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Former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, has called on the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State, to be wary of any consensus arrangement that does not take cognisance of the Oke-Ogun axis of the state.
Adesina said the age-long injustice against the people of Oke Ogun must inform the choice of the party’s governorship candidate in the 2027 election.
The former envoy, who is one of the leaders of the Ire-Akari group, said that Oke Ogun, forming at least 31 per cent 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, he 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.
“As loyal party people and a progressive-minded populace, the people of Oke-Ogun cannot be against the party, especially with President Bola 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 the total voting population can continue to be sidelined persistently and endlessly,” he said
The former envoy, who is former editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of The Guardian Newspapers, said there were 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, according to him, the party wants to ensure justice and fair play
“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,” he said.
Adesina, who is also one of the leaders of the Justice Forum in Oyo State is the founder of Omi Aanu Foundation.
