As Ogun State gradually aligns its political compass toward the 2027 general elections, the question of equity in representation has resurfaced with renewed urgency. Nowhere is this more evident than in Yewa North Local Government Area, particularly in Isokan State Constituency I, where concerns over imbalance between Iju and Ayetoro zones continue to shape political discourse.

The facts are neither speculative nor emotional; they are historical. Since 1999, the Iju Zone has held the constituency seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly for about twenty years, while the Ayetoro Zone has occupied it for only eight years. In a constituency built on dual blocs, such a pattern inevitably raises questions about fairness, inclusion, and democratic balance.

This concern becomes even more compelling when viewed against the broader political context of Ogun State. The governorship position has been zoned to Ogun West in the spirit of equity, culminating in the emergence of Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision has been widely applauded as a demonstration of political justice at the state level.

However, equity must not stop at the top. Its true test lies at the grassroots; If fairness is the guiding principle for power distribution at the state level, then it must also reflect within constituencies such as Isokan. Anything short of this risks creating a disconnect between political rhetoric and lived reality.

It is within this context that stakeholders, youths and the people of Ayetoro are calling not just for adjustment, but for leadership.

Prominent sons and daughters of Ayetoro Zone; including the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako; former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi; Hon. Bisiriyu Popoola; Hon. Olaifa Jimoh Aremu (OJA); and the APC Local Government Chairman, Adekunle Gabriel Adeosun (Garbadeen) are uniquely positioned to lend their voices and influence toward achieving a just and balanced outcome.

Their silence or hesitation at this critical moment may be interpreted not as neutrality, but as a missed opportunity to advance fairness for their people. Leadership, after all, is not only measured by positions held, but by the courage to act when equity is at stake.

Equally, respected leaders from Iju Zone including the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Jagunmolu Omoniyi; Chief Olu Agemo; and Senator Kola Bajomo have a vital role to play in fostering unity through statesmanship. Supporting a fair rotation at this time would not diminish Iju’s political relevance; rather, it would reinforce its commitment to justice and strengthen inter-zonal cohesion.

The responsibility also extends to political parties. Candidate selection processes remain one of the most powerful tools for correcting structural imbalances in representation. As 2027 approaches, parties must recognize that fairness is not only morally right but politically strategic. Inclusive decisions build trust, while exclusion breeds apathy and resistance.

Importantly, the people themselves are not passive observers in this process. The electorate is increasingly aware, engaged, and capable of making independent political choices. Voting patterns are shaped not only by party strength but by perceived justice, inclusion, and respect for collective identity.

The growing consensus is clear: Ayetoro Zone is not seeking dominance, but fairness; not concession, but recognition as an equal stakeholder in the constituency.

The situation in Isokan State Constituency I, therefore, presents a defining moment. It is an opportunity for leaders across both zones to rise above narrow interests and demonstrate a shared commitment to equity one that aligns with the very principles that shaped Ogun State’s current political zoning arrangement.

History is often unkind to moments where justice was possible but ignored. The decisions made in the coming weeks will not only shape electoral outcomes but also define the legacy of those entrusted with leadership today.

 

Comrade Jimoh Ibrahim is a grassroots mobilizer in Ogun State, Nigeria