Youth leaders disagree over call to zone governorship ticket to Osun West

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Some youth leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have dismissed reports that all youth leaders in Osun West Senatorial District agreed that the party’s 2026 governorship ticket should be zoned to the district, alleging forgery and manipulation of signatures.

The APC youth leaders in the district had earlier held a meeting in Iwo, where they allegedly signed a communiqué calling for the zoning of the party’s governorship ticket to Osun West.

However, youth leaders from Ola-Oluwa, Isokan, Ede North, Ede South, and Ayedire Local Government Areas distanced themselves from the meeting and its communiqué during a press conference on Saturday.

One of the youth leaders from Ede North, Hon. Alimi Akande Bakare, described the information circulated after the meeting as false and misleading, alleging that several signatures were forged and that many people were coerced. He appealed to party leaders to prioritize competence over zoning, saying the best aspirant should be chosen to ensure victory in 2026.

Another youth leader, Raji Rafiu from Isokan Local Government, said, “I was at home when my name was listed. I call on President Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to ensure that the party fields the best candidate.”

Reacting, Osun West Senatorial Youth Leader, Imran Mojeed, refuted the allegations of forgery, saying, “We didn’t agitate for a particular candidate from the West Senatorial District; rather, we made it known to the President that we have capable hands in the district.”

He added, “We never forged anybody’s signature. During the meeting, we made video recordings as evidence. Those who alleged that we forged their signatures can go to court because they knew what the meeting was all about.”

Mojeed maintained that the call for zoning was a fair demand by the youth for justice and balance within the APC.