A socio-political group, the Ado-Odo/Igbesa Youth Forum, has raised an alarm over what it describes as the sustained political exclusion of its communities in the distribution of elective and appointive positions within Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

In a communiqué issued by its Chairman, Mr. Ezekiel Anuoluwapo, the Forum expressed concern that despite being part of Aworiland, Ado-Odo and Igbesa have been systematically sidelined in favour of Ota in a pattern spanning several political cycles.

The group specifically called out the recent emergence of a body known as the Ota-Awori Youth Movement, accusing it of promoting a divisive and exclusionary agenda that treats Ota as the sole political centre of Aworiland.

While commending Awori leaders currently in office and paying tribute to the inclusive legacy of the late Olota of Ota, Oba Moshood Alani Oyede, the Forum insisted that a longstanding imbalance must be addressed.

Citing a detailed historical breakdown, the group highlighted that since 1999, Ota has consistently dominated key positions including the Deputy Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, Local Government Chairmanship, and Commissioner slots within the local government area.

“The consistent marginalisation of Ado-Odo/Igbesa across several political cycles should be a collective concern to all well-meaning Awori people,” the communiqué stated.

As a corrective measure, the Forum demanded that, starting from the 2027 general elections, all major political offices accruing to the local government—including Governor, Senator, House of Representatives member, Commissioner, and Local Government Chairman—should be zoned to Ado-Odo/Igbesa.

The group clarified that its demand is not an act of hostility but a call for equity, justice, and sustainable political harmony. It also urged traditional rulers across Aworiland to guard against being used as instruments of partisan politics.

The communiqué concluded with an appeal for unity, stating that what Ado-Odo/Igbesa seeks is “not domination but fairness, not exclusion but inclusion,” emphasising that political offices belong collectively to all communities in the local government.