IKale Youths Warn APC Against Alleged Automatic Ticket Plot in Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency
Calls for Respect of Longstanding Zoning Arrangement to Preserve Peace, Unity, and Electoral Stability
PRESS RELEASE
BEING A STATEMENT RELEASED AFTER OUR GENERAL MEETING OF THE IKALE YOUTHS MOVEMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS:
The leadership of Ikale Youths Development Movement, under the office of its President, wishes to urgently call the attention of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a developing issue capable of causing avoidable political tension in the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
We have received unconfirmed reports from Abuja suggesting that there are plans to grant an automatic ticket to Ho. Jimi Odimayo for the House of Representatives seat. If this information proves true, it would not only undermine democratic principles but also disrupt a long standing political understanding that has sustained peace and fairness in our constituency since 1999.
For over two decades, the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency has operated a conventional zoning arrangement based on equity and mutual respect. This arrangement, widely accepted by stakeholders across party lines, follows the principle of “Irele does one term, Okitipupa does two terms.” This formula was not arbitrarily designed, it reflects the structural realities of the constituency, where Okitipupa has two state constituencies while Irele has one. It is, therefore, a balanced system aimed at ensuring fair representation.
It is important to remind the APC leadership that this zoning formula has contributed significantly to political stability in the constituency. Any attempt to alter or ignore this arrangement, especially through the imposition of an automatic ticket, risks triggering discontent and division among party members and the wider electorate.
We also recall that earlier in 2024, Hon. Jimi Odimayo himself publicly acknowledged this zoning principle during a live appearance on TVC. He clearly stated that the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency operates a zoning system where Irele does one term and Okitipupa does two. This admission underscores the legitimacy and acceptance of the arrangement, even by key beneficiaries of the system.
Given this context, it is only just and proper that the House of Representatives ticket for the next election cycle returns to Okitipupa in line with the established rotation. Any deviation from this understanding would be widely perceived as unjust and could erode trust in the party’s commitment to fairness.
The Ikale Youths Development Movement is particularly concerned about the potential consequences of such a decision. The people of Okitipupa, who hold significant voting strength due to their two constituencies, may feel marginalized if the ticket is unfairly allocated. This could lead to voter apathy or even protest votes against the APC candidate, thereby creating an opening for opposition parties to capitalize on the situation and win the seat.
We must emphasize that this is not a threat but a realistic assessment of the political dynamics on the ground. The strength of any political party lies in its ability to manage internal expectations and uphold justice among its members. Ignoring a long-standing agreement could have far-reaching electoral consequences.
Furthermore, granting an automatic ticket undermines the democratic process. It deprives qualified aspirants of the opportunity to contest and denies party members the right to choose their representative through a transparent and credible process. Democracy thrives on participation, not imposition.
In 2015, a sitting senator, Pastor Yele Omogunwa, used his influence within the APC in Abuja to secure his return ticket against the arrangement in the South. The constituents voted against him and he lost the election. Consequently, the PDP won the senatorial seat in Ondo South in 2019. This must not repeat itself in 2027. The constituents of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency are well-read and enlightened, they will resist any form of automatic ticket through their votes in the main election.
We therefore strongly urge the national leadership of the APC to respect the existing zoning arrangement and jettison any attempt to grant an automatic ticket to Hon. Jimi Odimayo. Doing so will not only preserve unity within the party but also reinforce the party’s image as a fair and democratic institution.
The Ikale Youths Development Movement remains committed to peace, fairness, and democratic values. We call on all stakeholders to act in the best interest of the constituency and ensure that justice prevails.
Signed,
Comrade Agboola Olatujoye. President, Ikale Youths Development Movement.
