A group of aspirants and stakeholders from the Ekiti bloc in the Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow the zone to produce the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.
Operating under the name Concerned Aspirants and Stakeholders, Ekiti Bloc, the group said its demand is based on principles of fairness, justice, and equity. According to them, the Ekiti bloc has not produced a representative for the constituency since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, and the party’s Kwara State leadership, the group claimed that recent political developments suggest attempts to sideline the bloc despite an existing informal rotational understanding within the constituency.
The constituency is made up of four local government areas: Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke-Ero. Traditionally, it is divided into two political blocs — the Igbomina bloc (Irepodun and Isin) and the Ekiti bloc (Ekiti and Oke-Ero).
The stakeholders alleged that since 1999, all House of Representatives members from the constituency have come from the Igbomina bloc, leaving the Ekiti bloc without representation for about 27 years.
They listed past and present lawmakers, noting that all were from Irepodun or Isin local governments. The group argued that this pattern contradicts the APC’s stated commitment to inclusion.
Referencing President Tinubu’s popular “Emi Lokan” political slogan during the 2023 election season, the stakeholders declared “Awa Lokan,” insisting that it is now the turn of the Ekiti bloc to produce the next representative.
They expressed concern over reports of a so-called “unity list” believed to favor the incumbent lawmaker, suggesting that such moves could undermine the rotational arrangement and impose a predetermined outcome within the party.
According to them, ignoring the bloc’s concerns could lead to dissatisfaction among party members and potentially weaken APC’s electoral strength in the constituency. They warned that some supporters might consider protest votes if their demands are not addressed.
The group emphasized that their appeal is not meant to challenge the APC leadership but to promote inclusion and fairness. They urged the party to reconsider any arrangement perceived as disregarding the longstanding understanding within the constituency.
While acknowledging that only one aspirant from the Ekiti bloc would eventually emerge as the candidate, the stakeholders maintained that the priority is ensuring the bloc is given the opportunity to contest the seat after nearly three decades.
