ABUJA: Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have called on the party’s leadership to zone the 2027 governorship ticket to the Oke-Ogun axis to ensure what they described as a decisive electoral victory.
The stakeholders, under the aegis of “Tinubu Authentic Time for Grassroots Connect,” made the call at a news conference in collaboration with the “Concerned Oyo Citizens” in Abuja on Monday.
National Coordinator of the group, Mr Musibau Oladipo, said the proposal was a strategic move aimed at ending the nearly eight-year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and returning Oyo to the progressive fold.
He said the stakeholders believed that zoning the governorship to Oke-Ogun would energise the party’s base and send a strong message of fairness, renewal and balanced representation across the state.
“Following extensive consultations, community engagements and political assessments across the state, we have reached a firm and strategic conclusion.
“For APC to secure a decisive and unifying victory in the 2027 governorship election, the gubernatorial ticket should be zoned outside Ibadan, with serious and deliberate consideration given to Oke-Ogun.
“This position is not based on sentiment but on political reality and electoral arithmetic.
“The Oke-Ogun axis represents a strong voting bloc and has consistently demonstrated loyalty and commitment to the progressive movement,” he said.
Oladipo argued that a fair zoning arrangement would address long-standing perceptions of marginalization, deepen internal cohesion and mobilise unprecedented grassroots support for the party.
He also linked the state’s internal zoning to the broader national interest, saying that a unified APC in Oyo would strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects in the state.
Oladipo said the zoning would position the APC for a comprehensive electoral victory.
“Equity strengthens loyalty; inclusion inspires sacrifice, and strategic justice secures victory,” he stated.
He urged Tinubu and the APC leadership in the state to pay close attention to the political dynamics in Oyo and guide the zoning process in a manner that would ensure electoral success and long-term stability for the party.
According to him, with the right strategy, Oyo could be secured for the president and the APC in 2027.
“If we truly desire an overwhelming victory in the 2027 general elections, zoning must be taken seriously.
“Oyo belongs to all of us. The state has produced capable leaders from different zones, and there are many qualified individuals from Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso and Oyo who have the capacity to lead the state effectively, just as Ibadan has done over the years,” he said.
While reaffirming the group’s commitment to equity, justice and fairness in political representation, Oladipo pledged continued grassroots mobilisation to support the party.
“Our resolve is unshaken. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that progressive politics returns to Oyo,” he added.
