Growing concerns have continued to trail the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kwara State as party members and stakeholders accuse the State Chairman of the party, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, of allegedly compromising the integrity of the process through actions perceived to favour selected aspirants across the state.
The allegations have become particularly pronounced within Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency where several stakeholders claim that the State Chairman has been deeply linked to many of the controversies and irregularities reported during the primaries, especially allegations surrounding attempts to influence outcomes in favour of Hon. Gani Abolarin.
Party faithfuls across the constituency have expressed disappointment over what they describe as the inappropriate use of party structures and influence to allegedly manipulate internal democratic processes rather than guarantee fairness and transparency for all aspirants participating in the exercise.
Stakeholders insist that as the APC State Chairman, Prince Fagbemi occupies a sensitive leadership position that demands neutrality, fairness and equal treatment of all party members irrespective of political alignments or personal interests.
According to concerned members, the growing perception that the party leadership may be taking sides in critical contests threatens the unity, credibility and stability of the APC at a time when the party is expected to consolidate support ahead of future elections.
Several party leaders and grassroots mobilizers have therefore called on Prince Fagbemi to exercise caution and rise above partisan interests within the party by allowing due process, transparency and the genuine wishes of party members to prevail throughout the ongoing primaries.
They warned that continued allegations of interference, result manipulation and preferential treatment of selected aspirants could deepen internal divisions and weaken public confidence in the APC’s commitment to democratic values.
The stakeholders further lamented what they described as the increasing entanglement of the party leadership in controversies and politically damaging scandals capable of undermining the growth and long-term stability of the APC in Kwara State.
As collation and announcement of results continue across the 193 wards involved in the APC House of Representatives Primaries held yesterday, party members have maintained that their only expectation is for the party to uphold the will of delegates and grassroots supporters by declaring only aspirants who genuinely emerged through transparent and credible processes.
Observers within the party have also stressed that the manner in which the APC handles the current controversies will significantly shape public trust ahead of the forthcoming Senatorial, House of Assembly and Governorship Primaries in the state.
They noted that while APC primary elections in several other states of the federation have largely been adjudged peaceful and credible, the party in Kwara must urgently take corrective steps to reassure members that fairness, justice and internal democracy will not be sacrificed for political convenience.
Party members are therefore calling on the national leadership of the APC and relevant appeal committees to closely monitor developments in Kwara State and ensure that all reported irregularities are thoroughly investigated in order to preserve party unity and strengthen confidence in the democratic process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
