Good people of Irele/Okitipupa federal constituency,
Agbi oma Ikale o.
Permit me to share my opinion for you to digest and observe over the lingering rotation argument.
Constitutionally, we have 3 state constituencies that formed Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency. They are:
1. Irele state constituency.
2. Okitipupa state constituency 1.
3. Okitipupa state constituency II.
In this sense, the 3 State constituencies have been adequately represented for Eight years each at the green chamber in Abuja from 1999 till date.
Below is the explicit analysis of how they were represented:
1999 to 2003 – Hon Sheba Abayomi from Irele State constituency.
2003 to 2007 – Hon (Dr) Oluwole Olakunde from Okitipupa State Constituency II.
2007 to 2011 – Hon (Dr) Oluwole Olakunde from Okitipupa State Constituency II .
2011 to 2015 – Hon Albert Akintoye from Irele State constituency.
2015 to 2019 – Hon Prince Mike Omogbehin from Okitipupa state constituency 1.
2019 till date – Hon Gboluga Ikengboju from Okitipupa state constituency 1.
Having got this analysis, the three state constituencies had been adequately represented for 8 years each at the hallow chamber (with Okitipupa state constituency II having a share of this rotational representation as far back as 2011). Owing to this analysis, representative can come from any part of the State constituency upon which the usual rotation could continue.
Why is Ode-Aye worthy for a share of position?
The reason is simple; and for the sake of fairness, Okitipupa state constituency II is overdue by 2023. Remember they represented us last in 2011 through Hon (Dr) Oluwole Olakunde who hails from Okitipupa township. Irele represented us not quite long in 2015 when Hon Albert Akintoye handed over the mantle to Him (Prince) Mike Omegbehin from Okitipupa state constituency 1. Therefore, Okitipupa State Constituency II deserved to produce the next MHR for the sake of fairness, equity and just.
Now, if Okitipupa state constituency II is going to represent us by 2023, Ode-Aye will be another good pick owing to their voting strength, capacity and activeness.
Also, we must not forget that the National Assembly is one. The House of Senate and House of Representatives as the Nigerian constitution has adopted a bicameral legislature. In this sense, Okitipupa state constituency 1 has also represented us at red chamber through Distinguish Senator Boluwaji Kunlere in 2011 to 2015. While Distinguished Senator Yele Omogunwa from Irele State constituency represented us in 2015 to 2019 before he handed over the mantle to the current Distinguished Senator Nicolas Tofowomo from Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo. Therefore, Okitipupa state constituency II are yet to have the taste of the red chamber in which the duos of the Okitipupa state constituency 1 and Irele state constituency has already added that to their caps.
In all fairness, one should think Ode-Aye in Okitipupa state constituency II deserves a shot to project their trade in a higher level of political market place come 2023. Our great Party (APC) on the other end must not miscalculate this time.
The Party’s Candidacy Rotation Agenda.
Aside the aforementioned comes distribution of candidacy across the 3 constituencies over the last 2 electioneering seasons.
In 2015, the party fielded Hon Oluwole Akinmoyero who hails from Okitipupa Constituency 1. The aftermath of the election had the entire Okitipupa state constituency concede the party’s candidacy to an Irele aspiration in 2019 upon which Hon Albert Akintoye emerged the party candidate. Here comes a race towards 2023; where Okitipupa state constituency II is worthy to be considered to avoid the region been left out of the party’s rotational agenda for a 3rd consecutive time.
However, if this is to be looked into meticulously, Ode-Aye, a politically active community in this shortchanged constituency ought to be considered. Needless I opine that this very community hasn’t had a taste of having a candidate fielded for electioneering over a period of time.
This is a thought provoking analysis and position for general digestion. Everyone has a say and stake; and who seek equity must do equity. All in all, the thrust of this struggle is to have the best hands pilot the vehicle of Ikale land to our dream land.
Long live Irele/Okitipupa Federal constituency,
Long live Ikale Land.
Written by Nabaruma
