By Ashaolu Olufolake
Kwara State political landscape has been thrown into fresh controversies as Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate and Senator representing Kwara South district, publicly dismissed the political weight of Igbomina and Ekiti voting blocs, calling their demographic “inconsequential” to his electoral victories.
Kwara South senatorial district is made up of three significant blocs and ethnic groups; Igbomina, Ekiti and Ibolo.
The remarks, made during his keynote address at the Offa Strategic Retreat, has ignited debates about representation, equity, and the fragile political balance within Kwara State and Kwara South Senatorial District.
“You can continue to shout Igbomina Lókàn, Ekiti Lókàn, but never forget that 45% of the votes that deliver a senator in Kwara South are in Offa and Ibolo,” Ashiru declared.
*2023 Election Results Tell a Different Story*
The Senator’s assertion appeared to overlook extant election results from his 2023 re-election bid. Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that Offa LGA delivered 23,531, while Oyun recorded 16,180 votes to his tally—significant, but not dominant compared to other LGAs. Irepodun; 22,733, Ifelodun; 29,006, Isin; 9,438, Ekiti; 11,598, Oke-Ero; 11,808 votes. Political observers opine that, this distribution underscores the collective weight of Igbomina and Ekiti blocs, contrary to Ashiru’s erroneous claims.
Offa Security First, says Ashiru.
Ashiru’s comments on insecurity has also raised concerns. Speaking on the rising wave of killings and kidnappings across Kwara South, the Senator acknowledged violence in Irepodun, Isin, Oke-Ero, and Ekiti LGAs, but swiftly shifted the focus to his hometown – Offa.
“It doesn’t take anything for it to get to Offa, if we are not careful. The first thing we have to do is internal vigilance through re-enacting relationships between the old and young in Offa. There is an urgent need to set up a security committee for Offa to prevent this occurrence,” he said.
Critics argue that, by framing insecurity largely as an Offa concern, Ashiru trivialized the plights of other LGAs already grappling with deadly violence and kidnappings, further cementing the perception that he sees himself more as “Senator for Offa” than Senator for Kwara South.
Billions Project for Offa.
Ashiru was unapologetic about channeling resources to his hometown – Offa. Responding to excitements over his facilitation of ₦1 billion projects to Offa, he downplayed the figure, insisting that his 2025 allocations for the town alone is worth over ₦6 billion.
“That is my little way of appreciating Offa,” he said, crediting the town’s loyalty and overwhelming supports during his elections.
*The Offa Political Agenda*
The Senator went further, urging Offa indigenes to consolidate their political leverage, openly floating the possibility of the town simultaneously producing the Governor of Kwara State, a Senator from Kwara South, and a House of Representatives member. “It is not impossible for Offa to become Governor, Senator, and still hold the Federal House seat. It has happened before in Kwara State. If there is any better time for Offa to become Governor, it is now,” he asserted.
*Ashiru’s Fallout of Representation*
Ashiru’s rhetorics, combined with his poor legislative records, has fueled growing resentments across Kwara South. Already perceived as incompetent by most Kwara Southerners, his derisive remarks about Igbomina and Ekiti blocs and narrow focus on Offa, as well as lack of significant parliamentary achievements, further confirm a widening gap between his rhetorics and achievements.
Analysts affirmed that, the remarks raised fundamental questions: Is Senator Ashiru representing the collective interests of Kwara South or advancing an Offa-centric agenda? Can Ashiru become a trusted Gubernatorial candidate in Kwara Politics? How can someone who’s so unpopular as a Senator nurse the ambition of running for the position of Governor? Will he solely be Governor for Offa?
In a region already fractured by ethnic rivalries, insecurity, underdevelopment, poor national and house of Assembly representations, it is very unfortunate that these uncomplimentary divisive rhetorics are coming from someone who’s supposed to be representing Kwara South senatorial district. Could his words further deepen political and social fault lines? These are questions begging for critical answers!
By Ashaolu Olufolake, an Investigative journalist
