Scores of members of the All Progressives Congress in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the party’s secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital, demanding adherence to the existing rotational arrangement.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as “No Going Back, It’s Akinyele’s Turn,” “Imposition Leads to Failure,” and “It’s Akinyele’s Turn: Let’s Make Peace,” urged the party leadership to respect the zoning agreement in selecting its candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abdul-Akeem Mosafejo, Fausat Ajibade, and Taofeek Kasali called on the APC State Executive Council to urgently intervene in the matter.
Mosafejo said the protest was against the alleged plan to impose a candidate from Lagelu Local Government, contrary to the long-standing rotation principle.
“We are here to stage a peaceful protest over the alleged imposition of a candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in 2027. For over 20 years, our leaders established a rotational arrangement based on a four-year interval.
“If a representative emerges from Akinyele in one term, it shifts to Lagelu in the next. This has been the practice since 1999, from the time of leaders like Segun Alli, Olu Akintola, Tayo Sarumi, and the late Olatoye Temitope, popularly known as Sugar.
“It is now Akinyele’s turn, and we are not in support of any attempt to impose a candidate from Lagelu,” he said.
Ajibade also warned that any attempt to sideline Akinyele could affect the party’s chances in the 2027 elections.
“We are appealing to our leaders not to impose any candidate on us. We do not want consensus; we want the existing rotational arrangement to be maintained. Failure to do so may jeopardise the party’s chances in Akinyele in 2027,” she said.
Similarly, Kasali stressed that Akinyele had supported Lagelu since 1999 and deserved its turn.
“We don’t understand why the party wants to deviate from the established arrangement. For the party to succeed in 2027, the right thing must be done,” he said.
Addressing the protesters, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, urged them to remain calm and committed to the party, assuring them that their grievances would be addressed.
“The two local governments must work together for the success of the party in 2027. I assure you that the party will look into your concerns and respond accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, aspirants from Akinyele Local Government, in a letter addressed to the state APC Chairman, Moses Adeyemo, reiterated their demand for adherence to the rotation principle.
The letter, signed by Adigun Abiodun, Sulaiman Ajibade, Olumide Alli, Bolaji Badmus, and AbdulWasiu Ajao, among others, stated that it was Akinyele’s turn to produce the party’s candidate for the constituency.
“Based on the existing rotational arrangement, it is the turn of Akinyele to produce the APC candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
“The current situation has raised serious concerns that this agreement may not be honoured, with indications that the incumbent from Lagelu may be allowed to continue in office,” the letter read.
The aspirants warned that failure to uphold the arrangement could erode trust in the party’s internal processes and weaken grassroots support.
“We respectfully request clarity on the party’s position regarding the rotation. Adherence to established agreements will reinforce confidence and strengthen our collective pursuit of victory,” they added.
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