The story of Kwara South Senatorial District is not merely a sequence of elections—it is a living testament to a people’s struggle for fairness, balance, and meaningful representation.
Beneath the surface of politics lies an unwritten covenant—one that has sustained peace and unity among our three great blocs: Ekiti, Ibolo, and Igbomina.
For decades, this delicate understanding of rotation has preserved harmony. It has ensured that no voice is permanently silenced and no bloc perpetually sidelined. But today, that balance stands at a crossroads.
When we step back and examine the broader arc of representation, a painful imbalance emerges. The Ekiti bloc has enjoyed approximately 12 years of senatorial leadership – Senator Simeon Ajibola (2003 to 2015). The Ibolo bloc is rounding off its own 12-year term – Senator Rafiu Ibrahim (2015–2019) and Senator Oyelola Ashiru (2019–2027).
But the Igbomina bloc, despite its population strength, electoral weight, and historic contributions, has only had a fleeting window of meaningful representation – Senator Makanjuola Ajadi (1999-2003).
This is not just a statistic. It is a question of justice.
As we stand on the threshold of the 2027 elections, Kwara South must decide whether to uphold the principles that have sustained its unity or to ignore them at the risk of deepening discontent. Restoring balance is no longer optional; it is a moral and political necessity.
Within the Igbomina bloc, Irepodun Local Government emerges as a strategic pillar, with Omu-Aran alone contributing nearly 70 per cent of the voting strength in that axis. This reality cannot be overlooked in any serious political calculation. It points clearly to where leadership should naturally emerge if equity and electoral pragmatism are to align.
And in this moment of truth, one name continues to resonate across wards, communities, and even party lines—Dr Kazeem Olayimika Salaam (Alabaja). He is not just an aspirant; he represents a convergence of destiny and preparedness.
A young, vibrant finance expert and strategic thinker, Dr Salaam embodies the kind of leadership Kwara South urgently needs in an era defined by economic uncertainty and shifting national priorities. But beyond credentials, his humanity speaks louder.
For years – long before political ambition—he has stood with the people. Distributing food and financial support during Christmas, Sallah, and New Year celebrations across Kwara South. During Ramadan, he extended generosity across religious lines, supporting both Muslims and Christians in a rare display of unity and compassion.
At national political gatherings, including the APC convention in Abuja, his organisational excellence and care for people, both within and beyond his constituency, revealed a leader who understands service at its core. But perhaps his greatest strength lies in his ability to unite.
Salaam is widely accepted across Ekiti, Ibolo, and Igbomina. His leadership philosophy is not rooted in division, but in partnership. He understands that no bloc can win alone, and that the future of Kwara South depends on collective strength.
This is why his candidacy is not just about Igbomina—it is about the survival of the rotational principle itself.
Politically, the message is clear: if the APC is serious about securing an overwhelming victory across Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, and Oke-Ero, then the choice of candidate must reflect both fairness and strategy. And today, there is a growing, undeniable consensus that Dr Kazeem Alabaja’s popularity transcends party lines, drawing support even from opposition ranks.
This is rare. This is powerful. This is decisive. Therefore, this is more than a political endorsement; it is a call to conscience.
I respectfully and passionately call on the Presidency, under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the Kwara State Governor, the APC National Working Committee, and all party stakeholders, to recognise this historic moment.
A moment to correct imbalance; A moment to reinforce justice; A moment to secure victory through unity. Let equity guide strategy; Let fairness shape power; Let the will of the people prevail.
Salaam stands as a bridge between blocs, between generations, and between promise and performance.
2027 is not just another election – it is a referendum on justice in Kwara South. Let history remember that when the moment came, we chose balance over bias, unity over division, and the future over the past.
Conclusively, I urge the Presidency, Kwara State Governor and other relevant stakeholders to consider the Ekiti bloc for the position of House of Representatives for the sake of fairness, equity, and justice.
Let Kwara South rise.
Barrister Abiodun Ebenezer is a member of Kwara State House of Assembly, Ekiti Constituency aspirant
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