African Peoples Movement (APM) candidate for the Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sunday Falae, has called for the governorship of the state to return to the central senatorial district after the current administration, arguing that Akure deserves the opportunity to produce the next governor of the state.
Falae argued that although the current political contest is for the Senate, but said the agitation for equitable power rotation in the state cannot be ignored.
According to him, the North and South Senatorial Districts have produced governors over the years, while Akure, despite being the state capital since the state was created in 1976, has yet to produce an elected governor.
He said, ‘We don’t have anybody speaking for Akure. I know this is not the time for governorship election, but people are already positioning themselves, and some are not even from the Central because they believe power should return to them.
‘Even if the current governor completes another term, power should naturally come back to the Central. The North has produced governors several times, the South is producing the current governor, but Akure has waited for almost 50 years without producing one.’
Falae said he personally witnessed the creation of Ondo State in 1976 and believes it is unfair that Akure, the state capital, has remained politically marginalised despite its strategic role.
He disclosed that his aspiration for the Senate was driven by a desire to give the people effective representation while also serving as a strong voice for the central district.
The APM candidate said representation must go beyond lawmaking to ensuring that elected officials remain accessible to their constituents.
He promised that if elected senator, he would establish functional constituency offices in every local government within Ondo Central.
‘There will be an office in every local government staffed by a lawyer. If constituents have challenges requiring intervention, they will have somewhere to go. Representation should not end after elections,’ he said.
Falae also said his years of living in the United States exposed him to a responsive legislative system where elected representatives remain accessible to citizens.
Drawing from that experience, he pledged to make himself available to the people throughout his tenure if elected.
He dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had already secured victory ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that personality, credibility and grassroots acceptance would matter more than party platforms.
According to him, ‘It is no longer about the party. It is about the personality. People vote for those they trust and those who have impacted their lives.’
Falae said his long-standing involvement in youth empowerment and community development across Ondo Central had prepared him for public office, adding that his mission was to bring governance closer to the grassroots.