2027: Merit, Not Zoning, Will Determine Oyo Governorship Candidate — Labour Party

The Labour Party in Oyo State has declared that merit, rather than zoning or regional considerations, will determine its governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

The party’s State General Secretary, Mr Fatai Ojetunde, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Ibadan while addressing journalists.

Ojetunde said the party would not be swayed by sentiments suggesting that its candidate must emerge from a particular part of the state, stressing that competence and capacity to deliver quality governance would remain the primary criteria.

“What we are interested in is good governance. It does not matter whether the candidate comes from Ibadan, Ogbomoso or the most remote community in the state. Once the person has the capacity to govern effectively and deliver dividends of democracy, such a person will be considered,” he said.

He explained that the party places no geographical restriction on political aspirations, noting that all indigenes of Oyo State are eligible to contest the governorship on its platform.

“As far as the Labour Party is concerned, anyone from any part of Oyo State can aspire to be governor. Our overriding concern is governance that will positively impact all residents,” Ojetunde added.

On the proposal to shift the 2027 general elections to January, the party chieftain said the Labour Party had no objection to the adjustment.

“There is nothing wrong with it. Whether the election is held in January or February, we are fully prepared. We are confident of victory in 2027,” he stated.

He, however, noted that religious activities in some parts of the country might have influenced the proposed change in the election timetable.

Ojetunde further revealed that the party had commenced grassroots engagements as part of its preparations for the next general elections, with a strong emphasis on voter education.

“One of our major strategies is voter education. We are going from ward to ward and house to house to sensitise the electorate. We remind voters that any money collected during elections cannot sustain them beyond a few days, but the consequences of their choices will last for four years,” he said.

He clarified that the party was not yet campaigning but focused on enlightening voters about the importance of making informed decisions at the polls.

According to him, the state chairman of the party, Mr Sadiq Atayese, has prioritised voter education as a core pillar of the Labour Party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.