Group says 23-year exclusion must end, accuses Idofin-Igbana of political domination
The Elites Youth Forum of Idofin Odo-Ashe in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State has called for fairness and equitable distribution of political positions, declaring that the community “should no longer be treated as a political appendage” to Idofin-Igbana.
In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists, the group was reacting to a recent position by “some minority APC Youths” from Idofin-Igbana Wards 1 and 2.
The forum argued that while every community has the right to express concerns, discussions must reflect the collective interest of all wards in Oke-Ero.
According to the statement signed by the Elites Youth Forum, Idofin Odo-Ashe comprises three communities: Odo Aga, Ehin Afo, and Ayekale. The group said it has a larger population than the two wards in Idofin-Igbana combined.
The youths alleged that for nearly 24 years, Idofin Odo-Ashe has been sidelined in the zoning of political offices.
“The last time Idofin Odo-Ashe enjoyed an elective position was between 2003 and 2007 when Hon. J.N. Olaniyan, who hails from Idofin Ehin-Afo, served in the Kwara State House of Assembly. That is about 23 years ago,” the statement read.
In contrast, the group listed several positions held by indigenes of Idofin-Igbana under the current administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
They cited the appointment of Hon. Gbenga Victor Yusuf from Idofin-Igbana Ward 1 as Oke-Ero TIC Chairman for over three years, Hon. Aboyeji from Idofin Igbana Ward 2 as Supervisory Councillor for Works, and Hon. Sumbo Florence Oyeyemi from Idofin Igbana Ward 1 as Commissioner for Finance for four years. Their sacred words then in Yoruba language was “Eni Ifa o tosi lonpe ni awufu..”
The forum also noted that the Kwara State House of Assembly seat zoned to Idofin District in 2015-2019 went to the late Hon. Afolayan Musa Moses from Idofin-Igbana Ward 2, while Engr. Benjamin Oyeyemi, the father in-law of Florence Oyeyemi from Idofin Igbana Ward 1 had also previously occupied the same seat.
We must recall that, when political appointments and elective positions favored a particular ward, roles such as the Commissioner for Finance, General Manager of RUWASA, and Local Government Chairman, all held concurrently under the first administration of our leader, Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq CON, where were the calls for fairness and equity at that time? So we must know that, justice must be applied consistently; it cannot be sought solely when it serves one side’s interests.
The group said its agitation is the reason it is supporting Hon. Bakare Latifat Titilope for the Oke-Ero Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly.
They described Bakare, who hails from Idofin Ayekale in Idofin Odo-Ashe, as “the most suitable” candidate because Ayekale “has not benefited from any elective or appointment position in recent years.”
“Our agitation is clear. We are not an appendage to Idofin-Igbana. It is our turn in Idofin Odo-Ashe,” the youths stated.
The forum accused Idofin-Igbana of seeking to control multiple positions at once, including both the House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets, while other communities “continue watching as usual.”
“Justice must be consistent. It cannot be demanded only when it benefits one side,” the statement added, questioning why calls for equity were not made when multiple appointments were given to one ward in the first administration of Governor AbdulRazaq.
The youths stressed that the statement was not an attack on Idofin-Igbana.
“This is not a fight against Idofin-Igbana. We are all members of the same party and the same local government. Our call is for balance, equity, and mutual respect among all communities,” they said.
They concluded: “Let us build a party where every community has a voice, where no one is marginalized, and where political opportunities are distributed fairly. Odo-Ashe deserves freedom from political exclusion. Enough is enough. Let fairness, equity, justice, and unity prevail for all.”
Signed: Elites Youth Forum of Idofin Odo-Ashe