Abayomi Semako Hunye, a former Osun State commissioner and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused the party of imposing a candidate and failing to follow its internal procedures.
Hunye also challenged his alleged suspension from the party, saying he was never formally notified of the decision or given an opportunity to respond to any allegations against him.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Hunye said he had taken the APC’s governorship process to the Federal High Court and was waiting for the court to determine the rightful candidate.
According to him, the APC’s rules allow for arrangements such as consensus, concession or open voting, but he claimed that he was not involved in any agreement concerning the governorship ticket.
Hunye said aspirants involved in a consensus or concession arrangement were expected to agree to the process in writing.
He said, “The law allows concessions, arrangements, and open ballot. But in concessions and arrangements, those who have purchased forms and become aspirants must agree in writing. We are not invited. Nobody called me.”
The former commissioner also questioned the validity of his alleged suspension, saying he only learnt about it recently and had not received any official letter from the party.
He explained that the proper disciplinary process should begin with a written notice informing a member of the allegations against him. The member should then be given an opportunity to respond before a disciplinary committee considers the matter.
Hunye alleged that none of those steps was followed in his case.
“I was not informed. I just heard from the municipal person that I have been suspended since April. Where? Who gave me the letter? I haven’t received any letter,” he said.
He further questioned how the APC could have allowed him to participate in its governorship process if he had already been suspended.
Hunye said he obtained his nomination form from the party on April 28 and appeared before the screening committee on May 11, where he claimed he was cleared to contest.
“I went to the party on April 28 and picked my nomination form. On May 11, I was invited for screening. I went for the screening. The screening was done and I was cleared,” he said.
He maintained that his legal action was not simply because he lost a political contest, insisting that his demand was for fairness and adherence to due process.
“Basically, I want fairness and justice. I’ve been on this issue for the past 18 years. I’ve been contesting along with the people that I work with,” Hunye said.
According to him, his case has been before the Federal High Court for about three months, although it had yet to be heard at the time of the interview.
Hunye also defended his decision to continue displaying campaign posters, saying many people had already assumed that the APC’s governorship process had been concluded.
He admitted that the posters did not indicate that the matter was in court but said he was willing to make that clearer.
“I agree with you now that probably we should also include on the posters that I’m in the race and I’m in court,” he said.
The APC aspirant further alleged that he and some of his supporters had been subjected to harassment because of his opposition to the party’s process.
He claimed that some of his supporters were attacked, injured and taken to police stations during the primary process, adding that he had evidence to support his allegations.
Hunye also rejected claims that he belonged to a different faction of the APC, recalling that the party had previously had situations where members contested despite the existence of a consensus candidate.
He cited the period under former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, saying some party members obtained nomination forms and participated in the contest despite the emergence of a consensus candidate.
On possible reconciliation with the party’s preferred candidate, Yayi, Hunye said his concern was not about receiving an invitation but about ensuring fairness.
He also alleged that Yayi had previously advised him not to contest the governorship election.
Despite the dispute, Hunye said he would continue to support President Bola Tinubu and participate in political activities.
He stressed that he was not claiming to be the confirmed APC governorship candidate, but maintained that the court would ultimately determine who emerges from the disputed process.
“Once we are in court, the court will determine who becomes the candidate,” Hunye said.
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