Abiodun Gbolagade has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for Oluyole Federal Constituency of Oyo State after securing a decisive victory in all the 10 wards in the constituency.
The APC on Saturday commenced its primaries for the 2027 general elections with contests for the House of Representatives seats across the country, days after the party concluded its screening exercise for aspirants seeking its tickets.
The Oluyole Federal Constituency, one of the closely watched contests in Oyo State, was keenly contested by ten aspirants but eventually produced a clear victory for the founder of one of the prestigious institutions in the state, further consolidating his popularity and credibility in the constituency.
Gbolagade defeated the serving member of the 10th National Assembly, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, former House of Representatives member, Hon. Olusumbo Olugbemi, Adewale Jide, Tajudeen Mumeen and other aspirants.
In the days leading to the primary election, all the aspirants clamoured for primary elections going by the rumoured consensus political arrangements to produce candidates.
The holding of the primary election was seen by party members as indication of a broad inclusiveness within the APC structure in the constituency ahead of the exercise.
Two days before the primary, a large constituency-wide protest gathering was organised to kick against alleged consensus with inadequate consultation and the 3rd term reelection bid of Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
At the protest, Oluyole constituents unanimously backed Mr. Gbolagade’s election bid, describing him as a grassroots man, responsive, development-driven and citing youth engagement and his visibility as reasons for their support to represent Oluyole Federal Constituency.
For Gbolagade, the victory marks successful attempt to represent the people of Oluyole Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
The House of Assembly aspirant for Oluyole Local Government under APC at the 2027 general election, Hon. Aare-Oke Aina sees the exercise as a contest widely viewed as a turning point in the Constituency.
Saturday’s victory will position Mr. Gbolagade as the APC candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election, pending ratification by the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The APC primaries are expected to continue in the coming days with Senate, State House of Assembly, governorship and presidential contests scheduled 18, 20, 21, 23 May, respectively.
