- Stakeholders and youths from Ife-North had demanded that political parties zone the 2027 House of Representatives ticket to their area, citing long-standing exclusion
- The coalition had argued that despite contributing significantly to elections and the local economy, Ife-North had remained politically underrepresented since 1989
- Youth and student leaders had pledged to mobilise support, insisting that the agitation would continue until fair representation was achieved
Stakeholders, youths, students, and union representatives from Ife-North Local Government Area of Osun State have called for the zoning of the 2027 House of Representatives ticket of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party to the area, citing what they described as decades of political marginalisation.
The demand was made during a press conference organised by a coalition of Ife-North indigenes, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, who argued that the area had been consistently excluded from meaningful political representation since its creation in 1989.
Speaking at the event, the Coalition Chairman, Bolaji Olabode, described the demand as a matter of justice rather than negotiation. He stressed that Ife-North had waited long enough for equitable representation within the Ife Federal Constituency.
“This is not a plea—it is a demand rooted in justice. Ife-North has waited long enough. Our relevance must go beyond elections into actual representation,” he said.
Other stakeholders echoed similar concerns. Emmanuel Oderinola highlighted what he called a widening gap between the community’s electoral contributions and its level of development, stating that despite its importance, the area had not received corresponding political attention or opportunities.
Representing the youth constituency, Babalola Taiwo described the situation as generational marginalisation, insisting that the current political arrangement had systematically excluded the area for years.
A student leader, Oluwafemi Oladele, popularly known as Fresh, also expressed readiness among young people to mobilise in support of the demand, stating that the next phase of engagement would be more active and coordinated.
“We are ready to mobilise. The next phase will not be passive—we will be active participants in shaping our future,” he said.
The Coalition Secretary, Akinnibi Miftahudeen, emphasised that the agitation was not driven by party politics but by a call for fairness and balanced representation across the constituency.
“This is about fairness and equity. No political structure can remain credible while systematically excluding a people,” he said.
The coalition further called on other local governments within the Ife Federal Constituency—Ifẹ Central, Ife East, and Ife South—to support what it described as a push for a new political order based on justice and inclusivity.
It also demanded the immediate zoning of the 2027 House of Representatives ticket to Ife-North and the creation of a clear and transparent zoning framework to prevent future disputes.
The group warned that it would mobilise extensively if its demands were not considered, insisting that its agitation was rooted in long-standing grievances over political exclusion and development imbalance.