APC Urged to Halt Abiodun’s Senate Screening Over Alleged Oath, U.S. Criminal Record Court Case
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing mounting pressure not to allow Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, proceed to any senatorial screening process as a major legal challenge threatens to plunge the ruling party into fresh controversy over allegations of false declaration, perjury, and criminal concealment.
Fresh court filings before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, are seeking a declaration that Governor Abiodun be permanently disqualified from contesting any elective office in Nigeria over what applicants described as “serial lies under oath” and fraudulent misrepresentation in sworn documents submitted to public authorities.
The suit, instituted by civil society groups and rights advocates, places both the All Progressives Congress APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in what political observers describe as an “avoidable but dangerous dilemma.”
Analysts warn that allowing Abiodun to proceed for screening despite the pending allegations could expose APC to monumental disgrace if the court eventually rules against him.
According to political stakeholders monitoring the matter, the ruling party would be taking a reckless gamble by screening a candidate whose eligibility is under judicial scrutiny over allegations bordering on constitutional disqualification.
“If APC proceeds to screen him and the court later finds merit in the allegations, the party would suffer one of the most humiliating political embarrassments in recent history,” a source familiar with the proceedings said.
“The sensible thing is to suspend any screening or nomination process until the court determines his status.”
Court documents reportedly accuse the Ogun governor of:
Submitting contradictory educational qualifications in separate sworn declarations;
Claiming attendance at institutions allegedly found to be non-existent;
Omitting previously declared university records from later submissions;
Concealing an alleged 1986 criminal indictment and imprisonment in the United States over credit card fraud;
Attempting to suppress or seal records relating to the alleged criminal matter.
Particularly troubling to the applicants is the claim that a man bearing Abiodun’s exact name and date of birth was allegedly arrested in Miami-Dade, Florida, in November 1986, fingerprinted, linked to a secondary criminal identity, and jailed.
In a move that significantly raises the stakes, the applicants have formally served legal caveats on APC, INEC, and all major political parties warning them against recognizing, screening, clearing, or accepting nomination documents from Abiodun pending the determination of the suit.
Official acknowledgment stamps reportedly show that both APC and INEC received the notice in March 2026.
Legal experts say this means the party can no longer claim ignorance.
Party insiders argue that permitting Abiodun to go through screening under such heavy legal clouds would portray APC as indifferent to integrity and due diligence.
Any eventual disqualification could trigger avoidable nomination crises.
The party could face accusations of knowingly promoting a legally tainted candidate.
APC’s moral standing in future anti-corruption and credibility debates would be badly weakened.
The case is now expected to test not only Governor Abiodun’s political future, but also the willingness of APC and INEC to uphold constitutional and ethical standards in candidate selection.
For many within the party, the question is no longer whether the allegations are politically inconvenient—but whether APC can afford the shame of screening a man facing such grave accusations before the court has spoken.
As pressure mounts, party leaders are being urged to suspend any screening process involving Governor Abiodun until the judiciary delivers its verdict.
