Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kwara-Ekiti have petitioned the national leadership of the party to support the emergence of a candidate from the area for the forthcoming House of Representatives election. They alleged that the area has not fielded a candidate for the contest in 28 years, noting steady marginalisation from years of political imbalance and injustice.
Appeal to Party Leadership
The Kwara Ekiti-Indigene APC stakeholders made the appeal in a letter signed by their prominent political figures in Ekiti and Oke-Ero local government areas and addressed to the APC national chairman. The letter was also copied to newsmen in Ilorin. They urged the party leadership to urgently address what they called a long-standing imbalance by giving Kwara Ekiti the opportunity to produce a competent and credible candidate for the Green Chamber seat.
According to them, such an opportunity would correct a historical injustice, strengthen unity within the constituency, and restore the confidence of the people in the fairness and sincerity of the APC leadership. The stakeholders pleaded that their demand was not to create division among the ethnic groups within the constituency but instead to address justice that would promote fairness and inclusive participation in the democratic process.
Commitment to Peace and Loyalty
“We remain committed to peaceful engagement, party loyalty and collective progress,” the statement read. They also expressed confidence in the wisdom and sense of fairness of the party leadership, adding that they were hopeful their appeal would receive urgent and favourable consideration.
The statement, signed by former Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Alhaji Hon. Olaiya Bello; former Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government, Hon. Folake Yusuf from Oke-Ero Iga; former Chairman of Ekiti Local Government and Hon. Dele Abiodun, among others, alleged that the Igbominas, with just two local governments, have dominated the political space for the last 28 years.
Allegations of Marginalisation
“While we acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of our Igbomina brothers and sisters to the political development of the constituency, the prolonged monopoly of the seat has created a serious imbalance that contradicts the principle of equity, justice, fairness and inclusiveness upon which democracy thrives,” the stakeholders stated.
“The consequences of this marginalisation have been enormous on the Kwara Ekiti people. Politically, our people have become increasingly disillusioned and alienated from the political process. Developmentally, the absence of representation has weakened our voice in the allocation of opportunities, infrastructural projects, appointments and other democratic dividends that ordinarily should reach every component of the constituency fairly.
“It is painful that an entire ethnic bloc within the constituency has not been considered worthy of producing a representative for nearly three decades, despite our consistent loyalty, electoral contributions and commitment to the growth and success of the party at all levels,” they lamented.
Call for Equity and Unity
They affirmed that sustainable peace, unity and electoral strength can only be achieved where every section of the constituency feels a sense of belonging. Equity is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is the foundation of enduring political stability and mutual trust.
They, therefore, passionately appealed to the leadership of the party to urgently address this long-standing imbalance by supporting the emergence of a competent and credible candidate from Kwara Ekiti for the forthcoming House of Representatives election.
“Such a decision will not only correct historical injustice but will also strengthen the unity of the constituency and restore the confidence of our people in the sincerity and fairness of the party leadership,” they said.
