Ile-Ife and APC: A call for reflection and action, by Prof A. A. Adediwura

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and at the national level must take a moment to reflect on the political dynamics in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race.

The recent governorship and general elections sent a clear message: the anticipated block vote from Ile-Ife did not materialize.

The fundamental reason for this was the palpable neglect of the town for 12 years of APC’s governance in Osun State and eight years at the federal level.

For over a decade, the people of Ile-Ife remained loyal to APC, standing by the party through thick and thin. Yet, the reward for this loyalty has been an unfortunate tale of marginalization and neglect.

The roads that should have been completed remain abandoned, infrastructure development has been slow, and political appointments have bypassed qualified and deserving Ife indigenes.

Despite this, when the last presidential election came, the indigenes of Ife Kingdom once again showed their unwavering commitment to the APC cause.

Our people went all out to ensure the party’s victory. But what has been the reward for their sacrifice? In the current APC-led administration, Ile-Ife has been left out in the cold. No Ife indigene has been given a substantive position of influence in the federal government, leaving many supporters disillusioned and questioning their allegiance to a party that has not reciprocated their dedication.

To compound the disappointment, the only notable Ife son at the national level of the party, Dr. Rauf Adeniji, APC’s Director of Administration, has been languishing in the den of kidnappers for over two months. Yet, the party has been largely silent, offering little in the way of concerted effort or urgency to secure his release. This silence is deafening and speaks volumes about the neglect Ife Kingdom has suffered under APC’s watch.

With another Osun governorship election fast approaching, APC must ask itself some critical questions.

How does the party plan to campaign in Ile-Ife? What message will be taken to the people who have felt ignored for so long? How do we convince Ife indigenes to vote against a governor who has appointed four commissioners and several board chairmen from Ife Kingdom? How do we ask them to turn their backs on a government that is actively completing the federal road project abandoned by APC and rehabilitating intra-town roads neglected for years?

The APC must acknowledge the realities on the ground and make swift amends. The party must re-engage with the people of Ife Kingdom, address their grievances, and ensure that their voices are not just heard but acted upon.

Developmental projects, strategic appointments, and tangible political inclusion must be prioritized to rebuild trust and confidence.

APC remains a party of progress, but progress must be felt by all.

Ile-Ife, the historical and cultural cradle of the Yoruba race, cannot be left behind.

It is time for APC to wake up, recognize the sacrifices of the people of Ife, and work towards genuine inclusion. Only through concrete action can the party hope to regain its stronghold and secure victory in the forthcoming elections.

Prof A. A. Adediwura is a scholar and APC chieftain from Osun State.