Osun

APC Senatorial Aspirant Accused Of Paying ₦100m For Endorsement

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedMay 11, 2026

Reports have emerged that one of the senatorial aspirants in Osun West Senatorial District is facing mounting backlash after allegations emerged that he paid ₦100 million to some party chieftains to secure their endorsement ahead of the party’s primary election for the 2027 general elections.

Sources within the party told OSUN DEFENDER that the money, which was reportedly paid by a businessman in the area on behalf of the senatorial aspirant, was meant to facilitate a consensus arrangement that would see the aspirant emerge as the sole candidate without going through a primary.

However, discontent has grown after several ward and local government executives said they received nothing from the deal.

“The businessman gave ₦100 million to some senior party leaders to get them to endorse the aspirant. The deal was that it would be shared down to the local government level,” one of the sources who requested anonymity, said.

“We heard ₦100 million was brought for us, but none of us at the grassroots saw a kobo. Some people sat in the city and decided for everybody,” another source added.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the development has sparked anger among members who feel sidelined, with the sources saying those Local Government and Ward executives will not agree to the aspirant being the consensus candidate.

“This is not how party politics should work. You cannot collect money in our name and leave us empty-handed,” one of the aggrieved local government executives, who does not want his name in print for fear of intimidation, told OSUN DEFENDER.

OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that other aspirants in the race have rejected the purported endorsement, insisting that the party must conduct a transparent primary election.

Some of the aspirants who have obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms for Osun West Senatorial District include Prince Dotun Babayemi, Peter Ogundeji and Basheer Adewinbi Rtd.

“We are not against anyone contesting, but there must be a level playing field. Endorsement bought with money is not democracy,” one of the aspirants told OSUN DEFENDER.

The aspirant warned that any attempt to impose a candidate would backfire and might not bode well for the party in the August 15 gubernatorial election.

“If they think they can bypass the people and handpick a candidate, they are making a mistake. The people will resist it,” he added.

Another aspirant accused some party leaders of invoking the name of a serving minister to give legitimacy to the endorsement plot.

“They are going around saying the minister is backing this arrangement. That is not true. We are warning them to stop dragging the minister’s name into their plan,” the senatorial aspirant stated.

He added, “The minister is a national figure and should not be used to settle local scores. If anyone has evidence that the minister endorsed this, let them produce it.”

Meanwhile, a senior party chieftain, defended the move, saying consensus was a common practice to avoid rancorous primaries.

“Consensus is allowed in our constitution. If leaders agree on one candidate, it saves money and unites the party,” he said.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.