A growing internal dispute within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has put the Ibadan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency in the spotlight, as stakeholders from Ibadan Northeast allege a long-standing pattern of marginalisation in the party’s candidate selection process.
In a press release issued by concerned stakeholders from Ibadan Northeast Local Government, the group warned that plans to again field a candidate from Ibadan Southeast for the 2027 general elections could deepen divisions and weaken the party’s chances in the constituency.
The stakeholders argued that historical records since 1999 show a disproportionate dominance by Ibadan Southeast in producing representatives for the federal constituency.
According to the statement, out of seven election cycles, Ibadan Southeast has produced five representatives, while Ibadan Northeast has had only two.
They cited past office holders to support their claims, noting that Kazeem Adeshile (1999–2003) and Taofeek Arapaja (2003–2007) were both from Ibadan Southeast, followed by Olusefun Akinloye (2007–2011) and Bukola Ajaja (2011–2015) from Ibadan Northeast. However, since 2015, representation has reverted entirely to Ibadan Southeast, with Dapo Lam Adesina (2015–2019) and Abass Agboworin, who has held the seat from 2019 to date.
Describing the trend as a “pattern of exclusion,” the stakeholders maintained that fairness and equity must guide the APC’s decision ahead of the next election cycle.
While acknowledging that competence and party loyalty are key factors in candidate selection, the group stressed that such qualities are not limited to any one local government. They insisted that the larger population and landmass of Ibadan Northeast further strengthen its case for equitable representation.
The statement also linked the party’s electoral struggles in the constituency to what it described as an “unjust and rigid” selection process, warning that sidelining Ibadan Northeast could continue to alienate a significant voting bloc and hand advantages to opposition parties.
“The people of Ibadan Northeast are not asking for charity but their rightful turn,” the statement read, urging APC leadership to ensure that the 2027 candidate emerges from Ibadan Northeast Local Government.
The stakeholders cautioned that failure to address the imbalance could threaten party unity and electoral success in the constituency, declaring that Ibadan Northeast would no longer accept a subordinate role in what they described as a jointly owned political space.
