Momentum has continued to build within the All Progressives Congress in the Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency as stakeholders close ranks around the recently adopted zoning arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections, with strong indications that the position has effectively become the dominant and uncontested path within the party.
What began as a resolution at the March 26, 2026 stakeholders’ meeting in Igboora has rapidly evolved into a constituency wide consensus, driven by sustained consultations and alignment across wards, grassroots structures and key interest blocs. Party figures now describe the zoning formula as a settled framework that reflects the clear and prevailing will of party members.
Under the arrangement, Ibarapa Central Local Government is to produce the candidate for the Oyo State House of Assembly, while Ibarapa North Local Government is positioned to produce the party’s candidate for the Federal House of Representatives. Of the two, the allocation of the House of Representatives ticket to Ibarapa North has emerged as the focal point of near-unanimous agreement.
Across the constituency, stakeholders insist that this aspect of the zoning structure is non-negotiable, citing widespread grassroots endorsement and political realities that make any alternative both impractical and risky. Party loyalists argue that the current alignment reflects a delicate balance that has already secured buy-in from critical actors, warning that any attempt to alter it could fracture the unity that is now taking shape.
“The message from the grassroots is consistent and unmistakable. This is the direction the people want, and anything contrary to it will be seen as going against the collective interest of the constituency,” a party source with direct knowledge of the consultations stated.
There is also a growing sentiment within party circles that respecting the zoning formula has become a test of discipline and loyalty. Stakeholders maintain that adherence to the agreement signals commitment to unity and electoral success, while opposition to it risks being interpreted as an attempt to undermine both the party and the expressed will of its members.
The experience of the 2023 elections continues to shape this position. Leaders point to the consequences of internal divisions at the time, noting that the current consensus is deliberately structured to prevent a repeat by eliminating ambiguity and fostering coordinated political engagement across Ibarapa Central and North.
At the same time, warnings have been issued against external interference, with stakeholders insisting that decisions concerning the constituency must remain in the hands of its people. There is a firm view that any attempt to override the zoning agreement from outside the constituency could provoke resistance and weaken the party’s standing among its core supporters.
Beyond zoning, the leadership has reaffirmed that all aspirants must meet clearly defined criteria, including proven loyalty, strong grassroots acceptance, and participation in a transparent and credible primary process. These conditions, they argue, are essential to sustaining the confidence that the zoning arrangement has already begun to generate.
With endorsements continuing to expand and internal alignment deepening, the zoning formula is increasingly being seen as the only viable pathway to a stable and competitive outing in 2027. Within the constituency, the calculation appears settled, uphold the agreement, preserve the emerging unity and consolidate victory.
Anything short of that, stakeholders warn, would not only disrupt the current momentum but carry significant political consequences for the party and those seem to be working against a clearly established consensus.
