We Are Being Sidelined” – Akoko North West Youths Demand Equity in Political Appointments

We voice profound alarm at the deliberate sidelining of Constituency 2 (encompassing Irun, Ogbagi, Ese, and Afin), where highprofile federal and state positions have been disproportionately monopolized by Constituency 1 (Arigidi, Okeagbe, etc.). This lopsided pattern flagrantly contravenes the *Federal Character Principle*, erodes the sacred tenets of intraparty equity, and deprives loyal APC foot soldiers in Constituency 2 of their rightful “dividends of democracy.”

Constituency 1’s dominance is starkly evident: it has secured the House of Representatives seat twice consecutively (Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo followed by Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero), alongside an avalanche of ministerial and board appointments that mock the ethos of balanced representation.

*Dominant Appointments Controlled by Constituency 1:*

1. Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo – Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
2. Prof. Taiwo Oyedele – Minister of State for Finance.
3. Obanla Kehinde – Local Government Party Chairman.
4. Hon. Nathaniel Adojutelegan – Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
5. Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero – Member, House of Representatives (Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency).
6. Hon. Elder Akande – Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Ondo State.
7. Hon. Tunji Abayomi – Chairman, Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.
8. Hon. Muyiwa Asagunla – Board Member, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo.
9. Hon. Tokunbo Kayode – Chairman, Commerce and Industry.

In the unyielding pursuit of justice, fairness, and APC unity, we implore the Governor and State Chairman to prioritize Constituency 2 in forthcoming state appointments and federal nominations. The impending primaries and general elections demand a resolute embrace of equity, ensuring Constituency 2’s indomitable role in steering Ondo State’s and Nigeria’s governance trajectory.

We stand unwaveringly committed to the APC’s triumph, but the insidious “winner takes all” paradigm favoring one constituency must be dismantled forthwith to galvanize enduring grassroots allegiance across our Local Government.