Oyo APC Reps aspirant steps down, cites party unity

By Adejayan Gbenga

Abdullah Bello, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in the Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo State, has withdrawn from the 2027 House of Representatives race and pledged his support for the party.

Bello announced his decision following a reconciliation meeting convened by the APC National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) with about 42 aspirants from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State.

He said the NWC acknowledged “manifest irregularities and injustices” in the nomination exercise and admitted that no candidate emerged through a credible and duly conducted process.

According to Bello, he told the meeting that there was neither a primary election nor a consensus arrangement for the House of Representatives and state House of Assembly positions in the old Irepo Federal Constituency.

Despite his concerns, Bello said consultations with party stakeholders, elders and grassroots leaders led him to place party unity and electoral victory above his personal ambition. He described his decision as an act of loyalty and discipline, insisting that his aspiration to serve the constituency had never been a do-or-die affair.

Bello, the managing director/chief cxecutive officer of Bellab Group and global president of the League of Progressive Youth, said he was “sheathing the sword” in deference to the intervention of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, while stressing that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as legitimising the alleged injustice.

He urged the APC national leadership to restore confidence among members, particularly youths, and rebuild trust and cohesion within the Oyo State chapter. Bello also dismissed speculation that he was planning to defect from the APC, declaring that his commitment to the party remained total.

He appealed to his supporters and loyalists to remain calm and avoid anti-party activities, saying politics should not become a platform for vengeance. Bello, who holds the chieftaincy title of Aare Fiwagboye of Oke-Odan, said he was ending the contest without conceding the alleged irregularities and would continue to uphold fairness, due process and democratic justice.