A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and House of Representatives aspirant for the Oluyole Federal Constituency, Hon Abiodun Gbolagade, has asked the Federal High Court to determine the rightful winner of the party’s primary election.
This was as he insisted that he legitimately emerged victorious at the primary election while accusing the party of attempting to substitute his name with that of the incumbent lawmaker.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan on Friday, Gbolagade alleged that the serving member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, did not participate in the officially recognised direct primary conducted by the party but was later presented as the winner.
He maintained that the matter was now before the court and expressed confidence that the judiciary would restore what he described as his mandate.
According to him, he was persuaded by party leaders and stakeholders to contest after initially declining the offer, saying they believed he possessed the financial capacity, political structure and grassroots support required to rebuild the APC in Oluyole.
Gbolagade claimed that he invested heavily in revitalising the party by attracting new members, supporting party faithful with welfare packages and funding voter registration exercises across the constituency.
He alleged that before his involvement, attendance at party meetings had dwindled significantly, but that the APC later witnessed a resurgence in membership following his mobilisation efforts.
The aspirant said six contestants purchased nomination forms for the primary election after an attempt to produce a consensus candidate failed.
He explained that the party subsequently opted for a direct primary in line with the Electoral Act, where registered members queued behind their preferred aspirants at designated coalition centres.
According to him, the primary was conducted under the supervision of party officials and in the presence of security agencies, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Gbolagade claimed he polled 2,315 votes, while he alleged that Akande-Sadipe, who he insisted did not participate at the recognised venue, secured only 33 votes from what he described as an unauthorised exercise conducted elsewhere.
He further alleged that shortly after the exercise, online publications emerged declaring the incumbent lawmaker winner despite the official collation conducted at the APC party office.
The APC stalwart said the National Working Committee later directed that no state should announce primary results until the national leadership concluded its review.
He, however, expressed displeasure that nomination documents were subsequently issued to the incumbent lawmaker before the official release of the primary results.
Gbolagade disclosed that he had instituted legal action at the Federal High Court, challenging the development and seeking judicial interpretation of the party’s primary process.
He also alleged that court officials experienced difficulties serving court processes on the lawmaker, claiming efforts were being made to locate her for proper service.
Responding to questions from journalists, Gbolagade dismissed rumours that he and his supporters were planning to defect from the APC, insisting they remained committed to delivering victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
He said leaders of the APC in Oluyole had repeatedly appealed to the state and national leadership to respect what they described as the outcome of the constituency primary, warning that ignoring the wishes of party members could affect the party’s electoral fortunes.
Gbolagade maintained that while the legal process continues, he and his supporters would begin preparations for the general election, expressing optimism that the court would eventually affirm his candidacy.
The incumbent lawmaker, Akande-Sadipe, had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Likewise, the APC leadership had yet to issue an official statement on the claims. The dispute remains pending before the court.