Ibadan North Bye-Election: Oyo APC settles for Adewale Olatunji amid internal turmoil
Party Chairman presenting certificate to Olatunji
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has officially named Adewale Olatunji, popularly known as “Murphy,” as its candidate for the upcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election, following a week of internal wrangling, parallel primaries, and protests.
Olatunji’s emergence puts an end to the chaos surrounding the party’s failed July 19 primary, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was unable to monitor due to what it described as “disorganization and lack of a valid delegate congress.” INEC confirmed in a July 21 report that “all efforts to monitor the APC primary election proved abortive.”
The impasse saw multiple aspirants — including Olatunji, Farouk Arisekola, and Olusegun Olaleye (also known as “Radical Brother”) — declare victory at separate venues, sparking confusion and leading to protests at the party secretariat in Ibadan.
Despite the turbulence, the party met INEC’s July 28 deadline for candidate submission by affirming Olatunji’s candidacy through a Certificate of Return issued by the APC national secretariat.
At a brief ceremony held Monday at the party’s Oke-Ado office, Oyo APC Chairman, Pharmacist Olayide Abas, presented the certificate to Olatunji in the presence of party executives and loyalists from Ibadan North.
“In Ibadan North, the people have experienced both APC and PDP leadership,” said Abas. “Under APC, they’ve had better representation, particularly from the late Prince Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban). Murphy is ready to build on that legacy.”
Abas also took aim at the opposition, warning constituents to reject what he described as “deceitful political actors attempting to impose weak candidates” on the electorate.
In his acceptance speech, Olatunji acknowledged the crisis that trailed the selection process but pledged to unify all stakeholders.
“I will be a servant to all — both the party faithful and the electorate,” he said. “In 2003, I was denied through rigging. But I never gave up. Today, the chance to serve has come again.”
