A coalition of political stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers within the Accord Party in Osun State has cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against approving automatic tickets for incumbent federal lawmakers, warning that such a move could create internal crisis within the party.
The group expressed its concerns in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday and signed by Adekunle Gabriel on behalf of the coalition.
According to the stakeholders, while efforts aimed at maintaining political stability and cohesion within the party are understandable, the long-term strength of any political structure depends on fairness, inclusiveness and the confidence of party members and the electorate.
They warned that sidelining other aspirants who have invested time, resources and grassroots mobilisation in the political process could generate discontent among party members and weaken political participation.
“History has consistently shown that when the political field is perceived to be uneven, grassroots morale weakens and opposition forces gain unnecessary advantage. Political strength is best preserved through open and credible competition, not closed arrangements,” the statement said.
The coalition also noted that voters in Osun State are politically conscious and sensitive to issues of exclusion or preferential treatment, stressing that public goodwill must be sustained through fairness and transparency in political processes.
It further stated that many aspirants across the state have already committed significant resources to consultations, mobilisation and community engagement, warning that granting structural advantages to a few could create tensions capable of affecting the party’s stability.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful and responsible political engagement in the state and urged the governor and party leaders to carefully consider the broader electoral and institutional implications of any decision that could limit open participation in the party’s processes.
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