Governorship Aspirant Adewale Kareem Rejects Alleged Consensus Candidate In Oyo State APC Leadership Dispute

Dr. Adewale Kareem rejects the Oyo APC consensus candidate endorsement, demanding a transparent process and inclusive consultations for the governorship race.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Nation Newspaper

Internal Friction Over Governorship Endorsements

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State is facing internal dissent as governorship aspirant Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem publicly challenged the recent selection of a consensus candidate. In a statement released on Saturday, Kareem described the maneuver by certain party leaders as both alarming and troubling. He argued that the unilateral endorsement of a single individual effectively sidelines other legitimate contenders and violates the fundamental democratic norms that the party is expected to uphold during the primary season.

Defining The Parameters Of Genuine Consensus

Kareem maintained that a valid consensus arrangement must be the product of exhaustive and inclusive dialogue among all relevant stakeholders. He asserted that any decision made without broad consultation fails to meet the definition of a democratic agreement. By announcing a preferred candidate before the official process has gained momentum, Kareem believes the leadership is undermining the progressive values the APC claims to represent. He emphasized that a true consensus must emerge from collective agreement rather than executive imposition.

Commitment To Formal Party Procedures

The aspirant confirmed that he has already taken the formal step of purchasing the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms. Kareem argued that ignoring the contributions and efforts of aspirants who have followed official protocols is unjust to both the candidates and their supporters. He characterized the early endorsement as a form of backdoor politics that suggests the contest has been decided prematurely, thereby discouraging healthy competition and participation within the party ranks.