A former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be wary of any consensus arrangement that does not take cognisance of the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State in the 2027 governorship election.
He said the age-long injustice against the people of Oke Ogun must inform the choice of the party’s candidate in the 2027 election.
The former envoy, who is one of the leaders of the Ireakari Group, said that Oke Ogun, forming at least 31 percent of the voting population of Oyo State, coupled with having about 60 percent of the landmass of the state, deserves more reasonable consideration in the choice of who the flag bearer of the party is for the next governorship election.
Any consensus arrangement, Adesina stated, which creates impressions of exclusiveness, injustice, and lack of regards for the people of Oke-Ogun has the capacity to hurt the party in the general elections.
He added: “As loyal party people, as a progressive-minded populace, the people of Oke-Ogun cannot be against the party, especially with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the helm.
“However, after many decades of clear injustice and lopsidedness, it is only fair that the entire political establishment at all levels ponder how a people contributing about 31 percent of total voting population can continue to be sidelined persistently and endlessly.”
The former envoy, who is also a former Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian newspapers, said there are more than enough qualified and capable personalities in the APC from Oke-Ogun who can be considered as a consensus candidate for the party if, for once, according to him, the party wants to ensure justice and fair play.
He added: “I, on behalf of our people, appeal to the leadership of the party to look at this issue dispassionately and ensure that the people are not sidelined unjustly.”
Adesina, who is also one of the leaders of the Justice Forum in Oyo State, is the founder of Omi Aanu Foundation.
