Oyo ADC Governorship Primary: Stakeholders Demand Review of Result, Back Ilaka’s Appeal
Fresh controversy has emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition of party stakeholders, members and supporters has called for an immediate review of the party’s governorship primary election, insisting that the outcome announced by the electoral committee does not reflect the true wishes of party members.
The group, which addressed journalists in Ibadan, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the primary election that produced Chief Taofeek Adegoke as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The stakeholders argued that several concerns raised by party members regarding the collation and declaration of results deserve urgent attention from the party’s national leadership.
According to the concerned stakeholders, reports from several local government areas indicate that the results announced at the end of the exercise may not accurately reflect the votes cast by delegates. They maintained that the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process must be protected and called for a transparent review mechanism to address lingering grievances.
The development follows allegations by governorship aspirant, Chief Bisi Ilaka, who rejected the outcome of the primary and accused some party officials of manipulating results in parts of the state. Ilaka has maintained that discrepancies in the collation process affected the final outcome and has reportedly initiated the party’s appeal process to challenge the declared result.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved stakeholders, representatives of the group urged the national leadership of the ADC to thoroughly investigate the complaints and ensure that justice is done. They argued that allowing unresolved disputes to fester could weaken party cohesion and undermine confidence among members ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders further stated that their demand for a review should not be misconstrued as opposition to the party but rather as a commitment to safeguarding transparency, fairness, and internal democracy. They emphasized that the credibility of the ADC as a viable political alternative depends largely on its ability to conduct free, fair, and credible primary elections.
Meanwhile, party leaders are expected to consider petitions arising from the primary exercise through the appropriate internal channels. Political observers believe the manner in which the ADC handles the dispute could significantly influence party unity and electoral preparations in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
Chief Taofeek Adegoke was declared winner of the ADC governorship primary after polling the highest number of votes in the exercise. Following his emergence, he called on all party members and former contestants to unite behind the party’s collective ambition of providing an alternative platform for governance in Oyo State.
