Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency have urged the party to prioritise electability, grassroots acceptance and voter mobilisation capacity in selecting candidates for the 2027 general elections, saying such an approach would strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a wider victory margin.
The call was made during the APC Grassroots Engagement Network (APC-GEN) Voter Education and Grassroots Mobilisation Outreach held on Sunday in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to the stakeholders, the recently concluded Ondo South Senatorial bye-election has provided valuable lessons for the APC as it begins preparations for the 2027 polls.
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They noted that despite the party’s victory, voter participation remained low, with only 70,811 voters accredited out of 672,302 registered voters, representing a turnout of about 10.5 per cent. The APC secured 68,474 votes in the election.
The forum maintained that while the APC remains the dominant political force in Ondo State, the figures highlight the need for stronger grassroots mobilisation and increased voter participation if President Tinubu is to surpass his 2023 performance in the district.
Stakeholders recalled that Tinubu polled 106,052 votes in Ondo South during the 2023 presidential election, while APC senatorial candidate Senator Jimoh Ibrahim secured 110,665 votes, which they described as evidence of the party’s strength when mobilisation efforts are effectively coordinated.
They stressed that electoral success should not rest solely on candidates, insisting that party leaders, elected officials, political appointees and grassroots structures must all play active roles in mobilising voters.
The stakeholders argued that candidates with proven grassroots acceptance, credibility and the ability to unite party members are more likely to inspire confidence among voters, increase turnout and strengthen the APC’s overall performance.
They identified High Chief Dele Omosehin as one of the politicians whose sustained grassroots engagement has earned significant goodwill across Okitipupa and Irele communities.
According to the forum, Omosehin’s popularity among party members and local residents places him in a strong position to attract undecided voters and help the APC secure a broader support base ahead of the next general election.
The stakeholders also reaffirmed the importance of respecting the longstanding political arrangement between Okitipupa and Irele, saying the rotational understanding has contributed to fairness, stability and cohesion within the party.
They further pointed to bye-election results showing Okitipupa recording 16,330 votes compared with Irele’s 9,036 votes, insisting that electoral realities and grassroots support should guide future decisions affecting the federal constituency.
The group appealed to President Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee and party leaders to ensure that candidate selection processes are guided by the objective of presenting aspirants capable of delivering decisive victories for the APC in 2027.
They also pledged to continue working with APC-GEN to deepen voter education, strengthen polling unit structures and mobilise greater grassroots support across Ondo State.
