Oluwasegun Olaoye has rejected his loss in the APC primary election. The aspirant contested for the Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero/Isin Federal Constituency ticket.
In a petition to party National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, Olaoye claimed no valid primary was held. He said the exercise violated basic democratic principles.
Copies went to the state chairman and the appeal committee. Olaoye alleged serious breaches throughout the process.
"There was no proper accreditation of delegates," he noted in his complaint. Voting procedures weren't transparent either, according to him.
He added that result collation lacked the transparency required by party rules. Olaoye said the Electoral Act 2022 was also disregarded.
"The purported exercise fell far short of democratic standards," Olaoye stated. His words: "It does not reflect the genuine will of APC members."
Irregularities compromised the entire process, he alleged. Such flaws could damage the party's internal democracy, Olaoye warned.
Despite his loss, Olaoye insisted he remains loyal to the APC. He highlighted years of service to the party in Kwara State.
He founded Team Olaoye, described as the largest APC political group in the constituency. The organization represents one of Kwara South's strongest political structures.
A fair election would have produced different results, Olaoye believes. He claims widespread grassroots support among party members.
He's calling on the National Working Committee to cancel the May 16, 2026 primary. Olaoye wants a fresh election supervised directly by party headquarters.
Any new process must guarantee equal opportunities for all contestants. Proper accreditation, secure voting, and transparent tallying are essential, he said.
"I remain committed to the ideals and progress of our great party," Olaoye told supporters. He stressed his actions aim to protect internal democracy.
Party unity matters to him, according to his statement. Olaoye also believes clean primaries strengthen APC's election prospects.
"My appeal is driven solely by the need to uphold justice, fairness, and integrity," Olaoye added. His words emphasize commitment to party principles.
Meanwhile, APC National Chairman Prof Yilwatda addressed the primary disputes during a Lagos media session. He indicated the party has internal mechanisms for resolving such conflicts.
The chairman didn't elaborate on specific dispute-resolution procedures. His comments suggested the party takes grievances seriously.
Similar primary complaints have emerged in other states. Party leadership appears focused on managing the fallout.
