PRESS RELEASE

Coalition of Osun Progressive Youths Blasts Ismail Omipidan’s “Zoning Memo” as Tone-Deaf and Out of Touch with Reality

The Coalition of Osun Progressive Youths (COPYS) has strongly condemned the recent memo by Ismail Omipidan titled “Memo to Osun APC: How to dislodge PDP using Edo template” as a poorly disguised attempt to manipulate Osun politics in favor of self-serving interests.

The memo’s premise that Osun APC can simply “copy Edo” to win the governorship demonstrates a shocking disregard for the realities on the ground in Osun State. Osun West, the memo argues, is the natural zone for APC’s ticket. Yet, this oversimplified logic ignores the strong grassroots movements, progressive tendencies, and the popular mandate the incumbent enjoys across all senatorial districts.

We find it laughable that Omipidan seeks to reduce Osun’s complex political landscape to crude arithmetic of “years ruled” by each district. Does he suggest governance is merely a game of rotations and quotas, rather than competence, performance, and service to the people? COPY rejects this elitist, colonial-style view of zoning that treats voters as pawns in a zero-sum political game.

Furthermore, Omipidan’s attempt to involve Otunba Iyiola Omisore as a bargaining chip is not only disrespectful but shows he is out of touch with the genuine aspirations of Osun youths and grassroots stakeholders. The APC would be ill-advised to indulge such narrow and divisive advice that favors political calculation over the welfare of Osun people.

COPY calls on all political actors in Osun to rise above these shallow memos, which seek to stoke unnecessary divisions and undermine the growing progressive consensus in the state. Osun politics is no longer the playground of self-appointed kingmakers progressive, grassroots leaders and youths are now shaping the destiny of our state.

We urge the APC leadership to take note: the people of Osun are watching, and history will not forgive those who place political gimmicks above justice, fairness, and genuine development.

Signed:
Adebisi Titus
Osogbo, Osun State
15th November 2025.