A former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Debo Adesina, yesterday alerted the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the potential risks inherent in any consensus arrangement that fails to concede the 2027 governorship ticket to the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo State.

According to him, “Any consensus arrangement which creates impressions of exclusiveness, injustice and lack of regard for the people of Oke-Ogun has the capacity to hurt the party in the general elections.”

He therefore called on the leadership of the APC to be wary of any consensus arrangement that does not take cognisance of the Oke-Ogun axis of Oyo 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 Ireakari Group, said that Oke-Ogun, forming at least 31 per cent of the voting population of Oyo State, coupled with having about 60 per cent of the landmass of the state, deserves more reasonable consideration in the choice of the party’s flagbearer for the next governorship election.

“As loyal party people and a progressive-minded populace, the people of Oke-Ogun cannot be against the party, especially with President Bola Ahmed 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 per cent of the total voting population can continue to be sidelined persistently and endlessly,” Adesina said.

The former envoy, who is also a former Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian Newspapers, said there are 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, for once, the party wants to ensure justice and fair play.

Adesina concluded: “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.”
Adesina, who is also one of the leaders of the Justice Forum in Oyo State, is the founder of Omi Aanu Foundation.