Two major All Progressives Congress (APC) interest groups in Osun State have called on the party leadership to zone the 2026 governorship ticket to Osun West Senatorial District, citing decades of political marginalization.
The Progressives Frontliners (TPF) and the Coalition of Osun APC Interest Groups (COAIG) made the appeal in a joint statement delivered in Osogbo, the state capital, shortly after their May monthly meeting.
Speaking under the theme “West Lokan” , a phrase that means in Yoruba slogan “It’s the turn of the West” , the groups stated that since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, Osun West has never produced a governor, despite unwavering support for the APC.
“This cause is not driven by personal vendettas or grievances,” the statement read, “but a clarion call to rectify long standing political imbalances and address the marginalisation that has unjustly affected Osun West for decades.”
The joint coordinators, Ademola Rukayat, Michael Idowu, and Samuel Iwolode , emphasized that the appeal was directed at President Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, urging them to intervene and ensure Osun West is given a fair shot at the party’s ticket.
“We respectfully urge them to lend an ear to the earnest appeals of their children from Osun.
This moment calls for compassionate leadership and recognition of the vital role Osun West has played within the party,” they added.
The groups warned that the persistent exclusion of Osun West could jeopardize the APC’s chances of reclaiming power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which currently occupies the state’s Government House.
“The marginalization of Osun West played a significant role in our past electoral defeats,” the statement continued. “Allocating the candidacy to Osun West is undoubtedly the most assured and straightforward strategy to reclaim Osun State.”
They urged party leaders at the national and state levels to take decisive action to ensure equity, fairness, and inclusion in the party’s leadership structure moving forward.
The group later proceeded to the APC Secretariat in Osogbo to formally submit their letter of request.
It was received by Mr. Aremu Tajudeen, Director of Administration and Finance, Osun APC Secretariat.
