The direct primary for the Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency in Oyo State recorded a largely peaceful process in Ibarapa North Local Government Area today, culminating in a decisive landslide victory for Engr. Saheed Adeyemi Oladele, popularly known as SAO.

Delegates and party members in Ibarapa North turned out in significant numbers at the designated voting centres, where the exercise was conducted in an orderly, transparent, and violence-free atmosphere. Adequate security arrangements helped ensure smooth proceedings, allowing participants to cast their votes without any reported disruptions.

Results from Ibarapa North showed Engr. Saheed Oladele winning convincingly with an overwhelming majority. His victory was underpinned by the strong, unanimous endorsement from major stakeholders, traditional leaders, and political heavyweights across Ibarapaland. These leaders had publicly declared their unparalleled support for the Ayete-born son of Ibarapa North as the preferred choice for the federal constituency seat.

Stakeholders praised Engr. SAO’s track record, accessibility, and commitment to addressing the developmental challenges of the area, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment. His emergence is seen by many as a reflection of genuine grassroots consensus in Ibarapa North.

However, while the process in Ibarapa North was widely acknowledged as a credible direct primary, reports from Ibarapa Central have been met with uncertainty and conflicting narratives. Some accounts describe the exercise there as a properly conducted direct primary, while others claim it adopted a consensus arrangement or even involved parallel processes. These varying claims have raised questions about the legitimacy and veracity of the proceedings in that local government, with concerns over procedural irregularities being voiced by certain party members and observers.

Party officials have yet to issue a comprehensive official statement reconciling the outcomes from both local governments. As anticipation builds for the full collation and declaration, many in Ibarapaland are watching closely to see how the party leadership will address the reported discrepancies in Ibarapa Central while building on the peaceful and decisive outcome in Ibarapa North.

Engr. Saheed Oladele’s strong performance in Ibarapa North has positioned him favourably, with supporters expressing optimism that his landslide mandate there will significantly influence the overall candidacy for the Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Further updates on the harmonization of results and the party’s final position are expected soon.