The Hypocrisy of Osun APC: Why Clamor for Osun West Now After Frustrating It in 2018?

Politics is often marked by shifting narratives and strategic positioning, but when a party contradicts its past actions for convenience, it exposes a deep level of hypocrisy. This is precisely the situation with the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is now aggressively advocating for an Osun West gubernatorial candidate—a move they vehemently resisted in 2018.

This sudden change in stance raises critical questions: Why was the demand for an Osun West governor unjustifiable in 2018 but now a necessity in 2026? Is this a genuine commitment to equity, or just another calculated political maneuver to regain power?
2018: When Osun West Was Sidelined

In the build-up to the 2018 governorship election, the agitation for an Osun West candidate was at its peak. The call for fairness was based on the simple fact that, since the return to democracy in 1999, Osun West had never produced a governor:
• Osun Central ruled for over 11 years (Chief Bisi Akande from 1999–2003, followed by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola from 2003–2010).
• Osun East took over with Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola ruling for 8 years (2010–2018).
• Osun West, despite being a key part of the state, was repeatedly overlooked.

When the 2018 election cycle approached, stakeholders and leaders from Osun West demanded fairness. Their argument was clear: Power should rotate to their zone, ensuring inclusiveness and equity. But what did the Osun APC do?

Instead of honoring this justifiable demand, the APC frustrated Osun West’s aspirations and imposed Gboyega Oyetola from Osun Central as their candidate. The agitation was ignored, and Osun West was dismissed as not “strategic enough” for party calculations.

The APC leadership justified their decision with several excuses:
• They claimed zoning shouldn’t be a factor in leadership selection.
• They argued that competence should trump regional considerations.
• They asserted that the party’s interest should come before “sentimental” demands for fairness.

This stance led to the internal crisis that saw Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP (from Osun West) gain massive support and almost defeat the APC in 2018 before a controversial rerun helped Oyetola emerge as governor.
2025: The Same APC Now Preaching Osun West Agenda

Fast-forward to 2025, and suddenly, the same Osun APC that dismissed zoning is now its loudest advocate. Today, they are demanding that the 2026 governorship ticket must go to Osun West. The question is: What changed?

The answer is simple: Political survival.
• Having lost the 2022 election to Governor Ademola Adeleke (PDP), the APC is desperate to reclaim power.
• They now recognize that Osun West voters, who were sidelined in 2018, feel alienated and are more loyal to the PDP.
• Instead of acknowledging their past mistakes, they are opportunistically switching narratives to manipulate Osun West into supporting them.

If Osun West wasn’t “strategic” enough in 2018, why is it suddenly important now? Where was this energy when the region truly needed fair representation?
APC’s Hypocrisy: A Pattern of Self-Serving Politics

This is not the first time Osun APC has demonstrated political inconsistency. Over the years, they have repeatedly shifted their principles whenever it suits their interests.
• In 2018, zoning was dismissed as irrelevant. In 2025, it’s now a moral obligation.
• In 2018, Osun West was told to wait. In 2025, they are being begged to “come back home.”
• In 2018, competence was prioritized over zoning. In 2025, zoning is now a tool to regain lost ground.

This pattern shows that Osun APC doesn’t believe in fairness, equity, or justice—it only believes in winning at all costs.
Osun West Should Demand More Than Empty Promises

The people of Osun West must not be deceived by this newfound APC love. If the party genuinely cared about zoning, they would have upheld the principle in 2018 when it truly mattered. Instead, they sidelined the region, imposed an Osun Central candidate, and now want to exploit the same zoning argument for their benefit.

If the APC wants Osun West’s support, they must first:
• Apologize for frustrating the region’s 2018 aspirations.
• Show genuine commitment to power rotation beyond mere political convenience.
• Prove that their interest in Osun West isn’t just a desperate strategy for 2026 but a long-term commitment to equity.

Without these, Osun West must reject this sudden APC “love” and remain politically conscious of those who truly fought for their cause when it mattered.
Conclusion: Osun West Deserves Better Than APC’s Political Games

Osun APC’s hypocrisy is clear. They ignored Osun West in 2018 when zoning was needed, only to turn around in 2025 pretending to champion the same cause. Their sudden change in tone is not about fairness—it’s about survival.

The people of Osun West must ask: If APC wins in 2026, will they still remember their promises, or will they once again shift narratives for convenience?

One thing is certain: Osun West deserves better than being used as a pawn in APC’s political chess game.
Sikiru Ayantunji writes from Iwo Local Government, Osun State.