2027: Oyo APC members protest, demand rotation arrangement

In Oyo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing internal dissent as members from the Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency staged a protest to uphold a crucial rotational arrangement for candidate selection. This demonstration highlights a deep-seated concern among party faithful regarding fairness and adherence to established principles, particularly as the 2027 elections loom.

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We are here to stage a peaceful protest over the alleged imposition of a candidate for Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in 2027. For over 20 years, our leaders established a rotational arrangement based on a four-year interval.

The protesters, carrying placards that clearly articulated their demands, emphasized that a 20-year-old zoning agreement dictates that it is now Akinyele's turn to nominate the candidate for the House of Representatives. This arrangement, they argue, has been a cornerstone of party unity and electoral success since 1999, ensuring equitable representation between the two local government areas.

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It is now Akinyele’s turn, and we are not in support of any attempt to impose a candidate from Lagelu.

Their plea is not merely about a single election but about preserving the integrity of the party's internal democracy. The fear is that deviating from this established practice could lead to imposition, alienate a significant bloc of party members, and ultimately jeopardize the APC's electoral prospects in 2027. This internal struggle underscores the challenges of maintaining cohesion within a major political party in Nigeria, where local considerations and historical agreements often play a pivotal role in electoral calculations.

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We are appealing to our leaders not to impose any candidate on us. We do not want consensus; we want the existing rotational arrangement to be maintained. Failure to do so may jeopardise the party’s chances in Akinyele in 2027.

The response from the APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, offered a measure of reassurance, urging calm and promising that the party leadership would investigate the matter. However, the continued insistence from aspirants in a formal letter to the state chairman signals that this is far from a settled issue. The situation in Oyo APC serves as a microcosm of the broader political dynamics at play in Nigeria, where adherence to tradition and equitable power-sharing are as critical as broader national political currents.

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We don’t understand why the party wants to deviate from the established arrangement. For the party to succeed in 2027, the right thing must be done.