…Urges Oyebanji, Party Stakeholders on inclusion
The people of Ikere Ekiti in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State have alleged marginalisation and non-inclusion in the opportunity to field a candidate that would represent Ekiti South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.
The indigenes under the aegis of Concerned Ikere Stakeholders in conjunction with the Supreme Council of Ikere Youths (SCIY) deliberated on the alleged marginalisation of Ikere Local Government, with respect to representation in the National Assembly particularly the House of Representatives over the last twenty-three (23) years.
The forum considered the lack of representation as an act of injustice and a violation of its rights as members of the Federal constituency.
The stakeholders in a communique on Sunday signed on behalf of the forum by Otunba Sola Adewunmi, Chief Akin Afuye and others, in Ado-Ekiti expressed the desire to have an indigene as an elected Member of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, by 2027. The determination they said was the position of all Ikere indigenes at home and abroad.
The communique reads in part, “This desire is in the spirit of fairness, equity, justice and representative democracy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.)
“Considering that Ekiti South-West and Ise/Orun LGAs have occupied the office for the past 23years, it is only fair and just that Ikere Local Government be allowed to produce the representative for the Federal Constituency in 2027.
“We are resolute on this demand and are committed to ensuring that this desire becomes a reality.
“We call on the state governor Biodun Oyebanji and leaders of all the political parties in Ekiti State to ensure that only indigenes of Ikere Local Government emerge as candidate(s) for the Ekiti South Federal Constituency I in the forthcoming 2027 National Assembly election.”
They therefore appealed to all Ikere indigenes, particularly youths to remain calm peaceful and not allow any unscrupulous individual to take advantage of the tense situation.
“Ikere community and the stakeholders have confidence in the ability of the State Governor and other leaders in Ekiti State to resolve this matter without much ado”, the stakeholders stated.
