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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Youth leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in five Local Government Areas of Osun State have claimed their signatures were forged in an advertisement asserting that the governorship ticket should be zoned to the West Senatorial District.
Protesting in Osogbo yesterday, youth leaders from Olaoluwa, Isokan, Ede North, Ede South, and Ayedire Local Governments declared that they did not consent to the publication.
Hon. Alimi Akande Bakare, one of the youth leaders, stated, “I heard that all youth leaders in Osun West met in Iwo to confirm that the governorship ticket should be zoned to the district, but that is false. Not all were present, and many signatures were forged.” He emphasised the need for the party to choose the best candidate, regardless of their district, to ensure victory in the upcoming 2026 elections.
Hon. Amos Adediran from Olaoluwa Local Government echoed Bakare’s sentiments, asserting, “It is misleading to claim that the next governor must come from the West. Osun State consists of three senatorial districts: Osun West, Osun East, and Osun Central. We need to select the best candidate, not just from the West.”
Raji Rafiu from Isokan Local Government also disputed the authenticity of the signatures, stating, “I found my name in the paper despite being at home, not in Iwo. What we need in the APC is the best candidate, not just someone from the West.”
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Idris Aderigbigbe, another youth leader from Isokan, noted, “Many youth leaders were called for a meeting, but many did not attend. Yet, their names were included and signed for without their consent.”
In response, Osun West Senatorial youth leader Imran Mojeed denied the allegations of forgery. He clarified, “We did not demand a specific candidate from the West. Instead, we communicated to the president that we have capable candidates in our district.”
Mojeed stated that the meeting to discuss zoning included APC Senator Hon. Gbenga Omolaoye and was documented with video recordings as evidence. “We should not prolong this issue, as our actions were based on evidence,” he concluded.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the APC regarding the upcoming governorship ticket and the representation of various districts within the party.
