PETITION EXPRESSING THE DISSATISFACTION OF CONCERNED MEMBERS OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) IN BORIPE/BOLUWADURO STATE CONSTITUENCY OVER THE ALLEGED IMPOSITION OF A CANDIDATE FOR THE FORTHCOMING STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION
The concerned members of our party youths, women and committed supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency, hereby write this to formally express our dissatisfaction, disappointment, and serious concern over the ongoing attempt by some influential leaders within the party to impose a particular aspirant as the APC flag bearer for the forthcoming State House of Assembly election.
This petition is written in the interest of fairness, justice, democracy, unity, and the continued electoral success of our great party within Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency and Osun State at large.
We wish to clearly state that our position is not motivated by hatred, personal attack, or disloyalty to the party leadership. Rather, our concern is rooted in our genuine desire to protect the future of APC within the constituency and prevent avoidable political errors that may lead to electoral defeat in the forthcoming election.
It has become increasingly disturbing that despite the presence of several qualified, experienced, loyal, and grassroots-oriented aspirants within the constituency, there are plans by some leaders to impose the son of one of our prominent political leaders as the party candidate without allowing a free, fair, transparent, and democratic primary election process.
This development has generated anger, disappointment, and frustration among party members across wards in Boripe/Boluwaduro Constituency. Many loyal members who have labored tirelessly for the growth and survival of APC over the years now feel sidelined, ignored, and disrespected.
Our major concern is that the aspirant being projected and allegedly imposed is not popular among the people of the constituency. He is neither politically grounded nor sufficiently known among party members and the electorate. Politics, especially at the constituency level, requires constant interaction with the people, familiarity with local challenges, active participation in community affairs, and long-standing political relationships. Unfortunately, the aspirant in question lacks these qualities.
Many party members and residents within the constituency do not know him personally. He is not familiar with the political terrain, local realities, and grassroots structure of Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency. This raises serious questions about his capacity to effectively represent the people and mobilize electoral support for APC during the election.
Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that the aspirant is based abroad and has spent most of his time outside the country. While there is nothing wrong with living abroad, leadership at the constituency level requires physical presence, accessibility, and constant engagement with the people. Our fear is that if such a person eventually secures the party ticket and wins the election, the constituency may not enjoy adequate representation because he may return abroad after the election or remain disconnected from the grassroots.
The people of Boripe/Boluwaduro deserve a representative who understands their daily struggles, attends local meetings, participates in community development activities, and remains physically available to the people at all times. Representation should not be reduced to occasional visits during election periods.
Another critical issue that cannot be ignored is the political history surrounding the aspirant’s father, whose influence is allegedly being used to push this imposition agenda. While we acknowledge the contributions of the elder statesman to the growth of the party over the years, it is important to state clearly that many members within the constituency feel aggrieved due to past political actions and decisions that negatively affected several loyal party members.
The reality on ground is that many people believe the elder leader has stepped on too many toes politically. Some members who were unfairly treated, marginalized, or denied opportunities in the past are still nursing bitterness and resentment. It is therefore dangerous for the party to assume that his political influence alone can guarantee victory for his son.
Politics is dynamic, and public sentiment matters greatly during elections. Many aggrieved members are already expressing dissatisfaction privately and openly. Some have threatened to work against the party if this imposition is allowed to stand. Others are considering supporting opposition parties as a form of protest and revenge against what they describe as continuous political domination and unfairness.
As loyal party members who genuinely care about APC, we cannot remain silent while our party is being pushed toward avoidable crisis and possible electoral failure. We strongly believe that forcing an unpopular candidate on party members and the electorate will weaken party unity, discourage loyal supporters, create internal rebellion, and ultimately jeopardize our chances during the election.
It is also important to emphasize that several aspirants have already purchased nomination forms, spent huge resources, consulted widely, and participated in all party processes in good faith. These aspirants have demonstrated commitment, loyalty, and respect for party procedures. They subjected themselves to screening and complied with all constitutional requirements of the party.
However, to the surprise of many party members, there are allegations that during a so-called mini-screening exercise organized by the Elders Committee, all aspirants were allegedly compelled and pressured to sign certain documents under unclear circumstances. Reports indicate that the Chairman of the Elders Committee insisted that all aspirants must sign the document without proper explanation or voluntary consent.
This action has raised serious concerns among party members because it contradicts democratic principles and fairness. We ask respectfully: how can aspirants who have invested their time, energy, and resources in the race suddenly be forced into accepting a predetermined arrangement without their consent?
How can a democratic political party that claims to uphold justice and fairness force a candidate upon aspirants and party members against their wishes?
Such actions create suspicion, distrust, and division within the party. It also sends a dangerous signal that the voices of ordinary party members no longer matter and that the wishes of a few powerful individuals have become superior to democratic processes.
We respectfully submit that imposition has never helped any political party. In many cases across the country, candidate imposition has led to internal crisis, court cases, defections, anti-party activities, and electoral defeat. APC must not repeat such mistakes within Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency.
The strength of our party lies in internal democracy, fairness, consultation, and equal opportunity for all members. Once these values are abandoned, party unity becomes difficult to sustain.
We therefore strongly appeal to the state leadership of APC, the national leadership, and all relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene in this matter before it escalates further.
The best and most acceptable solution is to allow all aspirants to participate in a free, fair, credible, transparent, and democratic primary election where party members can freely choose their preferred candidate without intimidation, manipulation, coercion, or interference.
Primary election remains the most democratic method of selecting candidates in any political party. It gives every aspirant equal opportunity, promotes transparency, strengthens party unity, and ensures that the eventual candidate emerges through the collective will of party members.
If the aspirant being promoted is truly popular and widely accepted as claimed by his supporters, then he should have no fear participating in a transparent primary election alongside other aspirants. Democracy thrives on competition, fairness, and the free choice of the people.
We also wish to remind the leadership of our great party that elections are won at the grassroots level. The people who vote during elections are ordinary citizens who understand local realities and know the candidates personally. Imposing an unpopular or unfamiliar candidate may lead to voter apathy, protest votes, internal sabotage, and eventual defeat at the polls.
At this crucial moment, APC cannot afford unnecessary internal crisis or division. The opposition parties are already waiting to take advantage of any mistake made by our party. Therefore, wisdom, fairness, and political maturity must guide every decision concerning candidate selection.
As concerned party members, we are committed to the unity, progress, and victory of APC in Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency. We remain loyal to the party and respectful of constituted authority. However, our loyalty should not be mistaken for silence in the face of injustice and actions capable of destroying the party’s electoral chances.
We therefore humbly call on the leadership of APC to:
1. Immediately stop any attempt to impose a candidate on the party.
2. Ensure that all aspirants are treated fairly and equally.
3. Investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged forced signing of documents during the mini-screening exercise.
4. Protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.
5. Conduct a free, fair, transparent, and credible primary election for all aspirants.
6. Allow party members to freely choose the most popular, competent, and electable candidate who can secure victory for APC in the forthcoming election.
We strongly believe that if justice, fairness, and democracy prevail, APC will emerge stronger, more united, and more prepared for victory in Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency.
In conclusion, we appeal passionately to the leadership of our great party not to ignore this piece. The future and electoral success of APC within the constituency depend greatly on the decisions taken at this critical period.
History will judge all of us based on whether we defended democracy, fairness, and the collective interest of the party or allowed personal interests to override the wishes of loyal party members.
We trust that the party leadership will act wisely, fairly, and promptly in order to preserve peace, unity, and victory within APC.
Thank you for your attention and anticipated intervention.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Members and Stakeholders
All Progressives Congress (APC)
Boripe/Boluwaduro State Constituency
Osun State
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