Fresh crisis has erupted within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the disqualification of a member of the House of Representatives, Wole Oke, from participating in the party’s primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision, reportedly taken by the APC Screening Committee at the party’s national headquarters, is believed to have effectively ended Oke’s 24-year stay in the Green Chamber. Oke recently defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although details surrounding his appearance before the screening panel remained unclear as of Saturday, party sources disclosed that the disqualification was linked to the zoning arrangement within the Obokun-Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State.
A copy of the alleged disqualification memo said to have emanated from the screening committee was leaked to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, further fueling tensions within the party.
Some APC stakeholders in Abuja argued that the party’s ticket should be zoned to Oriade Local Government Area rather than Obokun, Oke’s home base, in the interest of fairness and political balance.
According to party insiders, news of the disqualification sparked jubilation among some members of the Osun APC who believed that Oke’s political dominance in the constituency should come to an end.
However, the development has reportedly created friction within the party after the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, was accused of backing Oke despite the position of the screening committee.
The move, sources said, triggered protests among party loyalists who warned that imposing Oke on the constituency could negatively affect the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.
Party sources further alleged that many APC members in Osun State now see Oke’s candidacy as a potential political burden capable of causing internal divisions ahead of the polls.
The aggrieved members consequently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and caution Oyetola in the interest of peace and unity within the party.
Meanwhile, Oke was recently appointed Director-General of the APC campaign team for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
The APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, is expected to face incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who is seeking re-election.