Tension, Chaos, and Blame: How APC Primary Turned Violent in Ibadan North
Tension, Chaos, and Blame: How APC Primary Turned Violent in Ibadan North
…Nine Aspirants Reject Results
…Ex-Chairman Idris Lapade Reportedly Attacked
A major crisis has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conduct of its primary election for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election. Nine aspirants have rejected the outcome, citing widespread irregularities.
Eagles Sight News reports that the controversial primary, held on Sunday under heavy security, was fraught with accusations of manipulation, violence, and favoritism. The process, according to the aggrieved aspirants, was marred by undue interference from influential party figures, including allegations that the exercise was hijacked by a serving public official with links to the national leadership of the party.
Tensions reached a climax when a leading aspirant and former Ibadan North Local Government Chairman, Idris Lapade, was reportedly assaulted during a heated exchange over the credibility of the delegate list. Eyewitnesses alleged that Lapade was struck with a substance suspected to be a local charm, collapsing in visible pain before being rushed to the hospital.
“It was disgraceful. We were expecting a peaceful and transparent process, but what played out was utter chaos,” a delegate at the venue lamented.
The aspirants, angry over what they described as a “sham” process, accused the APC State Executive Committee of complicity, claiming that the delegate lists had been tampered with and that the process lacked fairness and transparency. “It’s disheartening to see our party become a tool in the hands of a few,” one of the aspirants stated.
They vowed to petition the national leadership of the APC and pursue all legal means to challenge the outcome. The discontent has further deepened internal divisions within the party, which has struggled to remain united since its loss of the Oyo governorship seat in 2019.
Factionalism remains a major issue, with the APC in Oyo State splintered among supporters of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, 2023 governorship candidate Senator Teslim Folarin, and the current Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu. The Ibadan North debacle appears to be the latest manifestation of this prolonged internal wrangling.
With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduling the by-election for August 16, 2025, political observers warn that the APC risks further setbacks if the crisis is not resolved swiftly.
Eagles Sight News understands that Security around Ibadan North has been tightened to prevent further unrest, while efforts are reportedly underway by party elders to reconcile the aggrieved factions. Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC is said to be considering options, including the possibility of a rerun or adopting a consensus candidate if the dispute remains unresolved.
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