Tension erupted during the APC primary in Lagelu/Akinyele after party members rejected the controversial ‘Yes or No’ affirmation method
The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held for the Lagelu/Akinyele Federal Constituency in Oyo State on Saturday ended amid controversy after party members openly rejected the affirmation voting method used during the exercise.
The primary election, conducted at Ward 3, Olorunda Aba, was organised to select the APC candidate for the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party leaders, stakeholders, supporters, aspirants, and security personnel were present at the venue as activities began early in the morning.
Accreditation and registration of party members reportedly started around 7:30 a.m., while officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) monitored the exercise to maintain peace and order.
The election process officially commenced around 9:00 a.m. under the supervision of ward party executives.
However, tension surfaced shortly after the commencement of the exercise when party officials adopted a “Yes or No” affirmation system instead of the conventional ballot voting process.
The development immediately triggered complaints from some party members, who argued that the method lacked transparency and fairness.
The Lagelu/Akinyele APC primary later became a subject of heated debate among attendees, with several members insisting that proper voting procedures should have been followed to allow a credible and democratic process.
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During the exercise, the names of the three aspirants contesting for the APC ticket were announced individually, while members present at the venue were asked to publicly affirm or reject each aspirant through vocal responses.
Some members openly challenged the process and demanded a proper ballot system, arguing that the affirmation method did not reflect internal democracy.
Despite the protests, the exercise continued under the supervision of ward party executives and reportedly lasted only a few minutes.
At the end of the process, Hon. Lafioye Akinmoyede was declared winner of the House of Representatives primary election.
Supporters of the declared winner immediately celebrated the outcome, while some aggrieved party members rejected the process and described it as a predetermined exercise. The disagreement further intensified the growing APC primary controversy surrounding the conduct of the election.
Speaking with journalists after the exercise, Hon. Gafar and former Special Assistant to the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, Hon. Suleiman Fajobi, criticised the conduct of the primary election.
According to them, several APC members were allegedly denied full participation after their party registration cards were seized during the process. They claimed the action prevented some loyal members from taking part in the exercise.
The allegation sparked fresh reactions among party supporters and further deepened concerns over the credibility of the Oyo APC primary election.
Another development that attracted attention during the exercise was the alleged distribution of cash to some attendees after the primary election ended. Some party members who remained at the venue were reportedly seen receiving ₦2,000 each, allegedly as appreciation for their support and participation.
The situation added another layer to the growing affirmation voting controversy, as critics questioned the overall transparency of the process.
Despite the disagreements and complaints recorded during the exercise, the election eventually ended peacefully without any reported violence or security breach.
Political observers within the constituency believe the outcome of the House of Representatives primary may continue to generate discussions within the party in the coming days, especially among members dissatisfied with the affirmation voting system adopted during the exercise.
With preparations gradually intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, the controversy surrounding the Lagelu/Akinyele APC primary is expected to remain a major talking point within political circles across Oyo State.
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