A group of aspirants and stakeholders from the Ekiti bloc of the Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to allow the zone to produce the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- +Ekiti bloc demands Kwara APC Reps ticket after 27 years
The stakeholders, under the umbrella of Concerned Aspirants and Stakeholders, Ekiti Bloc, said the appeal was anchored on the principles of justice, fairness, and equity, arguing that the bloc had never produced a representative for the constituency since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The stakeholders, under the umbrella of Concerned Aspirants and Stakeholders, Ekiti Bloc, said the appeal was anchored on the principles of justice, fairness, and equity, arguing that the bloc had never produced a representative for the constituency since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the National Working Committee of the APC, and the Kwara State chapter of the party, the stakeholders said the current political developments within the constituency suggest an attempt to sideline the bloc despite an existing unwritten rotational arrangement.
The constituency comprises four local government areas of Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke-Ero, traditionally grouped into two political blocs, namely the Igbomina bloc comprising Irepodun and Isin LGAs, and the Ekiti bloc made up of Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGAs.
The stakeholders alleged that since 1999, all occupants of the House of Representatives seat had emerged from the Igbomina bloc, leaving the Ekiti bloc politically marginalised for about 27 years.
They listed former and current representatives to include Bola Oni Bashir from Irepodun LGA between 1999 and 2003; Gbenga Peter Makanjuola from Irepodun between 2003 and 2011; Akeem Olayinka Aiyedun from Isin between 2011 and 2015; the late Funke Adedoyin from Irepodun between 2015 and 2018; and the incumbent lawmaker, Abdulraheem Olawuyi from Irepodun, who emerged through a by-election in 2018.
The group said the continued dominance of one bloc contradicted the principle of inclusion often promoted within the APC.
Quoting President Tinubu’s famous “Emi Lokan” declaration during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, the stakeholders declared, “Awa Lokan,” insisting that it was now the turn of the Ekiti bloc to produce the next representative.
“We can no longer remain silent or watch helplessly while the long-standing unwritten rotational arrangement within our federal constituency is being undermined and trampled upon,” the statement read.
The stakeholders expressed concerns over what they described as a “unity list” allegedly favouring the incumbent lawmaker, Olawuyi, following reports surrounding the purchase and submission of nomination forms.
According to them, the development had heightened fears that certain interests were attempting to impose a predetermined outcome on the party.
“This development represents a clear breach of the long-standing rotational understanding within the constituency and runs contrary to the very principle of ‘Emi Lokan’ that our President and party proudly championed,” the group stated.
The aspirants warned that failure to address the concerns of the Ekiti bloc could trigger resentment among party loyalists and weaken the APC’s electoral strength within the constituency.
“Many supporters are openly threatening protest votes should the alleged arrangement be allowed to stand,” the statement added.
The stakeholders noted that the Ekiti bloc had consistently supported the APC and contributed significantly to the party’s electoral victories in Kwara State over the years.
“We, therefore, passionately appeal to the leadership of our great party to urgently reconsider any alleged arrangement that seeks to undermine the unwritten rotational understanding within our constituency,” they said.
The group maintained that the appeal was not a rebellion against the APC but a sincere call for political inclusion and fairness.
“This appeal is not a threat to the party. Rather, it is a patriotic plea for wisdom, fairness, and political justice. History, justice, fairness, equity, and political morality are all on the side of the Ekiti bloc,” the statement added.
The stakeholders further stressed that while only one aspirant from the Ekiti bloc would eventually emerge as a candidate, the overriding concern remained ensuring that the bloc was finally given the opportunity to produce a representative after nearly three decades.
