By Our Correspondent

National News – Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Fatai Buhari, has declared support for direct primaries ahead of the party’s governorship election.

Buhari made this known on Monday during a meeting with the Oyo APC executive council led by the state chairman, Moses Adeyemo, at the party secretariat in Ibadan.

He said the primary election process must be peaceful, transparent, free and credible to ensure fairness among all aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket.

The senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District stated that any aspirant afraid of facing other contenders in a direct primary should not emerge as the party’s flag bearer.

According to him, the APC leadership has built a reputation around fairness, competence and internal democracy.

Buhari explained that direct primaries would give party members the opportunity to decide who represents the APC in the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

During the meeting, Adeyemo confirmed that the party was preparing for free and fair direct primaries in areas where consensus could not be achieved.

He revealed that the APC had initially explored consensus arrangements but noted that direct primaries might become necessary for the governorship race and other contests.

He assured party members that all aspirants would receive equal treatment throughout the exercise.

Buhari also described himself as one of the leading governorship aspirants screened by the APC committee.

He promised to improve party administration by donating solar-powered lighting and computer systems to the state secretariat.

The lawmaker further donated N5 million to the Oyo APC and N2 million to members of the party executive.

The APC governorship race in Oyo State has continued to attract attention following disagreements over a proposed consensus arrangement involving Sharafadeen Alli.

Other aspirants, including Bayo Adelabu and Rauf Olaniyan, have also backed direct primaries.