Northwest Youths Reject Rotation Call, Cite Makinde’s Emergence as Proof of Merit-Based Politics

Northwest Youths Reject Rotation Call, Cite Makinde’s Emergence as Proof of Merit-Based Politics

Youth stakeholders in Ibadan Northwest Local Government have rejected calls for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the Ibadan Northwest/Ibadan Southwest Federal Constituency ticket to their axis, warning that such a move could undermine the party’s electoral chances.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group dismissed the “Ibadan Northwest lokan” campaign as narrow and politically risky, arguing that electoral victories are driven by competence, acceptability, and numerical strength—not sentiment or rotational claims.

The youths drew parallels with the build-up to the 2019 governorship election, noting that similar agitation for “Oke Ogun lokan” was set aside in favour of broader considerations that ultimately produced Seyi Makinde as governor. According to them, that decision enabled the PDP to secure victory and usher in what they described as a results-driven administration in Oyo State.

They maintained that Makinde’s emergence was not predicated on zoning but on his capacity to attract support across the state and unify diverse voting blocs. The group added that his performance in office—spanning infrastructure development, education reforms, healthcare investment, improved security architecture, agribusiness support, and worker welfare—demonstrates the value of prioritising competence over rotation.

“Had decisions been based solely on zoning, Oyo State might have missed out on the leadership currently delivering measurable progress,” the statement read.

The youths further cautioned that the same merit-based approach should guide the selection of the PDP’s candidate for the federal constituency, especially amid evolving political dynamics.

They pointed to indications that the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) may field a candidate from Ibadan Southwest, stressing that such a move reflects a strategic focus on electoral advantage rather than zoning considerations.

According to the group, Ibadan Southwest holds a larger voting population than Ibadan Northwest, making it a critical factor in determining electoral outcomes. They argued that politics remains “a game of numbers,” where reach, structure, and broad-based appeal often outweigh localised claims.

The youths also referenced the transition from the administration of Abiola Ajimobi to Makinde in 2019, noting that both leaders hail from Ibadan, yet voters still prioritised performance and prospects over rotational expectations.

Reaffirming their stance, the group said youths in Ibadan Northwest are prepared to support any PDP candidate with the strongest chances of winning the seat, regardless of local government origin.

They emphasised that securing victory for the party should remain the overriding objective ahead of the next general election, urging party leaders to adopt strategies rooted in pragmatism rather than sentiment.