The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saki West, Saki East and ATISBO Federal Constituency has strongly refuted allegations of ticket hijack raised by one of the aspirants, describing the claims as baseless, misleading and a deliberate attempt to distort the facts surrounding the party’s primary process.
Reacting to the allegations, party leaders across the constituency insisted that the emergence of Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem, popularly known as Were, followed due process and reflected the overwhelming will of party members during the direct primary.
Speaking on behalf of the party, a top APC leader involved in the reconciliation process disclosed that the complainant, Ismail Adewoyin, was never fully integrated into the party’s structure and could not lay claim to a process he barely participated in.
“The truth must be told. He was never known as a committed party member. He only surfaced politically a few months before the primary after serving as Caretaker Committee Chairman of Saki Parapo. Politics is about structure, loyalty and long-term commitment, not opportunism,” the party source said.
The party maintained that Hon. Were remains the authentic choice of APC members across Saki West, Saki East and ATISBO, stressing that his victory at the primary was clear and undisputed by the majority of party faithful.
According to the source, attempts to portray the process as manipulated are part of what it described as a familiar pattern of “media warfare” and unsubstantiated claims aimed at creating unnecessary tension within the party.
“He is known for media battles and abstract assertions. But politics on the ground is different from propaganda. The party knows its members, and the members have spoken,” the source added.
The APC further clarified that during reconciliation meetings held after the primary, Ismail was not part of the core consultations because, according to party leaders, he had never genuinely identified with the APC family before the process.
“Reconciliation is for party stakeholders and aggrieved loyalists. You cannot suddenly appear and expect to take over a structure built by others over the years,” another party chieftain stated.
Party leaders also praised Hon. Were’s longstanding loyalty, grassroots engagement and contributions to the growth of the APC in Oke-Ogun, noting that his acceptance across the constituency remains unmatched.
They urged party members and the public to disregard what they called “false narratives” capable of causing division, emphasizing that the APC remains united and focused ahead of the general election.
The party reaffirmed its confidence in Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem as its candidate and called on all genuine members to close ranks and work for the collective success of the APC in the constituency.
