Kwara Community Wants Indigene for Reps Ticket

Some elders and youths of the All Progressives Congress in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State have said the party’s ticket for the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency should go to an indigene of the local government.

The group, led by the elders’ caucus leader, Bayo Alabi, and youth coordinator, Dayo Ashaolu, shared their thoughts in a joint statement released to Sunday PUNCH on Saturday.

They said Oke-Ero has waited for over twenty years to have a federal lawmaker represent the constituency. They believe this chance should not be missed now that the seat seems to be coming back to the local government.

The stakeholders insisted that the ticket should only go to a true indigene of Oke-Ero. They claimed the candidate being considered is from Ijebu in Ogun State, which they oppose.

Reports claiming that a non-indigene may become the APC candidate have caused worry among party members in the area.

They stated, “Now that the situation appears to be favouring the Ekiti bloc, particularly Oke-Ero Local Government, in our federal constituency following the withdrawal of Hon. Tunji Olawuyi from the race, it would be a great source of joy if a bona fide son or daughter of Ekiti emerges as the APC candidate.”

“Our position is that the House of Representatives ticket meant for Oke-Ero should not be given to someone we do not regard as an indigene of the local government.”

The stakeholders called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the APC leadership in Kwara State to look into the alleged nomination. They want support for what they call a genuine indigene of Oke-Ero for the seat.

They believe that this decision would help strengthen party unity, boost member confidence, and show the people that their hopes and sense of belonging matter.