By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Leaders of thought in Ila-Orangun, headquarters of Ila Local Government Area in Osun State, have called on the All Progressives Congress to restore the Osun Central senatorial ticket to Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, in line with what they described as an earlier understanding with the party leadership.

Senator Fadeyi lost the party’s direct primary to Mr Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, who emerged as the APC candidate for the Osun Central senatorial district during the primary election held in May.

However, stakeholders from Ila-Orangun, speaking through the Obaafa of Ila, Chief Adegboyega Buraimo, said the senator, along with other lawmakers who defected to the APC from the PDP, should be considered under the same arrangement reportedly extended to others.

They said Senator Fadeyi has distinguished himself as a grassroots mobiliser and performed well as a first-term senator.

According to the stakeholders, denying him the ticket would amount to sidelining Ila-Orangun despite its support for the party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Our concern is not merely about one individual. It is about a growing perception that Ila-Orangun is being sidelined despite its historic contributions to the progressive movement,” the group said.

They urged the party leadership in Osun State under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to reflect on the implications of departing from what they described as existing understandings and informal agreements within the party.

The stakeholders argued that fairness and consistency should guide party decisions, insisting that what was applied to others should also apply to Senator Fadeyi.

“What was extended to the four should be extended to the fifth. What is good for four should also be good for Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajagunla. Reward loyalty, respect performance and uphold fairness,” they said.

They added that honouring commitments would strengthen party unity and promote trust among members.