A House of Representatives aspirant for Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency, Prince Abdulhakeem Animashahun, has intensified calls for the zoning of the party’s ticket to Ebute Metta West ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that fairness, equity, and security considerations demand a shift in political representation within the constituency.
Animashahun made the appeal during a live interaction, where he outlined what he described as decades of imbalance in the distribution of the House of Representatives seat between the two major blocs in Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency.
According to him, Constituency II has dominated the seat for a disproportionate period, holding it for about 20 out of the last 27 years, while Constituency I has had only approximately eight years of representation since 1999.
He explained that the initial tenure from 1999 to 2007 was held by a representative from Constituency II, who later moved to Constituency I, further complicating the zoning balance.
Subsequent political movements and realignments, he said, allowed Constituency II to retain control of the seat beyond what would have been a fair rotational arrangement.
Animashahun noted that after Constituency II completed what should have been its second cycle of representation, the seat was expected to return to Constituency I.
However, the arrangement, according to him, did not materialize, as Constituency II continued to hold the position for an additional four years, extending its dominance to about 12 consecutive years since 2015.
Based on this historical pattern, the aspirant argued that the principle of zoning should now favour Constituency I, specifically Ebute Metta West, which he said has not benefited from either elective or appointive political offices despite its significant voting strength.
“We are not just talking about fairness and equity; this is also about inclusion and stability,” he stated, emphasizing that continued marginalization could heighten political tension in an area he described as sensitive and prone to unrest.
Animashahun stressed that adopting a zoning arrangement would not only address longstanding grievances but also serve as a strategic move to prevent potential violence and ensure broader political participation in Lagos Mainland.
He further appealed to party leaders and stakeholders, including the presidency, to consider the agitation in the interest of unity and electoral success, noting that inclusive representation would strengthen grassroots mobilization and improve voter turnout.
While acknowledging internal party mechanisms such as direct primaries and consensus arrangements, he maintained that any decision must reflect justice and the collective interest of all segments within the constituency.
The aspirant also reiterated his commitment to delivering effective representation if given the opportunity, promising to leverage legislative action and constituency engagement to address youth unemployment, economic challenges, and social development issues in Lagos Mainland.
Animashahun’s call adds to the growing debate over zoning and internal democracy within political parties, particularly in constituencies where long-standing power imbalances continue to shape electoral contests.
