Residents of Ikoyi town in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State have warned political parties against conducting campaign activities in the community due to longstanding grievances over marginalisation. The youth wing of the community, led by Orolade Abiodun, who doubles as a palace chief, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party of excluding Ikoyi from political appointments and infrastructural development. Abiodun stated the town has never produced a representative in the House of Representatives despite being part of a federal constituency where other towns have held the seat multiple times. He also highlighted a rotational agreement between Isokan and Irewole local governments for the state assembly seat, in place since 1991, with representation switching every four years.
Abiodun claimed it was Isokan's turn to produce the state assembly candidate, but alleged that plans were underway to bypass the agreement by retaining a lawmaker who defected to the Accord Party. He warned that political actors from APC and Accord might not be permitted to canvass for votes if their demands for inclusion were not met. "We may not welcome them to canvass for votes if our demands are not met," he said. The youth leader appealed to prominent political figures, including Bisi Akande, Gboyega Oyetola, and Governor Ademola Adeleke, to intervene and ensure Ikoyi is allowed to field candidates in upcoming elections. He urged the APC to cede its ticket to the town and called on Accord stakeholders to honour the rotational agreement by returning the state assembly candidacy to Isokan.
Orolade Abiodun accuses both APC and Accord of sidelining Ikoyi, yet appeals to top figures in those same parties to fix the exclusion they are allegedly perpetuating. The demand for inclusion rings hollow if the solution relies on the very leaders who have overseen years of neglect. Ikoyi residents risk being trapped in a cycle of pleading rather than claiming their political space. Their warning against campaigns may fall on deaf ears if no alternative path to representation is forged.
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