Interest groups within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have renewed calls for the party’s 2026 governorship ticket to be zoned to the Osun West Senatorial District.
The groups, The Progressive Frontliners (TPF) and the Coalition of Osun APC Interest Groups (COAIG), made their demand known in a joint press statement during their May monthly meeting held in Osogbo on Wednesday. The leaders expressed unwavering commitment to the political advancement of Osun West within the party’s framework.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Joint Coordinator Ademola Rukayat emphasized the growing calls for zoning the gubernatorial ticket to Osun West. “The agitation for zoning the gubernatorial ticket to Osun West is resounding with an intensity that demands the attention of our leaders. Osun West has paid its dues. Now is the time to allow the district to reclaim its rightful place in the governance of our state. We believe this step will help reposition the APC as the true party of fairness and justice,” Rukayat stated.
The coalition insisted that their demand is not borne out of animosity but rather a push to correct long-standing political imbalances and decades of marginalization. They noted that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Osun West has not produced a gubernatorial candidate under the APC banner, despite its loyalty and support.
Joint Coordinator Michael Idowu added, “As we approach 2026, it will be nearly thirty years of exclusion. This is not just an appeal; it is a demand for justice. This is not only a political move but a moral one, recognizing Osun West’s commitment to APC ideals. Let us seize this opportunity to correct history and reclaim Osun from the PDP.”
The groups directed their plea to key party figures, including President Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, whom they described as father figures in the APC. Joint Coordinator Samuel Iwolode stated, “We respectfully urge them to lend an ear to the earnest appeals of their children from Osun. The marginalization of Osun West significantly contributed to our electoral setbacks.”
They further urged national and state APC leaders to consider Osun West’s longstanding contributions to the party during discussions on the party’s future leadership in the state. According to the speakers, granting the governorship ticket to Osun West would symbolize inclusivity and justice within the APC, uniting party members and inspiring renewed loyalty across Osun State.
The gathering also served as a platform to express concerns over the party’s past electoral losses, which the groups attributed to internal marginalization. They vowed to continue their advocacy until their demands are addressed.
To formalize their request, the coalition submitted a letter to the Osun APC Secretariat, which was received by Aremu Tajudeen, the Director of Administration and Finance.
Meanwhile, DAILY POST previously reported that the APC National Secretariat and Senator Ajibola Basiru, who is also vying for the 2026 gubernatorial ticket, opposed zoning within the party. In a Facebook post on Monday, Basiru stated, “Zoning is not in our constitution. People should be free to contest. When you insist on zoning, aren’t you going to canvass votes in other zones whose aspirants you have denied? I’m not in support of zoning.”
