Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
EWEKORO, Ogun State — The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives and member representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, has spoken publicly on the controversy surrounding his inability to secure a return ticket for a fourth term under the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as a political miscalculation that could ultimately prove costly for the party.
Isiaka, who currently occupies one of the highest-ranking leadership positions in the House of Representatives, said his continued presence in the National Assembly would have provided significant political and strategic advantages to Ogun State and the APC ahead of future electoral contests.
Speaking with journalists during the governorship primary election at Ward 5, Wasimi in Ewekoro Local Government Area, the federal lawmaker reflected on his political journey and defended his credentials, achievements and relevance within the party structure.
He emphasized that his political rise had always been built on competitive processes rather than special arrangements or preferential treatment.
“First and foremost, let me introduce myself. I’m Right Honourable Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, a principal officer in the National Assembly, specifically the House of Representatives. By the grace of God, I am the fourth person in the House leadership hierarchy and number six among the 360 members,” he said.
The lawmaker, currently serving his third consecutive term in the lower legislative chamber, rejected suggestions that his position had ever been guaranteed through political concessions.
According to him, he had consistently subjected himself to primary elections and had never benefited from any zoning arrangement between Ifo and Ewekoro areas.
“This is my third consecutive term in the House of Representatives, and at no time was I simply handed a ticket. I have always contested through primaries. There was never any arrangement to zone or rotate positions between Ifo and Ewekoro,” he stated.
Isiaka also pushed back against claims that residents of Ifo Local Government had become dissatisfied with his representation, insisting that his performance and grassroots connection remained strong across the constituency.
He challenged journalists and political observers to independently assess his acceptance among various stakeholders.
“I want journalists to conduct independent investigations. Go to the market leaders, religious leaders, youth groups and community stakeholders in Ifo and ask them who Isiaka is,” he said.
Highlighting his developmental interventions, the lawmaker pointed to infrastructure projects undertaken during his tenure, particularly his efforts while serving as Chairman of the Ecological Fund Committee.
He recalled the construction of a three-kilometre canal project in Ifo, which he said addressed a long-standing environmental challenge and saved lives.
“For almost 30 years, people were dying in that canal. When I became Chairman of the Ecological Fund Committee, I initiated the construction of a three-kilometre canal. The people of Ifo still remember that contribution till today,” he added.
Beyond developmental projects, Isiaka argued that his political structure had played a critical role in strengthening APC's electoral dominance in both Ifo and Ewekoro, particularly during the 2023 general elections.
He claimed that his personal political machinery significantly boosted the party’s performance at the polls.
“In the 2023 elections, my votes alone gave APC a lead of over 12,000 votes over the opposition. Those are verifiable records,” he said.
Political observers and some members of the APC in Ogun State have continued to express concerns over the implications of sidelining a ranking federal lawmaker with extensive grassroots influence and a strategic leadership position in the National Assembly.
Many within the constituency reportedly believe that denying Isiaka another term despite his standing in the House and his political network could create avoidable challenges for the party if not properly managed.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker acknowledged a noticeable level of voter apathy during the governorship primary exercise, saying the trend was evident across different parts of Ifo and Ewekoro.
He attributed the situation to prevailing political circumstances within the party but maintained confidence in the APC and its leadership.
“People were reluctant, not only in Wasimi Ward but across Ifo and Ewekoro. But we must continue to live in faith and accept the will of Almighty Allah,” he said.
As political calculations ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle continue to unfold, Isiaka’s remarks may further intensify discussions within Ogun APC over internal party dynamics, representation and the potential consequences of strategic decisions taken ahead of future contests.
