By: Jolaosho Lanre

At critical junctures in the life of a political family, leadership is measured not by convenience but by the courage to uphold justice, equity, and enduring balance. Such moments demand reflection beyond personal or sectional interests, calling instead for decisions that strengthen unity and preserve the moral foundation of our collective progress. As our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) approaches a decisive point regarding the representation of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, we are confronted with a responsibility that history itself will judge, one that requires clarity of purpose, fairness of mind, and firmness of action.

Our journey since 1999 tells a compelling story of shared trust and evolving balance. From 1999 to 2007, Ifo held the mandate through Hon. Abayomi Collins; Ewekoro followed from 2007 to 2011 under Hon. Dele Obadina. The baton returned to Ifo between 2011 and 2015 with Hon. Adekunle Adeyemi, before shifting once again to Ewekoro from 2015 till date under Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, whose tenure would have spanned twelve unbroken years by 2027. This pattern has, over time, nurtured unity and mutual respect between both local governments.

It is on the strength of this established understanding that a sincere and humble appeal is made to all our leaders, across Ifo and Ewekoro LGAs, that as we approach 2027–2031, the path of equity, fairness, and justice naturally points to a return of the mandate to Ifo. This is not a demand borne out of entitlement, but a reasoned expectation rooted in history, balance, and the very spirit of progressive politics that binds us together.

We must also commend the recent demonstration of maturity and unity within Ifo APC, where the highest decision-making organ, the Apex Body, engaged all aspirants and arrived at a unanimous position in support of Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye. This rare consensus is not only admirable but symbolic of disciplined leadership and shared purpose. It reflects a readiness to put collective interest above personal ambition, an example worthy of emulation across the Federal Constituency.

However, distinguished leaders, we respectfully urge that this moment should not end at acknowledgment, it must translate into decisive, coordinated action. The next phase calls for broader engagement, deeper consultation, and a deliberate effort to carry all stakeholders along, especially our brothers and sisters in Ewekoro, in the spirit of unity and fairness that has long defined us. This is a time to build bridges, not walls; to strengthen trust, not test it.

In this regard, we humbly call on His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State and leader of our great party, to kindly lend his respected voice and leadership to this matter. Your Excellency has, time and again, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fairness and equity, most recently through your instrumental role in addressing the long-standing imbalance in Ogun West Senatorial District with your support for Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan. We earnestly appeal that you bring that same sense of justice and statesmanship to bear in guiding this process, ensuring a decision that reflects balance, inclusion, and the collective interest of all.

As progressives, our strength has always been our ability to rise above division and act in the interest of the greater good. We therefore make this heartfelt appeal, let us, together, uphold the principle of balanced representation and take a decision that will stand the test of time. A decision that future generations will look back on with pride, knowing that at a critical juncture, their leaders chose justice over convenience.

The responsibility before us is weighty, but so too is the opportunity, an opportunity to reinforce unity, deepen trust, and further solidify the bond between Ifo and Ewekoro. Let us seize it with sincerity, courage, and a shared commitment to what is right.

In the end, history will not remember the arguments we made, but the fairness we upheld. And when that history is written, may it be said that the leaders of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency rose above all odds to make a courageous, equitable, and unifying decision, one that truly reflects the ideals of our great party and the aspirations of our people.