Coalition kicks over adoption of Gov Oyebanji as consensus candidate

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups (COCSG) has expressed concern over what it described as the lack of internal democracy in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the coalition said the developments in the state could undermine public […]

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups (COCSG) has expressed concern over what it described as the lack of internal democracy in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the coalition said the developments in the state could undermine public confidence in democratic processes if not addressed.

The President of the coalition, Comrade Oladimeji Olakunle Olatunji, said the group had observed “disturbing trends” in the build-up to the APC governorship primary election, particularly regarding the reported adoption of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as the party’s consensus candidate.

According to Olatunji, the coalition’s concern is not about personalities but about ensuring fairness, inclusiveness, and transparency in political party activities.

“We urge the APC leadership to uphold internal democracy and allow a level playing field for all aspirants,” he said. “Consensus must not replace due process.”

The coalition called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to intervene and ensure that the party’s internal mechanisms promote credibility and unity among members.

It also advised the party to review grievances arising from the nomination process and restore confidence among its members ahead of the polls.

“We call on the presidency and the party’s national leadership to ensure that Ekiti remains a model of democratic participation,” Olatunji added. “Democracy must be strengthened, not weakened, at the state level.”

The group further urged all political actors across the country to respect the rule of law, uphold transparency in party administration, and avoid actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic progress.

“If internal democracy fails within parties, national democracy suffers,” the coalition warned.

The press conference was attended by representatives of several member organizations, including the Social Transparency and Youth Leadership Advancement Initiative, Movement for Justice and Equity in Nigeria, Civil Society Transparency and Accountability Advocacy Centre, and Zero Tolerance Anti-Corruption Network.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the political process and advocating for fairness and accountability in governance.