Oyo 2027: We only want gov, not party chairman — Oke-Ogun group tells APC 

An Oke-Ogun advocacy group, under the auspices of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has rejected the emergence of an Oke-Ogun indigene as the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The APC held its congress nationwide on Tuesday, where former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo Alake, emerged as the new chairman of the party in the state.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dauda Olaifa, and National Secretary, Favour Adewoyin, and made available to journalists on Wednesday, the group rejected Alake’s emergence. 

It also reaffirmed its demand that the governorship ticket be zoned to the Òkè-Ogùn zone in 2027.

The group said Òkè-Ogùn had historically produced party chairmen since 1999 across AD/APC and PDP.

“In recent days, intense political manoeuvering has surrounded the question: From which region should the APC Party Chairman emerge

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“Unlike the zoning of the PDP Chairman that, unexpectedly, met Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, an advocacy association committed to the governorship rotation in Òkè-Ogùn in the past, the association remained very vigilant. Consequently, a Press Briefing was convened at the House of Chiefs in Ibadan to articulate Òkèògùn’s firm position: we reject the zoning of the Party Chairman to our region.”

The statement recalled earlier positions taken by the group.

“In our previous Press release, we highlighted that Òkèògùn has historically produced Party Chairmen since 1999 across AD/APC and PDP, as follows:

AD/APC Party Chairmen from Òkèògùn, Chief Michael Koleoso – Ṣakí, ÒKÈÒGÙN (Ọ̀yọ́ North); Chief David Adesola – Ìgbòho, ÒKÈÒGÙN (Ọ̀yọ́ North); Chief Samuel Farinu – Òyọ́ Central; Chief Akin Oke – Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, (Ọ̀yọ́ North); Honourable Isaac Omodewu – Òtu, ÒKÈÒGÙN (Ọ̀yọ́ North); Alhaji Olaide Abas – Ìbàràpá (Ọ̀yọ́ South)

“PDP Chairmen pattern since 1999: Mr. Jacob Adetoro – Ìgbẹ́tì, ÒKÈÒGÙN, Ọ̀yọ́ North (2017, factional), Mr. Omokunmi Mustapha – Ìṣẹ́yìn, ÒKÈÒGÙN, Ọ̀yọ́ North (2017, factional), Honourable Michael Okunlade – Ìgbòho, ÒKÈÒGÙN, Ọ̀yọ́ North (2021, factional), Honourable Dayo Ogungbenro – Òtu, ÒKÈÒGÙN, PDP Chairman (Makinde-aligned faction, 2021), Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro – Òtu, ÒKÈÒGÙN, Re-elected PDP Chairman (2025).”

The group noted that Chief Moses Alake’s emergence makes it the eighth time the APC chairmanship has gone to Òkèògùn.

“Yesterday, former Deputy Governor from Òkeogun zone ,Chief Moses Alake was appointed as Oyo APC Party Chairman. This marks the eighth times that the Party Chairman has come from Òkèògùn, while other regions have held the position only once or twice.”

It added that the zone has also produced five deputy governors.

“Similarly, Òkèògùn has produced Deputy Governors five times including Hammed Gbadamosi – Ṣakí, Òkèògùn, Barr. Iyiola Oladokun – Adó-Àwáyè, Òkèògùn, Chief Moses Alake – Ọ̀gbọ̀ọ̀rọ̀, Òkèògùn (now APC Chairman with effect from yesterday March 3, 2026), Engr. Rauf Olaniyan – Ìgbòho, Òkèògùn., Bayo Lawal – Kìṣhí, Òkèògùn.”

The statement argued that despite these positions, the governorship has not been produced from the zone.

“Yet, the governorship seat has consistently eluded Òkèògùn, despite its status as the region with the largest indigenous population, 2006 Census Figures indicated that Ìbàràpá region has the population of – 336,189, Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ – 657,134, Òyọ́ – 562,971, Òkèògùn – 1,498,325 and Ibadan has 2,559,853.

“It is evident that Òkèògùn possesses the largest concentration of indigenous people within the state, whereas Ibadan is predominantly cosmopolitan, with over 70% non-indigenes.”

The group said it has renewed its advocacy since December 2024.

“For decades, Òkèògùn and other regions have resisted marginalisation, exclusion, and neglect. Since December 2024, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa has reignited this advocacy with the clarion call:

“We say No to Deputy Governor. No to Party Chairman! No to tokenism. Yes to Governor. Experience has shown that whenever the Deputy Governor or Party Chairman posts are allocated to Òkèògùn, the path to the governorship is effectively blocked. When Mr. Dayo Ogungbenro assumed PDP Party Chairman, it was insinuated that should PDP decide to zone the governorship to Òkèògùn, he would resign. The APC’s recent zoning decision appears to follow a similar pattern.”

While acknowledging arguments about precedent, the group maintained its position.

“However, proponents have argue that the concurrent occupancy of Party Chairman and governorship from the same zone has precedent — for instance:

“While these examples provide theoretical support, we remain skeptical due to historical underground scheming and financial inducements that have previously influenced (and is still influencing) Party Chairman zoning to Òkèògùn.

“Therefore, we, on behalf of the people of Òkèògùn, categorically reject the zoning of the APC Party Chairman to our region.”

The group also declared its political stance ahead of 2027.

“While we reiterate our unwavering support for the second-term agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are committed to assisting in its realisation. However, our support is conditional, patriotic, and principled: we will endorse any political party that guarantees one of our competent sons the gubernatorial ticket in 2027. Among our capable aspirants are, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Bayo Shittu, Rauf Olaniyan, Dr. Gbenga Adegbola, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, and Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye”, the statement reads.