Indigenes of the seven towns that make up Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State have called on political parties in the state to zone the House of Representatives ticket for Ife Federal Constituency to their council area.
The indigenes under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned stakeholders, youth representatives, union leaders and student executives, said the town has been relegated to second-class status among the four local governments in the federal constituency.
Addressing journalists in Ipetumodu on Thursday, the coalition chairman, Bolaji Olabode, said the local government created in 1989 and with the second largest landmass in Osun has been reduced to a mere voting bloc and has been sidelined in the distribution of political power and representation.
Olabode said political opportunities have always tilted towards other local governments in the Federal Constituency, adding that the imbalance contradicts the principles of equity and justice.
He said, “We are calling on political parties, most especially, the Accord and the All Progressives Congress to zone their 2027 House of Representatives tickets for Ife Federal Constituency to Ife North. The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party were both from Ife Central Local Government.
“Within the broader structure of the Ife Federal Constituency, where Ife North stands alongside Ife Central, Ife East, and Ife South, it is evident that political advantage has consistently tilted toward more urbanised centres, leaving our people to negotiate from a position of collective disadvantage.
While others consolidate power through elite networks and institutional presence, Ife North is often expected to align, support, and deliver votes without a commensurate stake in leadership.
“We must emphasize that this challenge is not confined to any single political party, nor is it a reflection of our inability as a local government to align, realign, or strategically position ourselves while waiting for opportunities to be zoned to us and it must be said that this scenario is only one among many instances of marginalization we have endured, both within our federal constituency and across Osun State.”
Olabode also called for equitable political inclusion of Ife-North in both elective and appointive positions within the Ife Federal Constituency and Osun State at large.
He added that the federal lawmakers representing the local government have not been doing well for the seven communities.
“We are prepared to mobilise and work with any political party willing to enter into a concrete agreement with us, specifically on the House of Representatives ticket and the appointment of a commissioner in the forthcoming governorship cycle,” he added.
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666