By Anifa Oluwapelumi
Stakeholders and political elders from the Ekiti and Oke Ero Local Government Areas of Kwara State have reaffirmed their commitment to the existing zoning arrangement for elective positions in the Kwara South Senatorial District, while rallying support for the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was reiterated at a stakeholders meeting held on Thursday at Harmony Hotel, Offa Garage, where political leaders, elders, aspirants and supporters from the Ekiti Bloc, comprising Ekiti and Oke Ero Local Government Areas, gathered to deliberate on political representation and the need for unity ahead of the elections.
The meeting also brought together stakeholders from across the wider political structure, with discussions focusing particularly on the understanding that the House of Representatives seat should be zoned to Ekiti, while the Senate seat should remain with the Igbomina axis.
Speaking at the meeting, the Asiwaju of Koro said the agitation was not about political party affiliation but about fairness, equity and adherence to an existing agreement.
He explained that letters had previously been written to political leaders on the zoning arrangement, stressing that Ekiti had supported the rotation of elective positions over the years and was now seeking an opportunity to benefit from the arrangement.
According to him, Omu Aran had occupied the House of Representatives position for about 22 years, while Ekiti had also produced a senator for approximately 12 years.
He said the demand was therefore not borne out of selfishness, but a desire for fairness among the communities that make up the constituency.
The stakeholder also addressed concerns surrounding the origin of the House of Representatives candidate, Florence Oyeyemi, particularly comments questioning whether she was originally from the area.
He argued that marriage had made her a member of the community, stressing that she should be regarded as one of them.
The meeting was attended by several prominent stakeholders, including Hon. Gbemisola Oguntimehin, Dr Audu, Hon. Araba, Otunba Taiwo Joseph, Chief J.B. Ayeni, Elder Gbadeyan, former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Raphael Adetiba, Chief Omogbenle Isaac, Mrs Olaifa, Prince Lekan Adewoye, Dr Musa Audu, Chief Taye Babatunde and others.
Chief J.B. Ayeni said he attended the meeting primarily as an elder concerned about the progress of Ekiti, rather than as a partisan politician.
He said Ekiti had not fully enjoyed the dividends of democracy and maintained that the community's political demands should be approached with moderation.
"We don't want to demand anything from you. Our 12 have spent 12 years there and we don't want to appear too demanding in respect of that," he said.
Ayeni's remarks centred on the need for Ekiti to secure meaningful political representation while maintaining good relationships with other communities within the constituency.
The first Executive Chairman of Ekiti, Elder Gbadeyan, also spoke about the character of the House of Representatives candidate, describing Florence Oyeyemi as humble and respectful.
He recalled an occasion when she knelt with both knees in humility even while serving as a commissioner, using the incident to illustrate her disposition towards elders and the people.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Raphael Adetiba, called for unity among stakeholders, noting that political representation was ultimately about who gets what, when and how.
He urged members of the various political blocs to set aside grievances and work together, stressing that the House of Representatives candidate from Ekiti should receive support from the senatorial axis, just as Ekiti would be expected to support the Senate candidate.
Adetiba also recalled the unsuccessful efforts to improve the road linking Iloffa and Odo, noting that having someone from an area in government did not automatically translate into development, as the office and influence attached to such a position also mattered.
Chief Omogbenle Isaac commended the elders for their role in the process and said he initially sought clarification about Florence Oyeyemi's connection to Ekiti when he first heard about her candidacy.
"When I was informed about the selection of this candidate, I was one of those that asked if she's one of us. And with the response I got, she's indeed one of us," he said.
He added that the positive accounts he heard about her character convinced him of her suitability and urged stakeholders to participate actively in her campaign.
Mrs Olaifa also described Florence as respectful and called on women in particular to stand behind her candidacy.
Prince Lekan Adewoye, the APC Senate candidate from Arandun, said while the gathering had been described as being beyond party politics, political considerations were naturally part of the meeting.
He urged APC members who had previously contested the party's primary elections to rally behind the candidates who emerged from the process.
"I want us to be strategic," Adewoye said, urging stakeholders to put previous interests behind them and work collectively.
He expressed confidence in the strength of the APC structure in Irepodun and called for reciprocal support between the various local government areas.
Adewoye also praised Florence for what he described as her humility, respect and generosity.
As part of his support for the development of the Ekiti community, Adewoye donated ₦10 million towards the ongoing Ekiti House of Fame project and ₦1 million towards the seating and refreshments.
The candidate, Yeye Florence Oyeyemi, described the meeting as a homecoming and expressed gratitude to the elders and stakeholders for accepting her as one of their own.
"This is homecoming for me and I'm thankful to everyone here. This is a responsibility and it's a privilege to see me here as one of you and not just a wife," she said.
She prayed for the grace not to misuse the opportunity entrusted to her and acknowledged the support of individuals who had contributed to her political journey, particularly Dr. Audu.
Oyeyemi also spoke about the role of the state government in creating opportunities for women and youths in politics, while calling for unity among members of the political structure.
She described Elder J.B. Ayeni as someone she had known for years and regarded as a father.
She also called for collective support for the APC candidates, stressing that winning elections required alignment and cooperation across the various local government areas.
Oyeyemi said she had been encouraged by the positive comments people continued to make about former public office holders from the area, adding that such examples motivated her to serve well and surpass previous achievements.
"Primarily, I just want not to disappoint my husband and his name," she said, before appealing to the stakeholders for their support.
She donated ₦5 million towards the Ekiti House of Fame project and ₦1 million towards the meeting.
Dr Musa Audu, who said he returned to the state a day before the meeting, explained that he had made a commitment to attend the gathering regardless of other engagements.
He described the meeting as significant, noting that it was the first time, to his knowledge, that Ekiti stakeholders had convened a gathering bringing together aspirants and political actors in such a manner.
Audu reaffirmed the zoning understanding between the communities, saying, "The agreement has always been Igbomina for Senate and Ekiti for Rep."
He also referred to his recent resignation from his former political platform, saying the decision was based on his position on equity and fairness.
"We must stand on our words. And by the grace of God, I'll support Ekiti with everything I have to make sure this is actualized," he said.
He urged stakeholders to return to their respective wards and communicate the message of unity and zoning, stressing that Ekiti alone could not secure the desired outcome without the support of other local government areas.
"We need other local governments just as they also need us," he said.
Audu further said the candidates were closely connected to both the state and federal political structures, urging stakeholders to work together towards their success.
He also donated ₦10 million to the ongoing Ekiti House of Fame project and ₦1 million for refreshments at the gathering.
The meeting, which is expected to strengthen consultations among stakeholders in the Ekiti Bloc and the wider Kwara South political structure, ended with renewed calls for unity, adherence to the zoning understanding and collective mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Post a Comment