A growing internal dispute within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has brought the Ibadan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency into focus, as stakeholders from Ibadan Northeast Local Government have raised concerns over what they describe as a long-standing pattern of marginalisation in the party’s candidate selection process.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the concerned stakeholders warned that any move to field another candidate from Ibadan Southeast in the 2027 general elections could deepen internal divisions and weaken the party’s electoral prospects in the constituency.
The group argued that historical patterns since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 reveal a disproportionate dominance by Ibadan Southeast in producing representatives for the federal constituency.
According to the statement, out of seven electoral cycles, Ibadan Southeast has produced five representatives, while Ibadan Northeast has produced only two.
Providing a breakdown, the stakeholders noted that Kazeem Adeshile (1999–2003) and Taofeek Arapaja (2003–2007) both hailed from Ibadan Southeast. Representation later shifted to Ibadan Northeast with Olusefun Akinloye (2007–2011) and Bukola Ajaja (2011–2015). However, since 2015, the seat has reverted to Ibadan Southeast, with Dapo Lam Adesina serving between 2015 and 2019, followed by the incumbent, Abass Agboworin, who has held the position since 2019.
Describing the trend as a “pattern of exclusion,” the stakeholders maintained that the principles of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness must guide the APC’s decision-making process ahead of the 2027 elections.
While acknowledging that competence, loyalty, and political experience remain critical considerations in candidate selection, the group stressed that such qualities are not exclusive to any one local government.
They argued that Ibadan Northeast possesses a pool of qualified aspirants capable of representing the constituency effectively at the federal level.
The stakeholders further strengthened their case by pointing to the demographic advantage of Ibadan Northeast, noting its larger population and landmass compared to Ibadan Southeast. They argued that this demographic reality should translate into equitable political representation within the party.
The statement also linked what it described as the APC’s fluctuating electoral performance in the constituency to an “unjust and rigid” candidate selection process. According to the group, continued exclusion of Ibadan Northeast risks alienating a significant voting bloc, thereby creating opportunities for opposition parties to gain ground.
“The people of Ibadan Northeast are not asking for charity but their rightful turn,” the statement read, urging the leadership of the APC at both state and national levels to ensure that the party’s candidate for the 2027 election emerges from Ibadan Northeast Local Government.
