By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Ahead of 2027 general elections, crisis appears to be looming in Ijebu East Local Government Area unit of the Ogun State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), threatening the harmony of the ruling party in that section of the state.
The Daily Crucible learnt that the simmering crisis is the fallout of the increasing agitations for the party’s House of Representatives’ ticket for the Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
It was gathered that in a recent meeting held at Ijebu-Ife in Ijebu East Local Government, notable APC leaders and members met to discuss the zoning of political offices and distribution of party tickets.
The Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency is currently being represented by Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, who was elected in 2023. The lawmaker is believed to be nursing re-election in 2027.
But opposition seems to be mounting against his return not only because of alleged poor representation of the constituents, but also because his continued stay beyond 2027 will further marginalise other local governments in the federal constituency.
It was further gathered that an APC meeting, which was held at the Ijebu-Ife residence of High Chief Segun Osibote on Tuesday to appraise the situation, witnessed sharp disagreements among the party chieftains.
The dispute was said to have been ignited after a former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Otunba Timothy Adebowale, moved the motion to allow Ijebu East produce the House of Representatives candidate for the Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency in 2027.
Adebowale argued that it was the turn of Ijebu East after Ijebu North had spent three consecutive terms in the legislative position previously occupied by an Ogun Waterside indigene.
Sources said the ex-council chairman’s motion, which resonated well with many members in attendance, was seconded by a former councillor, Hon. Niyi Ogunfadebo.
However, some other chieftains, including Hon. Akeem Salami and Hon. Dare Ogunde, opposed the motion and insisted that the ticket should be thrown open to all contenders which was against the wish of majority of party stalwarts in attendance.
To the chagrin of members, the Ijebu East APC Chairman, Otunba Adebayo Balogun, sided with those allegedly opposed to the motion, sparking outrage as well as accusations of inducement and sellout.
After the meeting, aggrieved party members in Ijebu East started to pass a vote of no confidence on their chairman whom they accused of suppressing the local government’s interests for selfish reasons.
They wondered why the party chairman would be disposed to having an “underperformer” in office at the detriment of his own local government.
As at press time, the Ijebu East APC Chairman, Otunba Adebayo Balogun, could not be reached for his reaction on the outcome of the party meeting in Ijebu-Ife.
But when contacted yesterday, Otunba Adebowale confirmed that he attended the meeting as a former Local Government Chairman. He stated that party leaders were still looking into the issues raised and declined further comments.
However, one of the APC leaders, who preferred anonymity, justified the current demand for House of Representatives’ ticket by Ijebu East Local Government. According to the party chieftain, the federal constituency was represented by Hon. Onadeko Onamusi from Ijebu East between 1999 and 2003 while Senator Lekan Mustapha from Ijebu North occupied the position between 2003 and 2007.
Between 2007 and 2011, Hon. Segun Osibote from Ijebu East represented the constituency while Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun from Ogun Waterside held the post from 2011 to 2015, the party leader explained.
From 2015 to 2019, he added, Hon. Segun Adekoya from Ijebu North occupied the legislative position and was re-elected for 2019 to 2023 while Hon.Joseph Adegbesan also from Ijebu North was elected in 2023 and is expected to finish the tenure in 2027.
“With the analysis I have provided,” the party chieftain said, “it is obvious that Ijebu North has used three consecutive terms. Therefore, zoning the ticket to Ijebu North again in 2027 will be unfair and tantamount to marginalising other local governments constituting the federal constituency.”
“Many of us are against any surreptitious move for fourth term, especially when it is meant to perpetuate failed representation. Why should a particular local government continue to dominate others even when rotation and power sharing is implied in our body polity? Something has to be done,” he submitted.
The Daily Crucible tried to seek reaction from the Ogun APC on the matter without success but sources close to the party said there won’t be any comment now until there is a resolution on it.
