Oke-Ogun canvasses for governorship ticket
An advocacy group calling for the zoning of the governorship seat to the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, egbe Àjosepo Fún Ìtesiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has rejected the zoning of the
An advocacy group calling for the zoning of the governorship seat to the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, egbe Àjosepo Fún Ìtesiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has rejected the zoning of the All Progressives Congress (APC) state chairmanship to the region, citing historical marginalisation and exclusion.
According to the group, Oke-Ogun has produced eight party chairmen since 1999, while other regions have held the position only once or twice.
The group made this known following the emergence of a former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, as the new chairman of the APC.
Adeyemo emerged at the congress held at the Liberty Stadium, Oke Ado, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The rejection is seen as a bold move by the region, which has long expressed concerns about marginalisation in Oyo State politics.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Dauda Olaifa, and Secretary, Favour Adewoyin, the group accused the APC of ignoring its earlier protest and demand for the governorship ticket instead of the party chairmanship.
The group argued that the region’s large indigenous population and electoral strength warrant the governorship seat, not just the party chairmanship.
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It listed credible aspirants from the region, including Bayo Shittu, Rauf Olaniyan, Dr. Gbenga Adegbola, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye.
The region’s leaders further argued that the party chairmanship is being used as a consolation prize, effectively blocking their path to the governorship.
“It is a clever ploy to sideline Oke-Ogun. We will not accept it. We want the governorship, not just the chairmanship,” the statement read.
The group also alleged that the APC’s decision to zone the party chairmanship to Oke-Ogun was intended to weaken the region’s chances of producing a governor in 2027.
“Oke-Ogun’s leaders are resolute and will support any political party that seeds its governorship ticket to one of their sons,” the statement added.
