IKOLE YOUTHS DEMAND RELEASE OF DETAINED MEMBERS, CONDEMN ALLEGED POLITICAL INTIMIDATION AND CALL FOR EQUITY IN REPRESENTATION
The Coordinating Youth President of Ikole Local Government Area, Comrade Alonge Kehinde Julius, has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of some youths in the area, describing the development as an unacceptable act of intimidation and a threat to democratic freedoms.
Speaking with journalists at his country home in Odooro Ekiti, Comrade Alonge said the arrests, which reportedly took place in Odooro Ekiti and Oke Ijebu Agege, were carried out following resistance by youths to an alleged attempt to impose endorsement of a senatorial aspirant in Ward 3 of Ikole Local Government Area.
He alleged that the detained youths were targeted for expressing dissenting political views, insisting that such actions undermine democratic principles and the constitutional right to freedom of expression and association.
According to him, the incident is not an isolated development but part of a broader concern about political exclusion and marginalization of Ikole Local Government in the political structure of Ekiti North Senatorial District.
“We strongly condemn the arrest and detention of our brothers and sisters that happened earlier today and demand their immediate release,” he said.
“The people of Ikole have a right to express their political views without intimidation, harassment, or coercion.”
Speaking on behalf of the 25 community youth presidents in Ikole LGA, Comrade Alonge emphasized that the youths remain peaceful, organized, and committed to democratic engagement, but warned that sustained disregard for their rights could heighten political tension in the area.
He explained that the grievances being expressed are rooted in long-standing concerns over perceived imbalance in senatorial representation within Ekiti North Senatorial District, which comprises five local government areas: Oye, Ikole, Ilejemeje, Ido/Osi, and Moba.
He noted that the current senator representing the district, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, hails from Ido/Osi Local Government Area, and that Ikole LGA has not produced a senator since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. According to him, this has created growing dissatisfaction among political stakeholders and youths in the area, who are now demanding greater inclusion and fairness in future political arrangements.
Comrade Alonge further stressed that the agitation by Ikole youths should not be misconstrued as violence or political rebellion, but rather as a call for justice, equity, and fair representation within the democratic process.
He therefore appealed to the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the matter, ensure the immediate release of the detained youths, and help de-escalate rising political tensions in the local government.
According to him, proactive intervention by the state government would not only restore calm but also reaffirm public confidence in democratic governance and justice delivery in the state.
He reiterated that Ikole youths remain committed to peace, but insisted that such peace must be built on fairness, inclusion, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Published by; ISAPOL CONSULTANCY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION FIRM.
