The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has faulted reports in the media claiming that the party had picked a governorship candidate for the 2007 general election.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary in Oyo state, Olawale Sadare, the party described the orchestrated publication as speculative, false, and unnecessary.
Sadare said that a national newspaper and some online media outlets reported on Tuesday that some named individuals had been handpicked as the party’s consensus candidates in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states.
He said that the reports did not mention details of the personalities involved in the purported selection or the rationale behind it.
The Oyo APC appealed for calm among its members and supporters, promising that “constitutional and democratic procedures would be strictly followed when it is the appropriate time for all its 2027 election candidates to emerge.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we have no knowledge of any individual’s ambition as far as the 2027 elections are concerned.
“Our party has not started receiving letters of intent from willing contestants because it is not yet time.
“We are a party that conducts its activities in strict adherence to the rule of law as specified by the nation’s Constitution, Electoral Act, as well as the Constitution of our great party.
“We do not put the cart before the horse because we understand the terrain, and we shall not do anything capable of undermining democracy in the land.
“Therefore, we urge members of our great party and the general public to disregard the publication in its entirety.
“The story was the making of its author(s) as it did not emanate from us. INEC has released its guidelines for the 2027 polls, and we are being guided by it.”
According to him, the task before the party at the moment is the successful completion of the party’s congresses as it prepares for the National Convention coming up this weekend in Abuja.
Sadare emphasised that the only decision already made by Oyo APC was the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate.
He said that all eligible and qualified members of the party who aspire for political office in 2027 would be given an equal chance to pursue their ambition.
“We assure the citizenry that our candidates will be ones who can serve their best interest and deliver on their campaign promises,” Sadare stated.