Deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Chief Niyi Aborisade, has confirmed that Dr Gbemileke Alagbe won the party’s governorship primary conducted across the 351 wards of the state on May 22, 2026, rejecting the alleged substitution of his name with that of Taofeek Adegboyega.
Aborisade, in a statement on Monday, described the primary as free and fair, saying it was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and that a Certified True Copy of the result was issued.
He expressed surprise that a group of people influenced by financial considerations approached INEC to substitute Alagbe’s name with that of Adegboyega, whom he said did not win the primary.
According to him, the development amounted to an attempt to undermine the democratic choice of ADC members who participated in the exercise.
Aborisade said: “I,Niyi Aborisade, confirm that Dr Gbemileke Alagbe won the gubernatorial primary election conducted throughout the 351 wards of Oyo State on May 22, 2026.
“The election was free and fair and witnessed by INEC, and a Certificate of True Copy was promptly issued.
“It now comes as a surprise that some group of people under the influence of money went to INEC to substitute the name of Dr Gbemileke Alagbe Eleniyan for Taofeek Adegboyega, who did not win the primary election.”
He described the substitution as “an assault on democracy” and an attempt to subvert the will of genuine party members.
Aborisade called on lovers of democracy and other stakeholders to intervene and ensure that justice was done promptly.
He urged stakeholders not to allow what he described as an attempt to undermine the electoral process to prevail, stressing that the wishes of party members must be respected.
“This is an assault on democracy to subvert the will of the genuine party members. We invite all lovers of democracy to intervene and see that justice is done promptly,” he said.
Aborisade also urged the relevant authorities to uphold the outcome of the primary, warning that allowing the substitution to stand would send a wrong signal about internal party democracy and respect for the choices of party members.
He said the will of the people should not be sacrificed for personal or financial interests, adding that all stakeholders had a responsibility to defend democratic values.
He also appealed to Nigerians who value democracy to speak out against actions capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
