EXCLUSIVE: Fresh Tensions Rock Kwara APC Over Alleged Shoddy Primaries, Candidate Imposition

 

Fresh political tension has engulfed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State following allegations of candidate imposition and irregularities in the party’s ongoing primaries across the state.

Many party members and aspirants have reportedly expressed anger and dissatisfaction over the outcome of the primaries, alleging widespread manipulation and exclusion of genuine contestants from the process.

There were allegations of rigging across the three senatorial districts, with claims that preferred loyalists of influential party leaders were favoured for emergence.

As the APC conducts its primaries nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections, disturbing reports of alleged malpractices have continued to emerge from Kwara State, raising concerns about the integrity of the exercise and the party’s commitment to internal democracy.

Highly placed sources within the party alleged that certain stakeholders coordinated moves to influence outcomes in favour of “anointed” candidates, particularly aspirants believed to enjoy the backing of influential figures within the state leadership.

Although party members were seen queuing at several polling points during Saturday’s exercise, insiders alleged that the process did not reflect genuine voting in many areas. According to the sources, figures were allegedly allocated based on pre-arranged arrangements rather than actual votes cast.

Credible party insiders further claimed that, in some locations, no real elections took place, alleging that results were predetermined to favour aspirants described as loyalists of the Kwara APC State Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, despite the participation of several other contestants.

Videos and protests reportedly surfaced in some federal constituency primaries held over the weekend, with aggrieved party members alleging disenfranchisement and exclusion from the exercise.

Social media platforms were also flooded with videos showing protesting party members who claimed they were denied the opportunity to vote.

Eyewitnesses alleged that eligible voters were turned away in some wards, while figures were allegedly recorded in favour of preferred aspirants.

Sources alleged that the pattern was repeated across several wards and local governments in parts of the state.

One of the operational methods allegedly uncovered involved the use of unofficial documentation during collation.

According to party insiders, in several wards across the Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero/Ekiti and Oyun/Offa/Ifelodun federal constituencies, initial figures were allegedly written on plain sheets of paper or duplicate copies before being transferred to official APC result sheets at higher collation centres.

Senate Ticket Allegedly Under Fresh Plot
Further allegations emerged ahead of the senatorial primaries scheduled for Monday,

with sources claiming that similar tactics were being prepared for use in the contest.

According to the allegations, Prince Lekan Adewoye (LAF) was being positioned as the preferred beneficiary of the planned arrangements.

A source alleged that efforts were underway to distribute duplicate APC result sheets across various wards to facilitate the alteration and reallocation of figures in favour of preferred aspirants.

“They have identified those they consider threats and are doing everything possible to ensure duplicate copies of APC result sheets are distributed across wards on Monday.

Once results are submitted from the wards, figures may allegedly be reallocated in favour of preferred candidates,” the source claimed.

The source urged party stakeholders and agents to ensure that only official APC-coloured result sheets are used during the exercise and that all necessary signatures are obtained before results leave the wards.
Growing Concerns Over Party Unity

The allegations have heightened tension within the APC in Kwara South and parts of Kwara North, with concerns that the crisis could threaten the fragile unity within the party ahead of the general elections.

Some insiders warned that the primaries were increasingly becoming a battle for political dominance among powerful interests within the party, potentially undermining cohesion and confidence among grassroots members.

While national APC leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have consistently projected unity and peaceful democratic processes within the party, the allegations emerging from Kwara suggest deep internal dissatisfaction among some members.

As the primaries continue, attention remains focused on Kwara State, where observers say the credibility of the process and the party’s internal democratic culture are being closely scrutinised.

The report is based on multiple insider accounts and claims from party stakeholders across the state.

Fresh Allegations Trail APC Primary in Moro/Edu/Patigi Federal Constituency
Meanwhile, fresh allegations of irregularities have also emerged from the APC primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, in the Moro/Edu/Patigi Federal Constituency of Kwara State.

One of the aspirants alleged that no proper primary election took place in several wards across the constituency.

According to the allegations, there were no electoral officials physically present in many polling locations, while some party members were allegedly denied access to their membership slips and cards required for accreditation and voting.

It was further alleged that ward chairmen and some party elders independently decided the outcomes in certain areas.

Sources claimed that figures were allegedly written by ward officials and later taken to Bode Saadu for submission and collation, a development said to have generated dissatisfaction among party members and aspirants.

The only female aspirant in the race, Amasa Funmilayo Salamat (AFS), also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

Speaking on the development, she called for an investigation into the process.

“I strongly believe in democracy, fairness, transparency, and the Renewed Hope agenda of our administration. I respectfully appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to kindly intervene and investigate the conduct of the primary election in Moro, Edu and Patigi Federal Constituency to ensure justice and fairness for all aspirants and party members,” she said.