The Kwara South Youth Congress (KSYC) has rejected calls for zoning in the 2027 Kwara South Senatorial election, insisting that competence, capacity and a clear development agenda should guide the choice of the next senator.
Speaking on behalf of the group, spokesperson Bashir Adejare said those pushing the narrative of an Igbomina turn or an Offa / Ekiti / Ibolo rotation are inventing history to serve selfish political interests.
“Let the records speak,” Adejare said. “From 1999 till date, Kwara South has never practiced zoning. Our senators have emerged through open contest, not through any written or unwritten rotational agreement. Senator Suleiman Ajadi from Ifelodun, Senator Simon Ajibola from Ekiti, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim from You , Senator Lola Ashiru from Offa — none of them emerged because it was ‘the turn’ of their axis. They emerged because they contested and won.”
He argued that Kwara South, made up of seven diverse LGAs — Offa, Oyun, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Isin, Oke-Ero, and Ekiti — has always prided itself on political maturity where ideas and popularity win, not sectional claims.
According to him, the attempt to introduce zoning now is a deliberate strategy to shut out competent candidates across various communities in Kwara South, and to mislead unsuspecting voters.
“What Kwara South needs in 2027 is not a zoning formula. What we need is competence, accessibility, and a clear development agenda,” he stated.
To this end, the Youth Congress announced plans to host an Open Policy Debate on Inclusion and Development, inviting the three major contenders, the PDP candidate Hon. Saheed Olamilekan Popoola, the APC candidate Lekan Adewoye and the ADC candidate Hon. Akogun Iyoola Oyedepo to present their blueprints before the youth, women groups, artisans, and traditional stakeholders.
Adejare listed key areas the debate will focus on: youth employment and entrepreneurship, insecurity and community safety, poor road infrastructure linking farming communities, quality education, healthcare access, and inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in governance.
“We want Kwara South people to look at faces, listen to plans, and ask questions. Who has the capacity to attract federal projects? Who understands legislative business? Who will not go to Abuja to sleep? Let the candidates speak for themselves,” he added.
He maintained that the group will mobilize over 5,000 youths across the seven LGAs to participate in the town hall, and called on the media, civil society, NUJ, NBA, NANS, and traditional councils to serve as independent observers.
“Kwara South has never been divided by zoning, and we will not start now. Our history is a history of open contest. Let 2027 be about who can serve best, not where he comes from,” Adejare concluded.
The group said the date and venue for the debate will be communicated soon.
