The All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun Central Senatorial District candidate, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, has said the emergence of legislative candidates in the party’s recent primaries was the product of internal democratic processes and not imposition of candidates by Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola or any individual.
Adegoke, popularly known as KRAD, stated this while apparently reacting to recent comments by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, popularly known as Ajagunla, who claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was willing to grant him an automatic return ticket to the Senate on the APC platform but that the former Osun State Governor and APC leader in the state, Gboyega Oyetola, opposed the arrangement.
According to Adegoke, the conduct and outcome of the APC primaries demonstrated that the party provided a platform for members seeking elective positions to test their popularity and accept the decision of the party members who voted in the direct primaries organized by APC.
He said, “the Osun APC primaries were an exercise in internal democracy. Candidates emerged through the processes established by the party, and those who participated had the opportunity to present themselves to the members of the party.”
Adegoke noted that political leaders naturally have the right to express their preferences and offer strategic advice within a political party, but such preferences should not be confused with the formal process through which candidates emerge.
He said Oyetola, as a leader of the party in Osun, allowed the process to run its course rather than substituting personal preference for the decision of party members and delegates.
“Alhaji Oyetola allowed internal democracy to prevail. He provided the leadership required for the party to conduct its primaries, but he did not replace the delegates or the electoral process.
“Where there is a primary election, there will naturally be expectations, preferences and political calculations. But the final outcome must be respected when it is produced through the established process.”
The APC candidate further said the emergence of candidates for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate should be viewed within the broader context of the party’s effort to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the primary election was not a contest between individuals but a process through which party members elected those they wanted to represent the party.
“Politics is about people. Every aspirant has supporters, every leader has opinions and every constituency has its own calculations. But at the end of the day, democracy requires that we allow the appropriate process to determine who carries the party’s flag. That is exactly what happened in Osun APC.”
Adegoke also said the APC must now move beyond the primary elections and concentrate on building a united campaign structure capable of presenting the party’s programmes and candidates to the people of Osun.
He called on all aspirants, party leaders and members who participated in the primaries to close ranks and work together for the success of the party.
“The primaries are over. The real work has started. We must now unite, reconcile where necessary and take our message to the people.
“Our responsibility is not merely to win a primary election but to build a stronger political organisation that can deliver effective representation and responsive governance.”
Adegoke expressed appreciation to APC members in Osun Central for their confidence in him, assuring that he would pursue a representation agenda centred on connecting the senatorial district to opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, education, employment, enterprise development and federal programmes.
He said his campaign would be based on issues, engagement and accountability, adding that every community within Osun Central deserved effective representation.
“Osun Central is bigger than any individual. The mandate is a responsibility and I intend to approach it with humility, diligence and a clear understanding of what our people expect from their representative.”
He therefore urged APC members to remain united and focused as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.