BY OUR REPORTER
Concerned youths and students from Ede Federal Constituency, popularly known as E4, on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, calling on leaders of the All Progressives Congress to zone the Osun West Senatorial ticket to the constituency.
The protest, held at Dele Yes Sir Roundabout, Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, drew participants from Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Local Governments, who maintained that their demand was rooted in fairness, equity and the overall interest of the party.
The demonstrators emphasised that their action was peaceful and driven by a desire for constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
Speaking on behalf of the group, one of the leaders, Comrade Matthew Ogunniyi, said the call for zoning was a principled appeal anchored on justice, electoral contribution and political balance within the Osun West Senatorial District.
According to him, “justice is the first condition of leadership,” urging party leaders to act in line with fairness and responsibility.
Comrade Oguniyi noted that for two consecutive terms, the senatorial seat had been occupied by a representative from Ayedire, Iwo and Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, stressing that equity demands that other constituencies, particularly E4, be given the opportunity to serve.
He added that rotation strengthens inclusion, fosters trust and promotes unity within the party.
The group also presented electoral data to support its position, highlighting that E4 had consistently delivered strong votes for the APC in recent elections.
In the 2023 presidential election, the constituency recorded 38,416 votes for the party, while in the 2022 governorship election, it secured 38,890 votes, figures described as evidence of loyalty and resilience, especially as the area is the political base of the incumbent governor from the opposition party.
Beyond electoral performance, the protesters pointed to the structural advantage of E4, noting that the constituency has 450 polling units, the highest in the senatorial district, alongside 253,532 registered voters.
They argued that this represents the widest grassroots reach and the greatest mobilisation capacity, positioning E4 as a strategic asset for future electoral success.
In a communiqué read during the protest by Comrade Samuel Eegunjobi, the group reiterated that its demand was not based on sentiment, but on equity, contribution and the long-term stability of the party.
The communiqué stated that fairness is essential for building trust, warning that neglecting it could breed discontent within party ranks.
The youths further described zoning the ticket to E4 as a strategic opportunity for the APC to strengthen internal cohesion, energise its support base and improve its chances in future elections, including the 2027 general polls.
They stressed that decisions taken at this stage would shape party unity and influence voter confidence across the district.
While appealing to party leaders at the district, state and national levels, the group also called for unity among stakeholders within E4.
They urged leaders and members of the constituency to set aside differences, work collectively and demonstrate readiness to secure victory for the party.
“We are not here to oppose, but to appeal. We are not here to disrupt, but to build,” Ogunniyi said, adding that the call for zoning reflects a collective aspiration for inclusion and balanced representation.
The protesters reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and their commitment to peaceful engagement, expressing confidence that party leaders would act with wisdom and a sense of justice.
They concluded with a strong declaration that E4 remains ready, capable and deserving of the senatorial ticket.