A fresh crisis is rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State as party leaders and stakeholders are sharply divided over which local government should produce the party’s candidate for the Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The current lawmaker, Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, who was elected in 2023, is said to be eyeing a return bid.
But growing opposition is mounting against his re-election on grounds of alleged poor performance and fears that his continued stay will further marginalise other local governments in the constituency.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that trouble started at a meeting of APC leaders held on Tuesday at the Ijebu-Ife residence of High Chief Segun Osibote, where zoning of political offices topped discussions.
It was frytrt learnt that the gathering, however, degenerated into heated arguments after a former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Otunba Timothy Adebowale, moved a motion demanding that Ijebu East should produce the next House of Representatives candidate.
Adebowale, whose motion was seconded by a former councillor, Hon. Niyi Ogunfadebo, argued that Ijebu East deserved the ticket having last produced a representative between 2007 and 2011, while Ijebu North had occupied the seat for three consecutive terms.
But the position was resisted by some party leaders, including Hon. Akeem Salami and Hon. Dare Ogunde, who insisted that the ticket be thrown open to all aspirants irrespective of local government.
Matters came to a head when the Ijebu East APC Chairman, Otunba Adebayo Balogun, openly aligned with those opposing Adebowale’s motion.
His stance infuriated many members, who accused him of betrayal, inducement, and working against the collective interest of Ijebu East.
Sources at the meeting told PLATFORM TIMES that angry party members have since begun passing a vote of no confidence in Balogun, accusing him of protecting the ambition of “an underperforming representative” at the expense of his own local government.
When contacted, Adebowale confirmed his attendance at the meeting but declined detailed comments, saying party leaders were still reviewing the issues.
Meanwhile, a senior party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity justified the agitation for power shift.
He traced the constituency’s political history from 1999 to date, noting that while Ijebu East and Ogun Waterside had taken their turns, Ijebu North had dominated the seat in recent years.
According to him, Hon. Onadeko Onamusi (Ijebu East) served from 1999 to 2003, followed by Senator Lekan Mustapha (Ijebu North) from 2003 to 2007. Hon. Segun Osibote (Ijebu East) held the seat from 2007 to 2011, while Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun (Ogun Waterside) represented the constituency from 2011 to 2015.
From 2015 to 2019 and 2019 to 2023, Hon. Segun Adekoya (Ijebu North) occupied the position before Adegbesan, also from Ijebu North, took over in 2023.
“With this breakdown, it is glaring that Ijebu North has had three straight terms. Any attempt to retain the seat there in 2027 will not only be unjust but also deepen marginalisation of other local governments,” the party leader said.
“Aside from fairness, performance should also count. Why should one local government continue to dominate, especially when the supposed representation has failed to deliver?” he queried.
As of press time, APC chairman in Ijebu East, Otunba Balogun, could not be reached for comments on the controversy.
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