Oyo Rebirth Initiative Demands APC Governorship Zoning to Oke-Ogun, Dismisses Senator Alli’s Opposing Remarks

The Oyo Rebirth Initiative demands the APC zone its governorship ticket to Oke-Ogun to end 50 years of marginalization, dismissing Senator Alli's recent comments.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 6:04 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Guardian Newspapers

The Quest for Equity in Oyo’s Political Landscape

The Oyo Rebirth Initiative has ignited a significant political debate within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress by demanding that the governorship ticket be exclusively zoned to the Oke-Ogun region. In a statement released on Tuesday, the group’s Convener, Comrade Yinka Gbadebo, argued that the region has been systematically marginalized for over half a century. According to the initiative, despite Oke-Ogun’s substantial contributions to the state’s agricultural output and human capital, it has failed to produce a governor since the state's inception, a disparity they claim must be corrected in the next electoral cycle.

Rejection of Senator Sarafadeen Alli’s Commentary

The group’s demand serves as a direct rebuttal to recent statements made by Senator Sarafadeen Alli. According to the statement, Alli reportedly suggested that it might not yet be the turn of the Oke-Ogun region to lead the state. The Oyo Rebirth Initiative described these remarks as "insensitive and insulting," claiming that such rhetoric undermines the inclusive spirit necessary for a politically diverse state. The group warned that dismissing the legitimate aspirations of an entire zone could create deep-seated divisions within the APC and alienate a critical voting bloc.

Strategic Alternatives and Party Loyalty

While the primary objective of the group remains an Oke-Ogun governorship, they have also weighed in on potential candidates from other regions. According to the initiative, if the APC decides against zoning the ticket to Oke-Ogun, the party should favor a "seasoned and unifying" figure. The group specifically named Senator Teslim Folarin as a preferable option in such a scenario, citing his broad acceptance across the state’s various zones and his perceived track record of loyalty to the party's structure.