IMEKO/AFON STAKEHOLDER DEMANDS MERIT-BASED POLITICS, WARNS AGAINST CANDIDATE IMPOSITION

A political stakeholder in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Luqman Okewunmi, has called for an end to candidate imposition in the local political landscape, urging leaders and party stakeholders to embrace merit, transparency, and credibility as the basis for leadership selection ahead of future elections.

In a detailed statement made available to journalists, Okewunmi decried what he described as the growing culture of imposition in Nigeria’s democratic system, warning that such practices pose a serious threat to public trust and democratic integrity.

According to him, democracy can only thrive where the principles of fairness, accountability, and freedom of choice are upheld, stressing that any attempt to sideline these values undermines the legitimacy of leadership.

“Imposition in a democratic system is a direct threat to credibility and a gradual erosion of public trust. True leadership must emerge from the will of the people, not from the influence of a few,” he stated.

Okewunmi noted that recent political developments across the country have shown that popular mandate remains the only legitimate path to leadership, pointing to the emergence of Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as an example of how credibility, performance, and public acceptance can shape political outcomes.

He warned that any attempt to impose candidates within Imeko/Afon—whether driven by favoritism, fear, or political nepotism—would amount to a betrayal of public confidence and a disservice to the people.

The statement emphasized that the local government is endowed with capable and forward-thinking individuals, particularly among the youth, who possess the competence to lead effectively if given a fair opportunity.

“Leadership should be earned through merit, not assigned through influence,” Okewunmi declared.

He further called on political leaders, elders, and stakeholders across party lines to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process, urging them not to “mortgage the future” of the people through undemocratic practices.

Okewunmi stressed that the people of Imeko/Afon are increasingly politically aware and will resist any attempt to revert to what he described as outdated methods of candidate selection.

In a firm appeal, he insisted that all aspirants seeking to represent the constituency at the state level must emerge through a transparent and credible process that reflects the collective will of the electorate.

“No individual’s ambition or undue influence should subject our Local Government to stagnation for another four years,” he added.

The statement concluded with a strong rejection of imposition and favoritism, reaffirming support for merit-based leadership and the true voice of the people.

Political analysts say such calls reflect a broader shift in Nigeria’s political space, where citizens—especially young people—are increasingly demanding accountability, inclusion, and adherence to democratic norms.

As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle, stakeholders believe that how parties handle internal democracy at the grassroots level could significantly influence voter confidence and overall electoral outcomes.