A former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, has cautioned that any consensus arrangement perceived as unjust or exclusionary could hurt the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Adesina warned that sidelining the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State in the party’s governorship selection process may have political consequences, stressing that long-standing grievances in the region should be addressed in the interest of fairness and party unity.
According to him, decades of perceived marginalisation of Oke-Ogun people must guide the APC’s decision when choosing its governorship candidate.
He noted that the region contributes a significant portion of the state’s voting strength and should not be overlooked.
“As loyal party members and progressives, the people of Oke-Ogun remain committed to the APC, particularly under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, after many years of injustice and lopsidedness, it is only fair for the political establishment to reflect on how a people contributing about 31 per cent of the voting population can continue to be sidelined,” Adesina said.
The former envoy, who also served as Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian, added that the APC has no shortage of credible and competent aspirants from Oke-Ogun who could emerge as consensus candidates if the party prioritises equity and justice.
He urged party leaders to handle the matter with objectivity and ensure inclusiveness in their decision-making process.
Adesina, a leader of the Justice Forum in Oyo State and founder of the Omi Aanu Foundation, further appealed to the APC leadership to consider the demographic and geographical significance of Oke-Ogun. He noted that the axis accounts for about 60 per cent of the landmass of Oyo State, reinforcing its strategic importance in the state’s political equation.
He concluded that giving Oke-Ogun a fair shot at the governorship ticket would not only correct historical imbalances but also strengthen the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections.
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