By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the four local government areas of Ede Federal Constituency in Osun State have called on party leaders to zone the party’s senatorial ticket to the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections, citing fairness and equity.

The youths, drawn from Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo, made the appeal during a solidarity rally held in Osogbo on Monday.

Their demand comes amid a similar push by stakeholders from Iwo Federal Constituency, who are also seeking the ticket following the emergence of the party’s last governorship candidate from Irewole Federal Constituency, part of the Osun West Senatorial District.

Speaking on behalf of the group, operating under the aegis of Concerned Youths and Students of Ede Federal Constituency, coordinator Samuel Egunjobi argued that zoning the ticket to Ede would enhance the APC’s electoral chances in future contests.

He noted that the constituency made significant contributions to the party’s vote tally in both the 2022 governorship and 2023 general elections, compared to other constituencies in the district.

Providing a breakdown of voting patterns, Egunjobi said that in the 2023 presidential election, APC recorded 33,956 votes against the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 31,810 in Ayedire, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa, while in Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole, APC polled 41,004 votes against PDP’s 40,725.

He added that in Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo, APC secured 38,416 votes compared to PDP’s 57,778.

Similarly, in the 2022 governorship election, APC garnered 34,412 votes in Ayedire, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa against PDP’s 31,521, and 43,558 votes in Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole against PDP’s 38,373. In Ede Federal Constituency, APC polled 38,890 votes, while PDP secured 74,664.

Egunjobi maintained that Ayedire, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency had held the senatorial seat for two consecutive terms, while Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole Federal Constituency recently produced the party’s governorship candidate.

“In the spirit of fairness, Ede Federal Constituency should be given the opportunity to produce the next senator,” he said.

“Based on fairness, electoral performance and structural advantage, we firmly believe that Ede Federal Constituency is well-positioned to contribute significantly as the next source of senatorial representation in Osun West.

“We respectfully call on the leadership of the party at all levels to uphold the principles of equity and balanced representation, reflect on the electoral contributions across constituencies, and take a decision that will promote unity and strengthen the party’s future.”