The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has reportedly approached aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives aspirants in Oyo State amid discontent over the process that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections.
A stalwart of the APM in the state confirmed the alleged overtures, describing them as a normal political strategy to attract aggrieved members of rival parties.
He said political parties often sought to capitalise on internal disagreements within their opponents to strengthen their own ranks.
The development comes amid protests by a coalition of APC House of Representatives aspirants, who have faulted the emergence of candidates through what they described as a “unity list”.
The aspirants argued that the arrangement denied party members the opportunity to participate in transparent, credible and competitive primaries.
In a communiqué issued after consultations among its members and other stakeholders, the coalition called on the APC national leadership to review the process and establish a reconciliation mechanism to address the grievances.
However, a representative of the coalition reportedly reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and the Oyo State leadership of the APC, insisting that its complaints should not be interpreted as a decision to leave the party.
The representative expressed confidence that the party leadership would address the concerns in the interest of fairness, justice and unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition also warned against overlooking the political influence of the aggrieved aspirants, particularly their grassroots structures, supporters and contributions to the party’s mobilisation efforts across the state.
It maintained that its members had invested personal resources in party activities, community development initiatives, voter engagement and membership mobilisation, adding that their contributions should be recognised in the party’s electoral calculations.
The aspirants consequently called for an impartial review of the candidate-selection process and the establishment of a high-level reconciliation committee comprising respected party leaders acceptable to the affected stakeholders.
They also urged their supporters to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the party considers their demands.
The coalition maintained that its grievances were directed at the candidate-selection process rather than the APC itself, expressing concern that unresolved disputes could provide opposition parties with an opportunity to exploit divisions within the ruling party.
