In The Spirit Of Fairness, Give Us House Of Reps Ticket In Ota State Constituency – Ota, Awori Youth Movement Demands Equitable Representation

The Ota-Awori Youth Movement, ably led by its President and Akeweje of Ota, Chief Rafiu Bakare had vowed to use their numerical advantage which they have over Ado-Igbesa State Constituency in the 2027 election, if the All Progressives Congress zone the Ado-Odo/Ota Federal House of Representatives ticket to Ota.

The communique which was issued at a conference earlier held at the Ota Town hall and signed by the Akeweje of Ota, President of Ota Youth Assembly, Prince Adefolarin Ojugbele and other Youth representatives in Ota State Constituency 1 which comprises of Otun, Osi, Ijana, Oruba, Eleidi-Atala, Ijagba, Idimu, Ilasa, Iyesi, Ilogbo, Onigbongbo, Sango, Itele, and host of others, was later submitted to the palace of Olota of Ota.

Speaking on behalf of all youths present, the Akeweje of Ilogbo, Ota, Ojogbon Edet Imole reiterated the urgent need for balanced representation in the House of Representatives seat, stressing that despite Ota having a larger population and voter base than the neighboring Ado/Igbesa constituency, the political seat has largely been dominated by Ado/Igbesa, resulting in a longstanding imbalance that has limited development and political influence for Ota.

The communique as further buttressed by the President of Ota Youth Assembly, Prince Adefolarin Ojugbele, ‘the grievances of the Youth Movement is that the constituency has since been marginalized in the scheme of things, emphasizing the adherence to the unwritten law of rotation, which alternates the offices of Federal Representative and Local Government Chairman between the Ota and Ado/Igbesa constituencies to ensure fairness, equity, and peaceful coexistence’.

The youth movement recalled that since 1999, Ota has held only two tenures out of seven in the House of Representatives, despite having 8,628 registered voters compared to Ado/Igbesa’s 672 in the ongoing voters registration which corroborates the existing pattern of voting in both the state Clconstituencies and underscoring the disproportionate representation. They warned that the imbalance has hampered development, marginalized Ota’s voice in governance, limited opportunities for political elites from the community, and slowed infrastructural and social progress.

As part of their advocacy, the Ota-Awori Youth Movement demanded that the seat be shifted to Ota state constituency and that High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun (LARRYBASH), who is an Aspirant under the All Progressives Congress becomes the candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

“The Seriki of Ota Kingdom and Chief of Staff to the Olota of Ota, boasts extensive experience in community development, conflict resolution, and youth empowerment, and is widely respected across the constituency”. The communique reads in part.

The youth pledged to mobilize voters, contribute resources, and ensure strong participation to secure a fair outcome in 2027, warning that if ignored, they would vote en masse for parties aligned with the community’s interests.

The delegation met the absence of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Prof.) Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II), but were warmly received by the Onikotun of Otun, His Royal Highness, Oba Abdulakeem Ajani Odunaro, in company with other palace chiefs, who acknowledged the youth’s concerns and commitment to fair representation.