Tension is rising among aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ibadan North Federal Constituency ticket in the August 16 bye-election over allegation that party leaders have concluded to impose Farouk Arisekola-Alao on others.
Other aspirants are boiling as they are interpreting the move as one which will deepen the division within the party and which may force many members out, and ultimately spell doom for the APC in the next general election.
The bye-election was necessitated by the demise of Hon. Olaide Akinremi who was re-elected in the 2023 election. He was a member of the APC.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed August 16 for the bye-election.
While the PDP has picked Mr Folajinmi Oyekunle in a consensus arrangement coordinated by Governor Seyi Makinde, APC is yet to hold its primary.
Newspeak reliably gathered that some of the aspirants have vowed to resist imposition in any form.
The state chairman of the party Alhaji Olaide Abass and some other members of the state executive met with the aspirants last week during which the party leader assured them of a level-playing ground. But it was learnt that some other leaders who are seen to be more influential are allegedly bent on imposing Arisekola-Alao.
Aspirants are pressing on regardless, believing that party leaders will see wisdom in embracing internal democracy.
The APC fixed the cost of intent form for House of Representatives ticket at N10 million.
A total of 19 aspirants are currently jostling for the ticket but it is unclear if all of them will obtain the form. They include a former two-time member of the Oyo State House of Assembly Hon. Segun Olaleye; Hon. Wale Olatunji; Mr Saidi Aderonmu ; Mr Idris Lapade; Mr Yinka Omikunle; Mrs Olamide Junaid; Mr Wasiu Emiola and Mr Farouk Arisekola-Alao.
Analysts believe that it will be beneficial for Oyo State APC to allow internal democracy in the bye-election, pointing out that it will boost the hope of many intending aspirants across the state of a good future in the party, particularly in the 2027 general election.
