A socio-political advocacy association, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has called for justice, equity and strategic foresight in the zoning arrangements of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ọ̀yọ́ State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, warning that a repeat of past political miscalculations could weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
The group, in a statement issued on March 3, 2026, signed by its National Chairman Engr. Dauda Olaifa, the association expressed deep concern over unfolding developments at the APC State Secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, particularly the constitution of an Adhoc Zoning Committee under Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle to allocate State Executive positions across the 33 local governments.
The association recalled that in 2019, internal dominance and political high-handedness — popularly described in Ọ̀yọ́ political lexicon as “jagbà” (forceful seizure of party structure) — fractured the party, leading to the marginalisation of the “Unity Forum” bloc, defections, and eventual electoral defeat. It noted that a similar approach during the 2023 State Congress triggered another avoidable crisis, resulting in further defections and weakening party cohesion at the polls.
According to the statement, credible information suggests renewed scheming to retain the APC State Chairmanship in Òkèògùn — not for equity, but as a calculated strategy to position a preferred candidate for Deputy Governorship, while the Governorship remains in Ìbádàn. The association described this as “transactional politics in recycled garments,” warning that such imbalance had previously cost the party dearly.
Historical Pattern of Leadership Distribution:
The association presented a historical breakdown of party leadership across political platforms since 1999, noting that Òkèògùn has produced several State Party Chairmen.
Under AD/APC:
i. Chief Michael Koleoso (Ṣakí, Òkèògùn – Ọ̀yọ́ North).
ii. Chief David Adesola (Ìgbòho, Òkèògùn – Ọ̀yọ́ North).
iii. Chief Samuel Farinu (Òyọ́ Central).
iv. Chief Akin Oke (Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ – Ọ̀yọ́ North).
v. Hon. Isaac Omodewu (Òtu, Òkèògùn – Ọ̀yọ́ North).
vi. Alhaji Olaide Abas (Ìbàràpá – Ọ̀yọ́ South).
Under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):
i. Mr. Jacob Adetoro (Ìgbẹ́tì, Òkèògùn – Ọ̀yọ́ North, factional chairman, 2017).
ii. Mr. Omokunmi Mustapha (Ìṣẹ́yìn, Òkèògùn – Ọ̀yọ́ North, factional chairman, 2017).
iii. Hon. Michael Okunlade (Ìgbòho, Òkèògùn – factional chairman, 2021).
iv. Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro (Òtu, Òkèògùn – Chairman, Makinde-aligned faction, 2021; re-elected 2025).
In the considered judgment of the leadership of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa — speaking as the authentic voice of bona fide indigenes of Òkèògùn at home and in the diaspora on political matters — the renewed attempt to site the Party Chairmanship in Òkèògùn is a calculated affront to the dignity of the people and the region, and the association unequivocally condemns Chief Alake’s move to accept the position yet again as an act of narrow self-interest and unbridled political greed.
The association further listed past Deputy Governors from Òkèògùn:
i. Engr. Hammed Gbadamosi (Ṣakí).
ii. Barr. Iyiola Oladokun (Adó-Àwáyè).
iii. Chief Moses Alake (Ọ̀gbọ̀ọ̀rọ̀).
iv. Engr. Rauf Olaniyan (Ìgbòho).
v. Barr. Bayo Lawal (Kìṣhí).
However, in contrast, since 1999, the Governorship of Ọ̀yọ́ State has been held predominantly by Ìbádàn indigenes:
i. Alhaji Lam Adesina – Ìbádàn.
ii. Senator Rashidi Ladoja – Ìbádàn (now Ọ̀lúbàdàn).
iii. Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala – Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́.
iv. Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi – Ìbádàn.
v. Engr. Seyi Makinde – Ìbádàn.
The association observed that Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ had had one opportunity to produce Governor by Providence. Òkèògùn — despite its electoral strength and loyalty — has never produced a Governor in the Fourth Republic. Ìbàràpá and Òyọ́ who are equally stakeholders in Ọ̀yọ̀ State politics have also never produced Governor.
Moreover, the four regions that have produced either only one occupant or none at all as the Governor have, for years, raised persistent and legitimate outcries of marginalisation, exclusion, and systemic neglect.
Electoral Strength and Constitutional Imperative:
Citing Section 14(3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which enshrines the Federal Character principle, the association described power rotation as a stabilising doctrine rather than a concession. It argued that political maturity across Nigeria has embraced rotational justice to preserve harmony and inclusion.
The statement emphasised that Òkèògùn has consistently demonstrated loyalty and sacrifice, recalling that Chief Michael Koleoso once stepped aside to enable Alhaji Lam Adesina, an Ìbádàn candidate, to emerge as the Governor in the interest of party unity.
Electoral data from the 2023 elections were also referenced, showing that Òkèògùn recorded 46.7% voting compliance, compared to Ìbádàn’s 22.6%, reinforcing the region’s strategic importance as the decisive electoral fulcrum of Ọ̀yọ́ politics.
Position and Recommendations:
To prevent another internal implosion within the APC, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa recommended:
1. That the zoning process must not be weaponised.
2. That the current Party Chairman from Ìbàràpá be allowed to continue his good work in the interest of balance.
3. That the 2027 Governorship ticket be zoned to Òkèògùn in the spirit of justice and strategic wisdom as this will enable rotational governorship to begin in earnest as it is in nearly all the states of Nigeria.
The association listed credible APC aspirants from Òkèògùn whom it described as competent and qualified:
1. Barr. Abdul-Raheem Bayo Shittu.
2. Engr. Rauf Olaniyan.
3. Dr. Gbenga Adegbola.
4. Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
5. Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye.
According to the association, each possesses the intellectual depth, administrative acumen, and political reach required to lead Ọ̀yọ́ State with distinction. The party is at liberty to grant its ticket to any among the aspirants who commands genuine, cross-regional acceptability and broad-based confidence across all five zones of the Pace Setter State, thereby strengthening unity, legitimacy, and electoral viability.
Strategic Alliance and Political Signal:
While affirming readiness to support the President’s second-term aspirations and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the association maintained that its commitment remains principled: it will support the political platform that offers Òkèògùn a fair opportunity to produce the next Governor.
“If denied within major parties, our people are prepared to realign strategically where justice is offered. This is not defiance; it is democratic self-determination,” the statement declared.
Historical Warning:
The group invoked history as a cautionary guide, recalling that between 1979 and 1982, Òkèògùn stood firmly with the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), but in 1983 defected en masse to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and voted for Victor Omololu Olunloyo of Ìbádàn geopolitical extraction following perceived marginalisation.
“That historic decision,” the statement noted, “was a principled stand — a collective assertion that no people should be perpetually sidelined in governance.”
The association concluded that 2027 presents a defining opportunity for courageous fairness, stressing that the stability and electoral viability of the APC in Ọ̀yọ́ State depend on equitable decisions taken today.
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