“No Going Back, It’s Our Turn” — Akinyele APC Members Protest Alleged Candidate Imposition
Scores of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Akinyele Local Government on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the party’s state secretariat in Ibadan, calling for fairness, inclusiveness, and strict adherence to the existing rotational arrangement in the Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency.
The protesters, who described their action as a “fight for their rightful place,” insisted that their demonstration was orderly and not an act of violence, but a coordinated effort to ensure that Akinyele’s voice is heard within the party structure ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Going Back, It’s Akinyele’s Turn,” “Imposition Leads to Failure,” and “It’s Akinyele’s Turn: Let’s Make Peace,” the aggrieved members urged the party leadership to respect the long-standing zoning agreement guiding representation in the constituency.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Abdul-Akeem Mosafejo, Fausat Ajibade, and Taofeek Kasali said the protest was triggered by alleged plans to impose a candidate from Lagelu Local Government, contrary to the established rotation principle.
According to Mosafejo, the constituency has, for over two decades, operated a four-year rotational system between Akinyele and Lagelu, dating back to 1999.
“It is now Akinyele’s turn, and we are not in support of any attempt to impose a candidate from Lagelu. The voice of Akinyele is not for violence, but for our rights,” he said.
Ajibade warned that sidelining Akinyele could have electoral consequences for the party, stressing that grassroots supporters were demanding justice and inclusiveness rather than consensus arrangements.
“We are appealing to our leaders not to impose any candidate on us. Failure to respect the rotation may jeopardise the party’s chances in Akinyele in 2027,” she said.
Kasali also maintained that Akinyele had consistently supported Lagelu candidates in previous election cycles and deserved its turn in the spirit of fairness.
“We don’t understand why the party wants to deviate from the established arrangement. For the party to succeed in 2027, the right thing must be done,” he added.
In a related development, aspirants from Akinyele Local Government reinforced the demand in a letter addressed to the state APC Chairman, Moses Adeyemo. The letter, signed by several stakeholders including Adigun Abiodun, Sulaiman Ajibade, Olumide Alli, Bolaji Badmus, and AbdulWasiu Ajao, reiterated that it was Akinyele’s turn to produce the party’s candidate.
They expressed concern over indications that the current arrangement might be altered to favour an incumbent from Lagelu, warning that such a move could erode trust in the party’s internal processes and weaken grassroots support.
“Adherence to established agreements will reinforce confidence and strengthen our collective pursuit of victory,” the letter stated.
Responding to the protesters, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, urged calm and assured them that the party leadership would address their concerns.
He emphasised the need for unity between Akinyele and Lagelu, noting that cooperation between both local governments would be critical to the party’s success in the 2027 elections.