….”Says Adavi West Deserves Opportunity After Years of Imbalance
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The race for the 2027 House of Representatives seat for Okehi/Adavi Federal Constituency gathered momentum as Hon. Adams Mustapha Ojenya officially picked his nomination form, declaring that the contest must be guided by fairness, equity, inclusion, and regional balance.
Speaking during an interaction with supporters and political stakeholders, Hon. Mustapha said his aspiration was driven by the need to ensure balanced representation within the constituency, particularly between Adavi East and Adavi West.
According to him, Adavi East has occupied the Green Chamber seat for two consecutive terms, making it both fair and politically necessary for Adavi West to produce the next representative.
“The issue is beyond personal ambition. It is about justice, inclusiveness, and giving every section a sense of belonging,” he stated.
The aspirant, a seasoned banker and Information Technology expert, described himself as a bridge between grassroots realities and modern governance. He noted that his professional experience in banking, IT management, and fraud investigation has prepared him to address challenges relating to accountability, transparency, and digital transformation in governance.
Hon. Mustapha also highlighted his legislative background, recalling his service as Chief Whip of the Kogi State Youth Parliament where he represented Adavi constituency.
He said the experience exposed him to the workings of lawmaking and strengthened his passion for youth development and effective representation.
Beyond politics, the aspirant emphasized his close connection with the people of Adavi-Eba and surrounding communities, insisting that his background and philanthropic activities remain well known across the constituency.
Political observers at the gathering described his emergence as a major development capable of reshaping the political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.
During the discussion, Hon. Mustapha also addressed controversies surrounding zoning and clan-based representation in the constituency. He revealed that some political actors had argued he was ineligible to contest based on existing informal arrangements.
Responding to the claims, he traced the history of political rotation within Okehi and Adavi, describing it as a longstanding “gentleman’s agreement” designed to promote inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence among different blocs.
“It may not be written in the constitution, but it has helped maintain unity and balance over the years,” he explained.
He further argued that if zoning and fairness remain acceptable principles in other political arrangements within the area, then Adavi West should equally be considered for the House of Representatives seat.
Providing historical analysis of representation in the constituency, Hon. Mustapha maintained that Adavi East had produced representatives more times than Adavi West since 1999, making the case for balance stronger ahead of 2027.
In an emotional part of his remarks, the aspirant praised the leadership and mentorship qualities of ADC Chieftain Hajiya Maryam Ibrahim, saying testimonies about her good deeds from people outside her political circle strengthened his confidence in her leadership.
“When outsiders speak positively about someone’s leadership and humanitarian impact, it becomes a validation on its own,” he said.
Supporters described Hon. Mustapha as a credible grassroots politician whose combination of education, leadership experience, and community service positions him as a strong contender for the federal seat.
Stakeholders from across Okehi and Adavi were urged to rally behind what supporters called “a movement for fairness, progress, and inclusive representation.”
