Tension over the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Oluyole Federal Constituency heightened on Tuesday as scores of party members and stakeholders staged a peaceful protest at the Oyo State APC Secretariat, Oke Ado, Ibadan, demanding the official recognition of Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade as the party’s candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The protesters, who converged on the state secretariat from different wards across Oluyole Local Government, carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, insisting that the party must uphold the outcome of the primary election by affirming Gbolagade’s victory.

‎Addressing journalists on behalf of the demonstrators, Mr. R. O. Adeleke said the protest was driven by a collective commitment to protecting the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.

“We are not here to cause trouble. We are here to defend the mandate freely given by APC members during the primary election. We believe the will of the Party faithful must be respected, and Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade should be affirmed as the duly elected candidate for Oluyole Federal Constituency,” he said.

‎The protesters maintained that the outcome of the primary reflected the wishes of party members at the grassroots, describing Gbolagade as a loyal party man whose commitment to strengthening the APC has earned him widespread support across the constituency.

“Hon. Gbolagade has remained with the party through difficult times. He has invested immensely in grassroots mobilisation, party welfare, reconciliation, and expansion. His victory at the primary was not accidental; it was the reward for years of dedication to the APC and its members,” another stakeholder stated.

‎They further argued that affirming the outcome of the primary would reinforce confidence in the party’s democratic institutions and reassure members that transparency and fairness remain the guiding principles of the APC.

Receiving the protesters, the Oyo State APC Chairman, Dr. Moses Alake Adeyemo, commended them for conducting themselves peacefully and assured them that the leadership of the party would give due consideration to their concerns.

‎”I commend you for expressing your grievances peacefully. Your message has been received, and I assure you that the party leadership will carefully review the issues raised. The APC remains committed to justice, fairness, and the unity of our great party,” the chairman said.

‎Dr. Adeyemo also acknowledged Gbolagade’s longstanding contributions to the party, describing him as a committed APC member who has consistently worked for the growth and stability of the party in Oluyole and Oyo State.