Ogun Waterside 2027: ‘Our Turn Has Come’ - Makun-Omi/Irokun Pushes for First Assembly Seat

A quiet but firm agitation is building in Ogun Waterside Local Government as community leaders and residents call for a fair shot at representation for Makun-Omi/Irokun Ward in the Ogun State House of Assembly, something the ward has not had since 1999.

A review of past representation shows a clear pattern. Since the return to democracy, Assembly seats have rotated across Abigi, Lukogbe/Ilushin, Ibiade, Ayede/Lomiro, and Ode-Omi wards under different political platforms. Yet, Makun-Omi/Irokun, despite its size, economic activity, and strategic coastal location, has remained outside the circle.

That omission is now at the centre of a broader conversation around equitable representation, grassroots democracy, and inclusive governance in Ogun Waterside.

For many residents, this is not just about politics; it is about voice. Makun-Omi hosts one of the most active markets in the local government, serving as a hub for coastal trade, small business growth, and local revenue generation (IGR). Daily commercial activity in the area supports livelihoods across surrounding communities and contributes to the local economy in measurable ways.

But economic relevance has not always translated into political influence.

Community stakeholders point to recurring land disputes, boundary tensions, and encroachment concerns, including pressures linked to neighbouring Ondo State. In those moments, many say the absence of a strong legislative presence in the ward has limited the ward's ability to defend its interests and secure timely government intervention.

Now, a new factor is raising the stakes.

Recent developments around an oil resource in Eba, within the Makun-Omi/Irokun axis, have placed the ward at the heart of conversations on resource control, energy potential, and coastal economic development in Ogun State. For residents, this is a defining moment, one that demands representation that understands both the risks and the opportunities associated with emerging natural resources.

The argument gaining traction is straightforward: fairness, balance, and political inclusion require that Makun-Omi/Irokun be allowed to produce the next Assembly member.

Within that context, names are beginning to surface, including Simeon Olu Okeowo, who is being positioned by supporters as a candidate with deep local roots and a working knowledge of coastal challenges. His backers argue that the next phase of leadership in Ogun Waterside must prioritise infrastructure development, security, rural electrification, and sustainable coastal growth, areas they believe require both experience and proximity to the issues.

While the political process is still unfolding, the message from Makun-Omi/Irokun is becoming harder to ignore: representation is not just a privilege for some wards, but a right for all.

As 2027 approaches, the demand is clear: give Makun-Omi/Irokun the voice it has long been denied.