A former Senior Special Assistant to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Students’ Affairs and Social Mobilisation, Kehinde Ayantunji, has dismissed concerns that the ongoing agitation for zoning within the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) will threaten the party’s unity.
Ayantunji, while speaking on Friday during the weekly Twitter Space organised by Osun Defender, stated that zoning has always been a feature of Osun politics, but it has never been a factor strong enough to cause disunity within the party.
He recalled that since 1999, the only time zoning was not a major issue was during the administration of Chief Bisi Akande, as political actors at the time were more concerned about stabilising democracy than where the governor emerged from.
However, he noted that from 2003 onwards, zoning became a subject of intense debate, particularly during the tenure of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
According to Ayantunji, the push for zoning intensified after Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola completed his eight-year tenure, leading to a strong agitation for the governorship ticket to be ceded to Osun West.
He acknowledged that similar calls have resurfaced in recent weeks, with APC members from Osun West insisting that it is their turn to produce the party’s governorship candidate.
However, the former aide maintained that while such agitation is expected in a democratic setting, it does not pose any threat to the party’s stability.
“Every politician has a way of marketing their ambition. Some will use zoning if it favours them, others will push voting strength, while some may use other sentiments such as gender. That is the reality of politics,” he said.
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Ayantunji stressed that the APC would ultimately field a candidate capable of winning the election and providing better governance than the current administration, assuring party members that all interests would be considered in the selection process.
“The most important thing is that when the time comes, our party will choose a candidate that is far better than the current governor. Every agitation will be taken into account, but it will not divide us. We have handled more complex issues in the past,” he stated.
He further noted that INEC has yet to announce a specific date for the governorship election, adding that the ongoing political engagement within the party is a sign of its strength and relevance.
“The fact that people are actively engaging in discussions about our party’s future shows that APC remains the most attractive and viable platform in Osun. Zoning will not divide us, and it never will,” he concluded.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
