AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere urges Osun APC leaders to follow due process for selecting APC senatorial candidates, rejecting the imposition of a consensus figure
All Progressives Congress aspirant AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere urged party leaders in Osun State to adhere strictly to due process during a stakeholder meeting in Iwo.
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Addressing a gathering of the Osun West Senatorial District leadership, the former federal lawmaker expressed deep dissatisfaction with attempts to bypass competitive internal elections in favour of an imposed nominee.
AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere, who previously represented the Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019, argued that selecting APC senatorial candidates must reflect the collective will of the rank and file.
He noted that initial directives from local leaders suggested only one nomination form would be available, a move he characterised as an unfair restriction of the democratic space.
A secondary highlight of the session occurred when fellow aspirant Peter Taiwo stood to bolster the call for transparency.
Peter Taiwo reminded the elders present that the Electoral Act and current party guidelines strictly require the written consent of all contestants before any consensus arrangement can be legally validated.
The National Working Committee of the party has reportedly issued a directive for a direct primary election to take place this coming Monday.
AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere emphasised that this high-level order supersedes any local preferences for a preferred candidate, ensuring that all APC senatorial candidates are chosen through a transparent ballot.
The meeting grew tense as AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere detailed how aspirants were initially discouraged from purchasing forms, only for the decision to be reversed following consultations with the party secretary.
He maintained that such inconsistency undermines the integrity of the political process and creates unnecessary friction within the district.
This formidable resistance from the aspirants has effectively stalled the announcement of a consensus figure in Osun West.
AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere urged his colleagues in other districts across the state to remain vigilant against similar attempts to deny them a fair contest in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
With the primary scheduled for Monday, supporters of the various contenders have begun intensive mobilisation across the local government areas.
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AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere concluded by stating that only a credible and inclusive primary can produce a candidate strong enough to secure victory for the party in the general polls.
