IFO LEADERS SEEK ROTATION OF FEDERAL LAWMAKER SEAT FOR 2027 ELECTION
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Ifo Progressive Indigenes Forum (IPIF) in Ogun State has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its House of Representatives ticket for the Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency to Ifo Local Government in the 2027 general elections, citing what it described as a long-standing imbalance in representation.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta and signed by the forum’s Chairman, Abdul Oladosu, and Secretary, Kehinde Egbeyemi.
According to the group, the release of the 2027 election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revived what it described as a critical moral debate within the constituency.
The forum noted that democracy thrives not only on elections but also on visible fairness, stressing that political representation in a constituency shared by two local governments should follow a rotational arrangement.
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IPIF said the call for zoning the party’s ticket to Ifo had been repeatedly raised by party members since the last election cycle and is now being reinforced by new entrants into the party.
To support its position, the forum cited voting figures from recent elections, stating that the numbers reflect Ifo’s electoral strength within the constituency. It said Ifo delivered 20,653 votes for the party in the last gubernatorial election, while Ewekoro recorded 20,415 accredited voters and 8,192 votes.
The group also pointed out that during the 2023 presidential election, Ifo produced 26,507 votes, compared with Ewekoro’s 9,778.
“Looking at the electoral arithmetic of Ifo/Ewekoro, the figures clearly speak for themselves. Beyond the numbers is the structural reality,” the statement said.
The forum further highlighted what it described as a historical imbalance in representation since the constituency was created in 1999. It noted that politicians from Ewekoro, including former lawmaker Bamidele Obadina and the current representative Ibrahim Isiaka, have collectively occupied the seat for more than two decades.
“Since the creation of the constituency in 1999, representation has largely favored Ewekoro. Bamidele Obadina and the incumbent Ibrahim Isiaka, both from Ewekoro, have together held the seat for over twenty years.
“In contrast, Ifo has had only two representatives: Abayomi Collins (1999–2007) and Adekunle Adeyemi (2011–2015). In nearly three decades, Ifo has occupied the seat for about twelve years, while Ewekoro has held it for more than sixteen.
“This is not a sentimental complaint but a measurable imbalance. If left unresolved, such disparity could gradually weaken party unity and undermine the democratic principle that loyalty and contribution should be fairly rewarded,” the forum stated.
While acknowledging the efforts of the incumbent lawmaker, the group maintained that fairness demands broader political inclusion and opportunities for other parts of the constituency. It therefore urged the APC to allow the seat to rotate to Ifo in the 2027 elections.
The forum also commended the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as inclusive governance, and praised Dapo Abiodun for infrastructure development in the area, noting that several road projects have improved connectivity and boosted economic activities in Ifo and nearby communities.
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