Ondo Concerned Citizens Warn Against Non-Indigenous Candidates for 2027 Senate Seat
The Ondo Concerned Citizens group has issued a stark warning regarding the potential emergence of non-indigenous candidates for the Ondo South Senatorial District seat in the upcoming 2027 election. The group emphasizes that such a development could trigger significant tensions and political instability within the district, labeling it a grave miscalculation for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other stakeholders involved.
Background and Political Calculations
This warning comes in the wake of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim's appointment as an ambassador to the United Nations, which has left the senatorial seat vacant. The vacancy has ignited intense political maneuvering across the district's six local government areas, with various factions jockeying for position. According to the group, the district, as an integral part of Yoruba land, requires a representative who is not only culturally grounded but also linguistically fluent in the traditions and heritage of the Yoruba people.
Statement from Group Leaders
In a detailed statement signed by Chairman Victor Olorundare and Secretary Ibukun Owolabi, the group called upon key Yoruba leaders and organizations to address this issue urgently. They specifically appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Yoruba Council of Elders, Afenifere under Reuben Fasoranti, and prominent indigenes of Ondo State to intervene. The group argued that allowing a non-indigenous candidate to contest could precipitate a crisis, undermining the district's political harmony.
Concerns Over Representation and Legacy
The statement highlighted specific concerns, noting that the Ijaw extraction from Ese Odo already holds a seat in the House of Representatives, with another individual from the same group aspiring for the Senate. The group warned that if this scenario materializes in 2027, it would effectively result in Bayelsa State having four senators while Ondo State is left with only two, creating an imbalance in regional representation.
Furthermore, the group stressed that imposing a candidate without ancestral or cultural ties to Oduduwa, the historical and spiritual symbol of Yoruba identity, would desecrate the legacies of revered leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo and Michael Adekunle Ajasin. They expressed a firm commitment to preserving the enduring contributions of founding fathers and selfless leaders, including Reuben Fasoranti, Olu Falae, Adebayo Adefarati, Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the incumbent governor, Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa.
Recommendations for Stakeholders
To address these concerns, the group recommended a thorough and objective assessment among Yoruba-speaking indigenes to identify a candidate who has made significant contributions to society, particularly in human capital development. They urged stakeholders to ensure that only a qualified individual, described as a "round peg in a round hole," is entrusted with the senatorial responsibility, emphasizing the need for the best candidate from the district's indigenous population.
In conclusion, the Ondo Concerned Citizens group reiterated their call for vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard the political integrity and cultural heritage of Ondo South, urging all parties to prioritize unity and respect for Yoruba traditions in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
