DO NOT GAMBLE WITH THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY OR THE INTEGRITY OF IBADAN’S TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS

To the National Leadership, South-West Leadership, and Oyo State Leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

This letter is written out of concern for the future of the APC in Oyo State, concern for the stability of the party’s electoral prospects, and concern for the integrity of one of the most respected traditional institutions in Yorubaland—the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system.

The APC today stands at an important crossroads. The 2027 governorship election in Oyo State will not be won by assumptions, internal manipulation, avoidable controversies, or political complacency. It will be won by discipline, transparency, strategic thinking, unity, and the presentation of a candidate capable of attracting broad public confidence. That is why many party members and observers are increasingly troubled by the uncertainty surrounding the governorship ticket and the growing controversy linked to the reported ambitions of Senator Sharafadeen Alli.

The issue is no longer merely about one aspirant. It is becoming a question of political judgment. It is becoming a question of party management. And most importantly, it is becoming a question of whether the APC is unintentionally allowing itself to become entangled in a controversy involving the Ibadan traditional institution.

The APC must understand that the public is watching. Party members are watching.
Opposition parties are watching. Traditional stakeholders are watching. And every day that uncertainty persists, speculation continues to grow.

One of the most damaging developments in politics is a vacuum of information. When leadership remains silent, rumours become facts in the minds of ordinary people. Today, many members are asking questions that deserve answers. Why has uncertainty persisted for so long? Why have rumours been allowed to flourish unchecked?
Why has there been no comprehensive clarification capable of ending speculation?
Why are party members receiving conflicting signals about the outcome of internal processes?

Whether these concerns are justified or not, the APC cannot afford to dismiss them.
Perception matters in politics. The opposition does not need facts to create narratives. They only need silence. And unfortunately, prolonged silence creates opportunities for damaging narratives to grow.

A particularly troubling aspect of the present controversy is its intersection with the Ibadan traditional chieftaincy system.
The APC must ask itself a fundamental question: Why should the party allow itself to be associated with a controversy that risks drawing traditional institutions into partisan political disputes? The Ibadan traditional system is one of the most respected succession structures in Nigeria. For generations, it has been admired for its years of predictability and stability. The APC gains nothing by appearing indifferent to public concerns regarding possible conflicts between active partisan ambitions and responsibilities within the traditional hierarchy. Even where no legal violation exists, the political consequences of public perception can be significant.

Elections are not won solely in courtrooms. They are won in the court of public opinion. The APC should therefore be deeply concerned about any development capable of creating doubts among voters regarding the party’s judgment.

The party’s primary objective should be to defeat the incumbent administration and offer Oyo State a credible alternative. That objective is already difficult enough. The ruling party controls the machinery of government. The ruling party enjoys the advantages of incumbency. The ruling party possesses significant political resources. Under such circumstances, the APC should be removing obstacles, not creating new ones. Unfortunately, many party members fear that unnecessary controversy is being allowed to overshadow the broader mission of winning power.

This concern becomes even more serious when viewed from a legal and electoral risk perspective.

Political history is filled with examples of candidates becoming trapped in avoidable litigation. Some parties have lost valuable time defending controversies that could have been prevented.Others have spent months fighting internal disputes instead of campaigning. Still others have watched opposition parties exploit procedural weaknesses to gain strategic advantages.

The APC must therefore ask itself: Why should the party knowingly expose itself to avoidable legal and political complications when alternative paths may exist? Politics is ultimately about risk management. Wise political parties minimise risk. Wise political parties avoid unnecessary uncertainty. Wise political parties do not gamble with positions they are struggling to win.

The governorship of Oyo State is too important to become the subject of avoidable experimentation. The APC cannot afford a situation where prolonged controversies weaken campaign momentum, divide party members, distract leadership, or provide opposition parties with opportunities to mount legal challenges.
Even if such challenges ultimately fail, the damage caused by months of uncertainty could still be substantial.

Time spent defending controversy is time not spent persuading voters. Time spent managing internal crises is time not spent building electoral coalitions. Time spent responding to allegations is time not spent exposing the failures of opponents. This is why many party faithful are calling for clarity, transparency, and strategic caution.

The APC is fortunate to have numerous experienced leaders, respected aspirants, accomplished professionals, and loyal party members who have invested years of their lives building the party. Many have remained committed during difficult periods. Many have sacrificed personal ambitions for party unity. Many have defended the party when victory appeared distant.Their investments deserve respect. Their concerns deserve consideration. Most importantly, the future of the party deserves protection.

This is not a time for emotional decision-making. This is not a time for political sentiment. This is not a time for personal loyalty to override strategic calculation. The APC must place the interests of the party above the ambitions of any individual. No aspirant is bigger than the party. No political figure is more important than the collective objective of returning the APC to power in Oyo State.

The leadership must therefore act decisively to restore confidence, eliminate uncertainty, and reassure members that competence, transparency, fairness, and electoral viability remain the guiding principles of the party.

History will not judge the APC by the rumours that circulated around this period. History will judge the APC by how it responded to them. The choice before the party is simple. Provide clarity or allow uncertainty to grow.
Protect the party from avoidable controversy or risk becoming consumed by it. Strengthen public confidence or allow public doubt to deepen.

The governorship election will already be difficult. There is no need to make it more difficult. The people of Oyo State deserve a strong opposition. The APC deserves a fair opportunity to compete. And the future of the party deserves decisions guided by wisdom rather than avoidable risk.

May prudence, transparency, and strategic foresight prevail.

Respectfully,

Concerned APC Stakeholders and Citizens of Oyo State