A socio-political organisation, the Ekiti North Progressive Youth Alliance (EKNPYA), has called for the senatorial seat of Ekiti North Senatorial District to be zoned to Ikole Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing the need for fairness and balanced representation.
The group’s coordinator, Tayelolu Ajayi, argued that Ikole has been excluded from producing a senator since Nigeria returned to democratic rule, insisting that justice and equity now require that the position be ceded to the council.
Ajayi, who made this known in a statement issued on Sunday in Ido Ekiti, criticised what he described as moves by some political actors to re-nominate current National Assembly members despite alleged underperformance. He warned that such attempts would face opposition.
He also dismissed plans for a consensus arrangement for legislative seats in the district, describing the idea as undemocratic.
Currently, all nine National Assembly positions from Ekiti State are held by members of the All Progressives Congress. Among them are Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South), and Cyril Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North.
Ekiti North Senatorial District consists of five local government areas: Ikole, Oye, Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje.
Ajayi said, “Suppression of other aspirants in the name of consensus is a political fraud, which will be wholesomely rejected by voters.”
He further argued that presenting incumbents as automatic choices for re-election undermines democratic principles.
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Making a case for Ikole, he said, “To entrench the doctrines of justice, equity and fairplay in the Ekiti North’s political equation, Ikole Local Government should be allowed to present a candidate for the senatorial seat, rather than angling on recycled leadership that often breeds mediocrity and hatred”.
The group also appealed to political stakeholders to prioritise merit and competence, stressing that the district is home to capable individuals who can drive development.
“At this critical juncture, equity, fairness, and strategic thinking must guide our decisions. It is time to give deliberate consideration to Ikole Local Government. By every standard of balance and justice, Ikole deserves a fair shot at the senatorial seat,” he said.
Ajayi maintained that despite being the largest local government area in Ekiti North—and second only to Ado Ekiti in the state—Ikole has yet to produce a senator since the advent of democracy.
“This longstanding imbalance must now be addressed in the interest of unity, inclusiveness and sustainable progress. There must be true representation.
“True representation will bring strategic infrastructure projects, sustainable empowerment programmes with measurable scale, industrial and agricultural value-chain development, institutional presence that attracts federal investments and bold legislative advocacy translating into real benefits for constituents,” he stated.