By Lukman OMIKUNLE
With over 15 APC aspirants eyeing Ota Constituency 1, pressure is mounting to end 24 years of urban dominance and allow rural representation ahead of the 2027 Ogun Assembly election.
OTA 2027 Battle: Calls Grow for Rural Shift After 24 Years of Urban Control
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the race for the Ota State Constituency 1 seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly is already heating up, with over 15 aspirants reportedly jostling under the banner of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ota State Constituency 1 is one of two constituencies within Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area — one of the largest and most politically significant councils in Ogun State. The second constituency, Ado-Odo/Igbesa, completes the political structure of the local government.
With party primaries approaching — or a possible consensus arrangement looming — attention is increasingly shifting toward the question of fairness, equity, and political balance in determining who emerges as the next lawmaker.
Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government comprises 16 political wards, evenly split between the two state constituencies. Within Ota State Constituency 1, the wards are further divided into two blocs:
- Urban bloc: Ota Ward 1, Ota Ward 2, Ota Ward 3, and Sango-Ota Ward
- Rural bloc: Atan, Ilogbo, Iju, and Ijoko wards
This structural balance, however, has not translated into equal political representation over the years.
28 Years of Imbalance
Since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, representation in Ota State Constituency 1 has been heavily skewed in favour of the urban bloc.
While the rural areas held the seat for just one term between 1999 and 2003, the urban bloc has dominated for an uninterrupted 24 years — a pattern that has now sparked renewed agitation for change.
Representation History of Ota State Constituency 1
| Name | Party | Ward | Bloc | Tenure |
| Hon. Asade Z. Olubode | AD | Iju Ward | Rural | 1999–2003 |
| Leye Odunjo | PDP | Urban | Urban | 2003–2011 |
| Akinpelu Nurudeen Aina | ACN/APC | Urban | Urban | 2011–2019 |
| Yusuf Sherif Abiodun | APC | Urban | Urban | 2019–2027* |
*Tenure expected to end in 2027
With this historical context, many political observers and stakeholders argue that the time has come to correct what they describe as a long-standing imbalance.
The principle of equity, they say, demands that the rural bloc — which has remained politically marginalised for over two decades — be given a fair opportunity to produce the next representative.
Beyond mere rotation, advocates stress that inclusive representation is essential for fostering unity, balanced development, and a sense of belonging among constituents.
Granting the rural areas the chance to lead, they argue, would not only address historical disparities but also strengthen grassroots participation and deepen democratic values within the constituency.
A political stakeholder in the region, who spoke anonymously to newsheadline247, emphasised the importance of fairness in the selection process, “Justice and fairness demand that the rural areas be given this opportunity. After 24 years of dominance by one section, it is only right that the other side is allowed a meaningful turn.”
The stakeholder added that ensuring balance is critical to maintaining political harmony and preventing disenfranchisement within the constituency.
As the APC leadership weighs its options — whether through primaries or consensus — the decision it makes will likely shape not just the outcome of the election, but also the future political stability of Ota Constituency 1.
For many residents, the 2027 election represents more than a routine political exercise; it is seen as a defining moment to reset the narrative and promote inclusiveness.
Whether the party will heed the growing calls for equity remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the demand for a rural shift is gaining momentum and cannot be easily ignored.
