An Osun APC group, the Osun West Senatorial Front (OWSF), has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the national and state levels to zone the party’s 2026 gubernatorial ticket to the Osun West Senatorial District.
During a press conference on Monday, Taiwo Adejumo, representing Egbedore Local Government, voiced the group’s appeal, emphasizing that while former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, holds the Right of First Refusal for the ticket, the party should consider Osun West should he opt not to run for re-election.
Adejumo stated, “Our advocacy is conditional on the decision of His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, regarding his participation in the 2026 election. Should he decide not to run, we urge the APC leadership to cede the ticket to Osun West for fairness and equitable representation.”
The group highlighted the historical lack of representation from Osun West in the governorship race, despite the district being the largest by population in the state. Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Osun West has not produced a governor, despite the APC governing the state for 16 years.
Adejumo referenced population data from the 2006 census, noting that Iwo Local Government, located in Osun West, is the most populous in the state with 191,348 residents. “Despite our consistent support for the APC, our district has been overlooked for governorship nominations,” he said.
The group also presented compelling evidence of Osun West’s unwavering support for the APC, citing the 2022 governorship election results. Osun West was instrumental in securing votes for the APC, even defeating the current governor, the PDP candidate, in six out of the ten local government areas within the district. Of the 343,945 votes received by President Bola Tinubu in Osun State, 102,826 came from Osun West.
In their appeal, the group urged prominent APC leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, Baba Bisi Akande, and Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, to consider the district’s plea. “Rewarding Osun West with the governorship ticket will not only reflect fairness but also strengthen the party’s progressive ideals in the state,” Adejumo concluded.
The Osun West Senatorial Front is advocating for zoning as a principle for equitable governance in the state, calling for the APC to prioritize fairness in its future gubernatorial nominations.
Comments