Ilorin East APC Primary: Amb Ibrahim Olesin denies stepping down for for Qowiyy Olododo
Ambassador Ibrahim Tajudeen Shola Olesin, Ph.D, has strongly denied reports claiming that he stepped down for another aspirant, Qowiyy Olododo, in the ongoing APC primary process for Ilorin East.
In a statement released on Saturday Olesin described the reports as “false, childish, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead party members and the public.”
According to him, the photograph being circulated online as evidence of his withdrawal was taken during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by political leaders from Ilorin East amid the ongoing primary election process.
He explained that discussions at the meeting centered around alleged government support for another aspirant, adding that while he acknowledged that politics naturally involves interests, consultations, and alignments, he insisted that due process and the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be respected.
“I made it clear that I had no problem whatsoever with the interest of the governor,” he stated. “However, the right thing must be done in line with fairness, due process, and the constitution of our great party.”
Olesin questioned the timing of the alleged consensus arrangement, arguing that consensus could not be introduced after a direct primary process had already commenced across the constituency.
“If truly there was a pre-existing consensus arrangement, why was it not communicated before the commencement of the process and voting exercise?” he asked.
He further queried why aspirants were allowed to invest resources into the election process before any consensus arrangement was allegedly introduced on the day of the election.
The APC aspirant also dismissed claims that he withdrew from the race, insisting that no formal withdrawal letter existed to validate such allegations.
“At no point did I step down for anybody,” he declared. “Politics and party processes are guided by procedures, not rumours, social media propaganda, or political manipulation.”
Clarifying the context of the viral photograph, Olesin explained that aspirants from Ilorin East were merely encouraged to form a unity ring and pledge not to leave the party after the primary election, regardless of the outcome.
“That was the true context of the photograph now being deliberately misrepresented,” he said.
He also pointed out what he described as contradictions in the actions of those promoting the withdrawal narrative, noting that some individuals were simultaneously announcing election results while claiming there was a consensus arrangement.
“If truly there was a consensus and withdrawal, what results were then being declared from an election process?” he queried.
Olesin further maintained that the results being circulated in some quarters were “neither genuine nor a true reflection of the actual outcome from the field.”
While reaffirming his loyalty to the APC and support for the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he stressed that such loyalty should not be interpreted as withdrawal from the contest.
“By the grace of Almighty Allah, I remain fully in the contest,” he affirmed.
He urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and focused, while appreciating APC members, youths, women, elders, and stakeholders who participated in the exercise and supported his aspiration.
“The love and support shown across the wards demonstrate that this project truly belongs to the people,” he added.
Olesin concluded by thanking his supporters for their steadfastness and prayers, while praying for Allah’s blessings upon them.