26/07/2026
PRESS CONFERENCE BY KWARA APC LIKE-MINDS, OFFA LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Theme:
A Call for Justice, Transparency, Fairness and Internal Democracy in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kwara State
PROTOCOL
We respectfully extend our warm greetings to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
We also salute the Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi; distinguished party leaders and stakeholders; members of the press; and all Nigerians following this briefing.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We welcome you to this important press conference convened by Kwara APC LIKE-MINDS, a platform of committed and loyal members of our great party who believe that truth, justice, fairness, transparency, and internal democracy are essential for the continued growth and success of the APC.
Let us state unequivocally that our movement is not against the APC. We are proud members of the party and remain committed to its ideals and electoral success. However, genuine loyalty requires us to speak whenever we believe that injustice, exclusion, or actions capable of weakening the party are taking place.
Today, we speak with a heavy heart over what we believe is the gradual erosion of internal democracy within our party, particularly in Offa Local Government and parts of Kwara State.
Our Concerns
The APC in Offa was built through the sacrifices, commitment, and hard work of thousands of loyal members. It does not belong to any individual or group of individuals. Every stakeholder, aspirant, youth, woman, elder, and party faithful deserves equal respect, equal opportunity, and fair treatment.
Sadly, many members have expressed dissatisfaction with recent developments. Rather than promoting unity, certain actions have created division, frustration, and a growing feeling of exclusion among party members.
We believe that personal interests, favoritism, and excessive political influence are gradually replacing the principles of fairness and collective leadership upon which our party was built.
The experience of the last local government chairmanship election should have served as a lesson to all of us. Instead of correcting past mistakes, many members fear that similar patterns are being repeated. If these concerns remain unaddressed, the party risks avoidable internal crises and electoral setbacks.
Questions Requiring Official Clarification
In the interest of accountability and transparency, we respectfully request official clarification on the following issues:
1. Is Arabinrin Taiye Omotosho of Essa/Shawo/Igbodun Constituency still serving as an appointee under the Offa Local Government Authority?
2. If yes, is she currently receiving salary or any other remuneration from the Local Government?
3. If applicable, when was her last salary or official remuneration paid?
These are straightforward questions whose answers will help clear public speculation and strengthen confidence among party members.
Concerns Over the APC Primary Election
The APC primary election for the Essa/Shawo/Igbodun State Constituency featured several distinguished and qualified aspirants, including:
- Hon. Abdulwaheed Gbenga Yusuf (JK)
- Hon. Sharafadeen Babatunde Oladapo (Laka)
- Hon. Sefiu Sempe Royal
- Hon. Adebisi Oroye
- Hon. Bolaji BJ
- Hon. Hammed Omu-Iyadun (Mobikita)
- Hon. Taiye Omotosho
Considering the quality and contributions of these aspirants, many party members have continued to raise concerns about the process that eventually produced the party's candidate.
We therefore respectfully ask the party leadership:
- What criteria were adopted for the screening exercise?
- Who constituted the screening committee?
- Why was only one aspirant reportedly cleared initially before others were later cleared shortly before the primary election?
- Were all aspirants treated fairly and equally throughout the process?
These are legitimate questions deserving honest and transparent answers.
We have heard arguments that the eventual candidate emerged because of loyalty to the party. If loyalty is indeed the standard, then many members wonder whether the other aspirants—who have equally invested their time, resources, and commitment in building the APC—were considered less loyal.
Many members also observe that Hon. Taiye Omotosho has benefited from several opportunities within the party, including appointment to the Board of the Kwara State Water Corporation, a ₦1.8 million empowerment programme, donation of a vehicle by Hon. Tijjani, Hajj sponsorship, and appointment as a Supervisory Councillor.
While we have no objection to rewarding dedicated party members, we believe opportunities should be distributed fairly so that more loyal members are encouraged and confidence in the party continues to grow.
Merit Must Always Come First
Offa Local Government is blessed with highly accomplished sons and daughters, including professors, medical professionals, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, academics, and experienced public servants.
Our party should always present candidates based on competence, credibility, capacity, integrity, and public acceptance.
Merit, fairness, and due process must remain the foundation of our internal democratic process.
End Intimidation and Promote Internal Democracy
We are concerned by reports from members who believe they face intimidation simply for expressing differing opinions or raising genuine concerns.
Constructive criticism should never be treated as rebellion. Every strong democratic institution grows stronger when members are free to express themselves respectfully.
We therefore urge the State Chairman and all party leaders to ensure that official party affairs are conducted through recognized party structures while protecting the rights of every member to participate without fear.
Reconciliation Must Be Genuine
We commend every aspirant who openly expressed concerns during the reconciliation meetings.
However, reconciliation can only succeed when every aggrieved member is given a fair hearing and genuine assurance that justice, fairness, and equity will prevail.
True reconciliation cannot exist where people feel ignored or excluded.
Ojomu/Balogun Constituency
We congratulate Hon. Seun Ogunniyi Adato on his emergence as the APC candidate for Ojomu/Balogun Constituency.
We wish him success and encourage him to make his next tenure one of exceptional performance, quality representation, and impactful constituency service.
Peaceful Rally and Solidarity March
Kwara APC LIKE-MINDS hereby announces a Peaceful Rally and Solidarity March in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and in affirmation of democratic values, justice, fairness, transparency, and internal democracy.
The rally is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
We call on all participants to remain peaceful, orderly, responsible, and law-abiding throughout the exercise.
Our objective is to demonstrate our unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our commitment to democracy, and our desire for a stronger, more united APC built on justice and fairness.
Our Position
We firmly believe this is the time for APC members across Offa and Kwara State to stand together in defense of justice, transparency, fairness, and internal democracy.
History has consistently shown that those who speak for justice may face criticism today but are often vindicated tomorrow.
We therefore call on the leadership of our great party to engage sincerely with aggrieved members, encourage open dialogue, restore confidence, and strengthen unity through fairness and equal opportunity.
Our movement is not a rebellion.
It is a patriotic call for reform.
It is a sincere appeal for accountability.
It is a demand for internal democracy.
It is a commitment to the continued growth and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress.
Together, we can build a stronger APC founded on justice, equity, transparency, and collective leadership.
May God bless the All Progressives Congress.
May God bless Offa Local Government.
May God bless Kwara State.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
