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The crisis rocking the Allied People's Movement (APM) has deepened as aggrieved members filed two separate suits before the Federal High Court in Ibadan over the party's leadership and candidate selection processes.
The cases, which came up before Justice Uche Agomoh on Thursday, were adjourned until September 21, 2026, for hearing.
In the first suit, 33 candidates led by Hon. Bisi Akande asked the court to stop the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) from monitoring any fresh APM primary election for the December local government polls in Oyo State.
The plaintiffs argued that they had already emerged as the party's candidates during a primary election held on August 3, 2026, and that their names had been duly submitted to OYSIEC.
They contended that conducting another primary would violate the party's guidelines, which prohibit the emergence of multiple candidates for the same position after a valid primary has been concluded.
In the second suit, APM Zonal Vice Chairman, Musibau Olayiwola, challenged the validity of the party's recent national convention held in Bauchi, seeking its nullification and the conduct of a fresh convention.
Olayiwola, through his lawyers, sued the APM, its National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, National Secretary Oyadeyi Ayodele Adebayo, the convention planning committee chairman and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He alleged that despite being elected at the party's zonal congress on May 23, 2026, he was denied nomination forms required for the ratification of his position at the national convention.
According to him, the action violated both the party's constitution and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, denying him the opportunity to participate fully in the convention.
Following the court session, counsel to the applicants, Monday Mawah, said the 33 candidates legitimately won the party's primary election and insisted that OYSIEC should not recognise or monitor any fresh exercise.
He maintained that the legal action was necessary to protect the rights of the candidates and ensure compliance with the party's constitution and electoral guidelines.
