As political alignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders from Ifelodun, Boripe and Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, collectively known as IBO Federal Constituency, have called for equity and balance in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Osun Central.
The stakeholders argued that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, other federal constituencies within Osun Central Senatorial District have produced senators under the progressive platform, while IBO has yet to occupy the position despite its consistent support for the party.
Findings indicate that Osogbo Federal Constituency produced the late Senator Bayo Salami and the current APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, while Ila Federal Constituency produced Senator Sola Adeyeye, who served for eight years, and is currently represented by Senator Olubiyi Ajagunla.
They noted that IBO Federal Constituency, comprising three local government areas, remains the only bloc in the district yet to produce a senator on the platform of the progressive party.
A party chieftain from Iragbiji described the development as a matter of fairness, stating that the constituency has consistently delivered votes for the party from the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) through the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and now the APC.
According to the Chieftain, “This is not just about politics; it is about fairness and reward for loyalty,”
“IBO Federal Constituency has always delivered for the progressives. From AD to AC, ACN, and now APC, our people have stood firm. It is only just and equitable that 2027 becomes our turn to produce the next Senator for Osun Central.”
The stakeholders maintained that zoning the 2027 senatorial ticket to IBO would address perceived imbalance and strengthen the party’s base in the constituency.
They added that the constituency boasts of qualified and experienced party members capable of providing effective representation at the National Assembly, citing Barrister Yomi Ogunwale as one of the prominent aspirants.
The group further urged the leadership of the APC at both state and national levels to consider allocating the senatorial ticket to IBO Federal Constituency as part of efforts to promote inclusiveness and internal party cohesion.
They stressed that the demand is not targeted against any individual or constituency but aimed at ensuring fairness, justice, and sustainable unity within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to group, “Osun Central cannot continue to preach equity while practicing exclusion. The time has come for IBO Federal Constituency to take its rightful place.
We have competent, tested, and loyal party men and women who can give quality representation at the Senate, Among the leading aspirant is BARR. YOMI OGUNWALE, a dedicated party man and aspirant for the Osun Central Senatorial District, who has consistently contributed to the growth of our party and possesses the capacity to deliver quality representation,”
