The traditional rulers of Akure North Local Government Area in Ondo State have called for urgent political restructuring within the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency. They insist that the House of Representatives seat for the 2027 elections be zoned to Akure North.
Rising from a press conference, the monarchs said their intervention was driven by justice, fairness, and democratic inclusion. They alleged that Akure North has been politically sidelined since 1999.
Speaking on behalf of the council of Obas, the Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Oba Faborode Idowu, the Ogbolu of Itaogbolu Land, stated that every member of the House of Representatives elected since the return to democracy in 1999 had come from Akure South. This leaves Akure North without representation for over two decades.
Akure North is not a minor player in this constituency. It has 12 wards, more than Akure South, and is a multi-town local government rich in culture, population, and economic potential. The area serves as the agricultural backbone of the constituency, hosts the Akure Airport corridor along the Ilu-Abo/Oba-Ile axis, and stands today as an emerging industrial hub. Yet, despite these contributions, the area remains politically sidelined, an outcome that is not accidental but clearly a case of systemic marginalization, the monarch said.
He questioned the fairness of the arrangement, insisting that democracy must reflect equity among constituent communities. The monarchs also highlighted the strategic importance of the area, noting its role as an emerging industrial hub. Despite these contributions, the area continues to suffer political exclusion.
They further raised concerns over growing insecurity in parts of Akure North, warning that the situation is already affecting farming activities and local livelihoods. According to them, the absence of federal representation has weakened the ability of the area to attract attention to its security and development challenges.
The traditional rulers also pointed to an imbalance in political representation, noting that Akure South currently holds both the Senate and House of Representatives seats in the district. They argued that such concentration of political offices in one local government area is neither equitable nor sustainable.
We therefore state clearly and without hesitation that equity demands that the House of Representatives seat be conceded to Akure North, they declared.
The monarchs appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intervene and ensure that the 2027 ticket is zoned to Akure North. They stressed that their demand was not political blackmail but a call for fairness within the democratic system.
While reaffirming their loyalty to the President, the traditional rulers warned that continued exclusion could deepen political dissatisfaction in the area. As custodians of peace, we remain committed to maintaining stability; however, continued exclusion will inevitably breed discontent and weaken trust in party structures, they cautioned.
The monarchs, however, reiterated their support for President Tinubu's administration and pledged to mobilise their people for his re-election bid in 2027.
