2027: Hon. Muyiwa Ogunyemi ÈYÍYÀTÒ, A Product of True Consensus for Akoko Northeast Assembly Seat
CONSENSUS, NOT IMPOSITION: Setting the Record Straight in Akoko North East
The recent remarks credited to Hon. Bode Obanla regarding the consensus emergence of Hon. Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi ÈYÍYÀTÒ as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akoko North East Constituency necessitate a measured, factual, and principled response.
At the core of this development is the thoughtful and strategic decision of His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in connection with distinguished leaders of our great party across Ondo State. It is important to state unequivocally that this outcome is not an imposition, as has been suggested in some quarters, but the product of extensive consultations, deliberate inclusiveness, and a commitment to sustaining party cohesion and electoral strength.
It is, however, instructive to observe that some of the voices now raising concerns about “injustice” were either silent or in alignment when similar, and in some cases more contentious, decisions were taken in the past. Such selective advocacy, often driven by personal considerations, diminishes the credibility of the argument being advanced. Principles must be upheld consistently, not invoked selectively.
The sudden emphasis on “rotation” by Hon. Obanla equally raises fundamental questions. Where was this advocacy when Akoko North East was overlooked in prior political arrangements that required equitable consideration? Where was the concern when the House of Representatives ticket remained outside the understood rotational framework? These inconsistencies are difficult to reconcile with the current posture.
It must be clearly stated that Hon. Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi ÈYÍYÀTÒ is not a newcomer to the political evolution of the APC in Akoko North East or Ondo State. For well over a decade, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment as a financier, grassroots mobilizer, and aspirant, long before the party attained its present dominance. His contributions, sacrifices, and loyalty are matters of record and cannot be eclipsed by recent narratives from those who joined the system at a more convenient time.
Beyond the issue of loyalty, the matter of ward equity deserves sincere and objective consideration. Akoko North East comprises 13 wards, with 11 located within Ikare. It is therefore inaccurate and politically reductive to treat Ikare as a single homogeneous bloc. Each ward possesses distinct political relevance, electoral strength, and developmental expectations.
Ekan Ward, for example, stands as a politically vibrant and strategically significant ward that has, over time, experienced limited representation in both elective and appointive positions under the APC. This is despite its notable contributions to the party’s early electoral successes in Ondo State, even during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
Justice, fairness, and inclusiveness require that such historical contributions are acknowledged and rewarded. If the principle of rotation is to be meaningfully upheld, then it must be applied in a manner that broadens opportunity, particularly for wards that have been consistently underrepresented. This, indeed, reflects the essence of the consensus decision reached.
Furthermore, Hon. Ogunyemi ÈYÍYÀTÒ’s strong cultural and ancestral ties to the constituency, including his paternal lineage to Akunu Akoko in Isowopo, further enhance his acceptability and unifying appeal across the constituency. He represents not only competence and experience but also a bridge across communities and interests.
Leadership, by its very nature, requires decisions that transcend momentary pressures and prioritize the long-term collective good. The actions of Governor Aiyedatiwa and the leadership of the APC reflect courage, foresight, and a steadfast commitment to unity, equity, and sustainable progress.
Ultimately, the people of Akoko North East deserve a future defined by progress rather than propaganda, and by unity rather than division. The emergence of Hon. Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi ÈYÍYÀTÒ stands as a reflection of that vision, a consensus rooted in history, fairness, and a shared aspiration for advancement.
E-signed:
Eyiyato Media House
