By Cross Udo, Abuja
A coalition of former local government chairmen from Kwara State’s Ekiti bloc has petitioned the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging nearly three decades of political marginalisation in the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a petition dated May 8, 2026, and addressed to APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the group warned that the continued exclusion of the Ekiti bloc from the House of Representatives seat could trigger discontent capable of undermining party unity and electoral fortunes in the constituency.
The former council chairmen accused the dominant Igbomina bloc of monopolising the federal constituency seat since the return of democratic rule in 1999.
“The Igbomina bloc has consistently occupied the seat to the disadvantage of the Ekiti people,” the petition stated.
The constituency comprises four local government areas and is largely divided between the Igbomina and Ekiti ethnic blocs.
The petitioners argued that the Ekiti bloc had endured “political marginalisation and perpetual servitude” for almost 28 years and deserved consideration in the spirit of fairness, equity and inclusiveness.
“Our present outcry and agitation are based on the fact that, for almost 28 years, the Ekiti bloc deserves due consideration to address this political imbalance,” the letter read.
The petition was signed by former chairmen of Ekiti Local Government Area — Olaiya Bello, Dele Abiodun, Ayeni Yinka Dallas and Kehinde Bayode — as well as former Oke-Ero Local Government chairmen, Aminat Folake Yusuf and Owolabi Michael Sunday, on behalf of Kwara-Ekiti Indigenous Stakeholders.
They warned that the growing contest over the APC House of Representatives ticket could deepen ethnic tensions and weaken political cooperation within the constituency.
According to the group, the prolonged exclusion of the Ekiti bloc has contributed to poor infrastructure, rising unemployment, inadequate healthcare and broader underdevelopment in the area.
The stakeholders urged the APC leadership to intervene through dialogue and political negotiations to preserve peace and strengthen internal cohesion within the party.
“Use your good offices to salvage the Ekiti bloc from this constant democratic oppression,” the petitioners appealed.
They added that granting the Ekiti bloc an opportunity to produce the next representative would restore confidence among party members and boost support for the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
The coalition also cautioned that failure to address the grievances could fuel voter apathy, internal divisions and possible defections within the party.
