Youths in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised concerns over alleged political marginalisation in appointments at both state and federal levels. In an open letter delivered on Tuesday, the Concerned Youths of Akoko North West urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to ensure equitable distribution of political appointments. The letter, signed by Adefemi Adamu Elegbeleye, Afinjuomo Oladimeji Stephen, and Fagbuyi Ojo, accused Constituency One—comprising Arigidi and Okeagbe—of monopolising key positions. They highlighted that Constituency Two, which includes Irun, Ogbagi, Ese, and Afin, has been systematically excluded.
The youths pointed to specific appointments as evidence, noting that Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior, and Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of State for Finance, both hail from Constituency One. Others listed include Obanla Kehinde, APC Local Government chairman; Hon. Nathaniel Adojutelegan, Federal Commissioner at RMAFC; Hon. Ifeoluwa Ehindero, Member representing Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency; and Hon. Elder Akande, Commissioner for Water Resources. Additional names cited are Hon. Tunji Abayomi, Chairman of Adekunle Ajasin University's Governing Council, and board members at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and the State Commerce and Industry Commission. The group demanded a review of appointment patterns and called for inclusion in upcoming nominations.
The open letter from Akoko North West youths exposes a growing fault line within Ondo State's ruling APC, where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa now faces pressure over perceived regional imbalances in power distribution. The fact that eight prominent appointees named in the letter all originate from Constituency One—despite the local government being evenly split—suggests a concentration of influence that goes beyond coincidence. This is not merely about representation; it is about the erosion of trust among party loyalists who feel excluded from the rewards of political victory.
Behind the formal appeal lies a deeper tension rooted in the politics of federal character and intra-party equity. The youths' invocation of the Federal Character Principle underscores their belief that current appointment patterns violate established norms of fairness. Their detailed enumeration of officeholders—from the House of Representatives to university councils—reveals a pattern of dominance that risks alienating a significant bloc within the APC's base. When a single constituency consistently captures top slots, it fuels perceptions of a 'winner-takes-all' culture, even within a single party.
For ordinary residents of Irun, Ogbagi, Ese, and Afin, the stakes are practical: access to influence, development projects, and patronage networks often tied to political visibility. Marginalisation in appointments can translate into neglect in infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities. If unaddressed, this sense of exclusion may dampen voter enthusiasm in future elections, particularly among younger APC supporters.
This episode fits a recurring trend in Nigerian governance, where sub-regional imbalances within local governments or constituencies spark internal party unrest. Across states, similar grievances have preceded defections, electoral upsets, or factional splits—suggesting that today's complaint could be tomorrow's political realignment.
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