The has cautioned the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress against any alleged move to grant an automatic ticket to Hon. Jimi Odimayo for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, in a statement issued after its general meeting and signed by its President, Comrade Agboola Olatujoye, warned that such a decision could spark political tension and disrupt the long-standing zoning arrangement that has guided the constituency since 1999.
According to the statement, the constituency has operated a rotational formula rooted in equity and fairness, where Irele produces a representative for one term while Okitipupa takes two terms.
The movement explained that the arrangement reflects the political structure of the constituency, noting that Okitipupa has two state constituencies while Irele has one, making the formula a balanced system designed to ensure fair representation.
The youth body stressed that the zoning arrangement has played a major role in sustaining political stability within the constituency over the years, warning that any attempt to alter it through the imposition of an automatic ticket could create discontent among party members and voters.
The statement further recalled that Odimayo himself had publicly acknowledged the zoning principle during a live appearance on TVC in 2024, where he reportedly affirmed that the constituency operates on the “Irele one term, Okitipupa two terms” arrangement.
The group argued that, based on the established rotation, the next House of Representatives ticket should return to Okitipupa, adding that any deviation from the arrangement would be viewed as unfair and capable of weakening confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process.
The movement also warned that sidelining Okitipupa could trigger voter apathy or protest votes, thereby creating opportunities for opposition parties to gain political advantage in the constituency.
While insisting that its position was not a threat, the group described its concerns as a reflection of the political realities on ground, stressing that political parties must manage internal expectations with fairness to maintain unity and electoral strength.
The statement also condemned the idea of an automatic ticket, saying it would deny qualified aspirants the opportunity to contest and deprive party members of a transparent and credible selection process.
Citing past political events, the group referenced the 2015 senatorial election involving Pastor Yele Omogunwa, alleging that a similar disregard for zoning arrangements contributed to the APC losing the Ondo South senatorial seat in 2019.
The Ikale Youths Development Movement therefore urged the APC leadership to uphold the existing zoning structure and avoid actions capable of causing division within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to peace, fairness, and democratic values, while calling on stakeholders to act in the best interest of the constituency.
