A non-political group, Concerned Afijio Youths, CAY, has charged leaders of the political parties in Oyo Federal constituency to narrow the House of Representatives nomination to Afijio.
In a communique issued at the end of the group’s meeting held at Jobele, the headquarters of Afijio local government area, on Tuesday, the stakeholders unanimously resolved that parties must produce a credible consensus candidate to contest the next election meant to fill the seat at the House of Representatives.
Signed by the Youth Forum’s chairman, Mr Aluko Abiodun, the stakeholders said that both Afijio and Atiba local government areas are one and share common goals, aspirations, and virtues.
He added that Atiba local government having had third successive terms in the House of Representatives, should relinquish the seat voluntarily through popular decision to Afijio people.
The youths said the gesture would foster mutual respect and understanding, stressing that it would equally strengthen development in the area.
The forum admonished all Youths from Afijio to prosecute the agitation peacefully and constructively, noting that they are optimistic about reaching an amicable resolution devoid of rancour.
“Oyo Federal Constituency has been one of the strong federal constituencies representing Oyo State in the Federal House of Representatives. But representatives have been emerging from Oyo town without opening the door of the Green Chamber for the people from Afijio Local Government Area to represent the Constituency at the Second House of Law in Abuja”, he said.
“Without mincing words, as we approach 2027, there is a lot to start asking the people of Oyo Federal Constituency, to see the reason to consider Afijio as a part of the Federal Constituency, by giving the area an opportunity to produce a Candidate for the House of Representatives beyond the fixed limit of highest determiners.”
“Nonetheless, no candidate from Afijio Local Government can represent Oyo Federal Constituency at the Lower Chamber without the strong support of people of Oyo town, which has the highest voters with three out of four Local Government Areas under Oyo Federal Constituency.”
“However, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East, and Oyo West are Four Local Government Areas that form the Oyo Federal Constituency. Since 1999, Oyo has been the only one producing the Rep Members representing our Constituency.”
“Adopting zoning in the Oyo Federal Constituency to Afijio by Political Parties can primarily pave the way for transparency and fairness which can yield to better representative.”
He urged stakeholders to emulate Oyo Central Senatorial District, where the zoning system is being used to create an equitable distribution of political power through the electoral process.
He added, “In other words, the main Political Parties in our Constituency and stalwarts of such parties should consider zoning Oyo Federal Constituency ticket to Afijio Local Government to make the people of the Council feel recognized.”
Aluko said, “However, this is not a voice of our turn but an appeal to the Political Parties Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Religious Bodies, Traders Association and other stakeholders in our Constituency to consider and embrace the call for an Afijio indigene to represent Oyo Federal Constituency at House of Representatives in the 11th Assembly.”
