Opinion | Kwara North, practice the equity you preach

By Magajii Yusuf Omolabi

As the political conversation around Kwara State intensifies ahead of 2027, leaders and stakeholders from Kwara North have been loud, consistent, and united in one demand: power must shift to Kwara North. Their argument is rooted in equity, fairness, and justice principles that are fundamental to any democratic system.

But here lies the contradiction.

While Kwara North is vigorously advocating for inclusion at the state level, it is failing to uphold those same principles within its own senatorial district.

A closer look at the history of representation in Kwara North tells a compelling story. Since 1999, the senatorial seat has rotated across several local government areas:

Patigi LGA (1999–2003)

Baruten LGA (2003–2011)

Edu LGA (2011–2019)

Kaiama LGA (2019–Present)

This pattern suggests an attempt at balance but only partial balance. One critical stakeholder in the district, Moro Local Government Area, has been completely left out of this rotation in the Fourth Republic.

This is not just an oversight it is a glaring injustice.

You cannot, in good conscience, demand equity at the state level while denying it at the district level. You cannot cry marginalization in Kwara State and simultaneously marginalize Moro within Kwara North. That is not leadership that is selective justice.

If Kwara North truly believes in fairness, then Moro LGA must not be treated as an afterthought. It is an integral part of the district, with capable leaders, vibrant communities, and a legitimate right to representation.

The agitation for a Kwara North governor in 2027 is valid. The argument that power has long rotated between Kwara Central and Kwara South is factual. But moral authority in that struggle is weakened when Kwara North itself refuses to practice the same rotation it demands.

Equity is not a tool to be used only when convenient it is a principle that must be consistently applied.

As 2027 approaches, the message to Kwara North leaders is simple and direct:
Lead by example.

If you want the rest of Kwara State to respect your call for fairness, then you must first demonstrate fairness within your own constituency. The senatorial seat should now move to Moro LGA not as a favor, but as a matter of justice, inclusion, and political integrity.

Anything short of that exposes the agitation for governorship as self-serving rather than principled.

The time has come to correct this imbalance. The time has come for Moro.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the publication