As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the conversation in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency is increasingly tilting toward one issue: continuity.
For many constituents across Igboora, Idere, Tapa, Ayete, Igangan and adjoining communities, the question is not about new promises, but about building on what has already been started. At the center of that conversation is Dr. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, candidate of the APM and widely known as ‘Ibarapa Kan’.
Since his first foray into the Green Chamber, Dr. Adepoju has anchored his representation on the realities of Ibarapa , an agrarian region where education, health, youth opportunity and rural infrastructure determine daily life. His approach has been less about noise and more about presence, a style that has earned him the nickname ‘Ibarapa Kan’, the one who belongs to Ibarapa.
In education, the focus has been on reducing the cost of learning for families. Through scholarships and the provision of learning materials, many students in public schools across the two local governments have received direct support. The idea, according to those familiar with the interventions, has been to ensure that financial difficulty does not truncate the dreams of bright children in Ibarapa.
The health sector has also received attention. Recognizing the gaps in rural healthcare delivery, efforts were made to facilitate medical outreaches and to draw attention to the state of primary health centers. For communities where traveling long distances for basic care is still common, this intervention provided immediate relief and kept health on the front burner of legislative advocacy.
Perhaps where his impact resonates most is among youths and women. Ibarapa’s economy is driven by farming and small-scale trade, but young people have continued to seek alternatives. In response, empowerment initiatives were channeled toward skills acquisition, agricultural support and micro-enterprise development. The goal was simple: equip people with tools to earn and sustain livelihoods without having to leave their communities.
On infrastructure, the task of a federal lawmaker is to speak and lobby for his people where national budgets are made. Over the last three years, the constituency’s needs, from rural roads that link farms to markets, to electricity and other basic amenities ,were consistently tabled. While not all challenges can be solved in one term, the engagement created a channel through which Ibarapa Central/North gained visibility in federal planning.
For the first time in the history of our constituency, we saw representation that went beyond politics. The works ‘Ibarapa Kan’ brought to the table are unprecedented and remain unmatched.
What perhaps distinguishes Dr. Adepoju is accessibility. In a political environment where elected officials are often distant after elections, he has maintained a grassroots connection. Town-hall engagements, visits to communities, and direct responses to constituents’ concerns have reinforced the perception of a representative who is in touch.
Now, as the APM presents him again for the federal seat, the argument being made in Ibarapa is that of consolidation. A first term lays the foundation. A second term is where relationships mature, legislative experience deepens, and the capacity to attract bigger federal projects improves.
For a constituency that depends heavily on agriculture, education and small businesses, that continuity could mean the difference between abandoned projects and completed ones, between proposals and actual federal presence.
The choice before Ibarapa Central/North, therefore, is whether to start over or to build on a foundation already laid. For many voters who have watched the last four years closely, the answer lies in returning proven leadership to Abuja.
In their words, ‘Ibarapa Kan’ should be given the mandate again, not because of party, but because of performance.
Bashorun Saintabey is an author, researcher, and public intellectual. His work examines the intersection of governance, values, and community development in the African context. With a voice rooted in history yet focused on the future, he writes to challenge perspectives, document societal truths, and equip readers with practical wisdom for leadership and personal growth
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