• APC governorship aspirant Fatai Buhari declared support for direct primaries in Oyo State
• The senator stated that aspirants afraid of primaries were not fit to fly the party’s flag
• Oyo APC chairman Moses Adeyemo confirmed that the party may adopt direct primaries for the governorship ticket

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Fatai Buhari, has expressed confidence in the party’s planned governorship primary, declaring his readiness to contest alongside other aspirants in what he believes will be a transparent and peaceful process.

Buhari, who currently represents Oyo North Senatorial District in the Senate, made the declaration on Monday, May 11, during a meeting with the Oyo APC executive council led by the state chairman, Moses Adeyemo, at the party secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

Speaking during the meeting, the senator said the APC leadership had earned respect for its commitment to fairness and internal democracy.

“The leadership of APC is known and respected for the position I am occupying today as a result of my principles, competence and credibility, which are good enough to guarantee free and fair primaries in the state,” Buhari stated.

He also insisted that any aspirant unwilling to participate in an open contest should not aspire to lead the party into the governorship election.

“Any aspirant who is afraid of going into primaries with others is not competent to be the flag bearer of APC because the candidature of such a person cannot give the party the deserved victory in the general elections,” he added.

Earlier, Adeyemo disclosed that the party was preparing to conduct direct primaries in areas where consensus could not be achieved, including the governorship race.

According to him, the party had initially explored consensus arrangements but may now adopt direct primaries for some positions.

“We have already set machinery in motion to achieve consensus across the board, but reports available to me indicate that we may have to adopt the second option, which is direct primaries in certain cases, including the governorship ticket,” Adeyemo said.

The APC chairman assured aspirants of a credible process, stressing that fairness and constitutional democracy would guide the exercise.

Buhari, who described himself as one of the leading contenders among the 10 governorship aspirants screened by the party, said he possessed the experience and competence required to govern Oyo State successfully under the APC platform.

As part of his support for the party structure, the senator pledged to provide solar-powered lighting and computer systems for the APC secretariat.

He also donated N5 million to the state chapter of the party and an additional N2 million to members of the party executive.

Responding, Adeyemo commended Buhari for projects facilitated across Oyo North Senatorial District, especially within the Oke-Ogun axis, while appreciating his continued support for the party.

The meeting drew Buhari’s supporters and loyalists from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State.

Meanwhile, another APC governorship aspirant and former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, recently rejected claims that the party had adopted a consensus candidate.

Adelabu urged all aspirants to participate in the primary election process.

The controversy followed a stakeholders’ meeting where Sharafadeen Alli, the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, was reportedly announced as the consensus candidate.

Other aspirants, including former deputy governor Rauf Olaniyan and Akeem Agbaje, have also backed the call for direct primaries.

Sharafadeen Alli joins race for 2027 Oyo governorship election

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, had officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo State governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

According to him, the decision came after extensive consultations with party leaders, members and stakeholders across the state.

The lawmaker said his administration would prioritise sectors such as education and security if elected governor.