The Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly,Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka of Ifo/Ewekoro federal Constituency,has challenged journalists to verify claims that he’s lost grassroots support in Ifo Local Government, urging them to ask traditional rulers, market leaders, religious groups, and youth bodies directly.
He dismissed claims that people of Ifo Local Government were against his 4th term ambition insisting that his contributions to the area over the years remained unmatched.
Isiaka stated this while speaking with journalists during the APC Governorship primary election activities in Wasimi Ward 5, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The federal lawmaker, however, described the turnout for the exercise as a reflection of “apathy” among party members across the constituency, attributing the situation to circumstances surrounding the process.
"I would still call this a bit of apathy. It required a lot of courage and persuasion for me to mobilise people for this exercise. People have been reluctant, not only in Wasimi Ward, but across the entire federal constituency,” he said.
According to him, the situation was not peculiar to Wasimi Ward alone, noting that similar reactions had been observed across Ewekoro Local Government, saying that, despite the development, party members must accept the situation in good faith and remain committed to the will of Allah.
Reflecting on his political trajectory ,the lawmaker noted that he had contested for the House of Representatives seat three consecutive times without ever being handed an automatic ticket or benefiting from zoning arrangements between Ifo and Ewekoro local governments.
“This is my third consecutive time in the House of Representatives and at no time was I ever given a free ticket. Time has never been considered to say let us rotate between Ifo and Ewekoro,” he stated.
He recounted his political and administrative contributions to Ifo Local Government dating back to 1990 when he served as Vice Chairman of the local government before the creation of Ewekoro Local Government.
Isiaka said he also served as Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and Natural Resources, during which he initiated agricultural projects, including fish ponds and poultry farms, while supporting workers’ salaries.
The Lawmaker who is the Deputy Chief Whip in the Green Chamber further highlighted his tenure as Senior Special Adviser on Projects for the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), saying Ifo recorded the highest number of rehabilitated and newly constructed schools in Ogun State during the period.
He added that, he also facilitated the construction of a 2,000-capacity town hall in Ifo, describing it as one of several developmental projects he attracted to the area.
Reacting to narratives suggesting that Ifo residents no longer supported him, the lawmaker challenged journalists to conduct independent investigations among various groups in the local government.
“Go to the Iyalojas, Babalojas, traditional chiefs, the League of Imams, CAN, and the youth groups and ask them who Isiaka is before drawing conclusions,” he said.
He maintained that his political influence and grassroots support in Ifo remained strong, insisting that his contributions had helped strengthen the APC in the area.
“Whatever God says, I follow,” Isiaka asserted.
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