••• Summit Demands Equity, Justice, Stressing Bloc Has Been Marginalized, Sidelined for Years
The spirit of unity and the compelling agitation for fairness resonated across the Kwara South district on Thursday as the Igbomina bloc officially launched its bid for the Kwara South Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The landmark summit, themed “Igbomina Lokan for Kwara South Senate 2027,” saw an unprecedented coalition of traditional rulers and political heavyweights, including the State Deputy Chief of Staff, Mrs. Bukola Babalola, rally around the agenda.
Organized by Omo Ibile Igbomina, the leaders declared that after two decades of marginalization, it is finally the Igbomina bloc’s turn to lead at the Senate.
The summit opened with interfaith prayers, with Pastor Sunday Ajileye officiating on behalf of Christian faithfuls and Imam Abdulqadr Salaudeen, Imam Omo Bibi Igbomina, officiating on behalf of Muslim faithfuls.
The summit also brought together traditional rulers, government officials, and opinion leaders who unanimously advocated fairness, equity, and justice in the political zoning arrangement of the Kwara South Senatorial District.
The massive turnout saw the venue filled to the brim as people from across the nooks and crannies of Kwara South trooped out en masse to grace the event.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Host and National President of Omo Ibile Igbomina, Elder Gabriel Yemi Jimoh, called for unity among the Igbomina people and urged other blocs in the district to support their bid to produce the next senator for Kwara South.
On his part, Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Solo Olaoye, commended the organizers for their foresight, while emphasizing the need for sustained unity and collaboration within the community.
Adding to strengthen the “Igbomina Lokan” agenda, Kwara State Deputy Chief of Staff, Mrs. Bukola Babalola, urged political actors and stakeholders across the senatorial district to support the Igbomina people in their long-overdue quest for senatorial representation.
Similarly, the Development Officer for Offa Local Government and Coordinator, Kwara State Female Aspirants Group, Hon. Zainab Damilola Abbas (from Ibolo Bloc), appealed for solidarity in zoning the Senate seat to Igbomina land, stressing that the group had been sidelined for over two decades.
She noted that the people of Offa renowned for their principles of fairness, equity, and justice stand firmly behind the Igbomina cause.
A former Chairman of Oyun Local Government from the Ibolo axis, Engr. Bayo Alao, added credence to the agitation, stating that notwithstanding having someone from the Ibolo axis potentially seeking the position, it is a collective effort to stand with the truth equity, justice and fairness in ensuring the Igbomina bloc produces the next Senator come 2027.
Engr. Alao, who also represented the ENACT Principal, Engr. Nurudeen Adeyemi, lauded the organizers for the uniqueness of the initiative while urging all stakeholders not to relent in ensuring the agitation materializes.
Delivering their separate goodwill messages, the immediate past Chairman of Kwara PDP and former Speaker KWHA, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed and the Development Officer for Irepodun Local Government, urged the need to maintain the momentum and ensure that such a gathering is not a one-off thing while commending the organizers for a job well-done.
Speaking on behalf of all Igbomina monarchs, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo and Chairman, Council of Obas in Igbomina Land, HRM Oba (Barr.) Ismail Yahaya Alebiosu, declared that the time had come for the Igbomina nation to be given the opportunity to lead at the Senate level.
He called for unity among the Igbomina people and urged support from other zones within Kwara South to actualize this long-cherished aspiration.
The traditional institution was fully represented by a host of distinguished monarchs, including the Elese of Igbaja, HRM Oba (Dr.) Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III; the Olomu of Omu-Aran, HRM Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti (Olomu Efon II); the Oloro of Oro-Ago, HRM Oba Olanrewaju Dada Johnson; the Alaran of Arandun, HRM Oba Ibikunle Olapade Adekanye; the Olomu of Omupo, HRM Oba Yakubu Buari; the Oloreke of Oreke-Okegbo, HRM Oba Joseph Sunday Adefila; and the Alatanda of Atanda, HRM Oba Abdulwahab Abiodun-Oyeyemi (Ajagungbade I).
Pictures from the event:
Other Dignitaries present also included Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor, Mal. Rafiu Ajakaye, Hon. Lawal David (LOD), the Ifelodun Born Renowned Journalist Abdulrasheed Akogun, Vice Chairman Ifelodun Local Government, Hon. Nike Ajibola; Honourable Member representing Irepodun, Hon. Shola Odetundun; Irepodun APC Chairwoman Hon. Rashidat Kazeem, Hon. Agaz who represented Hon Tunji Olawuyi Ajuloopin member representing Irepodun Ekiti Oke-Ero Isin Federal Constituency, among others.
