A confidential memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not conduct its House of Representatives primary election for the Ibadan-North Federal Constituency, which was set for July 19, 2025. The memo, dated July 21, 2025, and addressed to the Director of Election and Party Monitoring at INEC headquarters in Abuja, was signed by Rosemary Alaba Adeniyi, the Acting Administrative Secretary for the Commission’s Oyo State office.

The document explicitly confirms that the anticipated APC primary election did not occur. Furthermore, it noted that INEC officials were unable to monitor the election due to the party’s lack of compliance with prior notifications.

Another internal communication from Kehinde Omisile, Acting Head of the Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) department, reiterated that attempts to oversee the primary election were unsuccessful.

In a perplexing twist, sources indicate that INEC’s Oyo State office claimed ignorance of the memo, despite it being signed by a recognized official. This inconsistency raises serious questions about the transparency and coordination within the electoral body at the state level.

The revelation casts doubt on the legitimacy of any candidate the APC may declare as its representative for the upcoming bye-election in the constituency. It also intensifies scrutiny over the party’s internal electoral processes in Oyo State. Political analysts suggest that the leaked memo could spark legal challenges or calls for a new primary, especially if local stakeholders dispute the validity of any reported results.

As of now, there has been no official response from either the Oyo State chapter of the APC or the national leadership regarding these developments, nor has INEC headquarters issued a public statement addressing the leaked memo.