Eniola Yekini
Honourable Prince Sikiru Adetona Ayedun, popularly known as ESKAY, has formally declared his intention to contest for the Ife Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Ayedun made the declaration on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at a Town Hall Meeting held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders, youth and women groups and members of the press in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, the former Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism in Osun State said his aspiration was driven by a sense of civic responsibility and a desire to strengthen the voice of Ife at the national level.
“Today, before the people of Ife Federal Constituency, I formally declare my intention to contest for election as Member of the House of Representatives in the 2027 general election, under the platform of the African Democratic Congress,” Ayedun said.
Describing public office as a responsibility and not a reward, he noted that the role of a federal legislator goes beyond occupying a seat in Abuja.
“The representative’s responsibility is not simply to occupy a seat in Abuja. It is to understand the needs of the constituency, articulate them effectively, scrutinise public expenditure, advocate appropriate legislation and maintain a meaningful relationship with the people,” he said.
Ayedun, a prince from the Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife, traced his background in public administration, maritime and logistics management and public service, including his tenure as Managing Director of SAPID Agencies Limited and as Commissioner from 2011 to 2014.
He said his experience in administration and cultural affairs had reinforced his conviction that cultural preservation and economic development must go hand in hand.
“Our heritage must remain a living inheritance: protected for future generations and capable of contributing to present-day livelihoods,” he said.
He disclosed that during his tenure as Commissioner, his ministry executed initiatives linked to the development of facilities at the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Olumirin Waterfall and the promotion of the Oduduwa and Oranmiyan heritage.
Unveiling his six-point Ife Renewal Agenda, Ayedun listed Quality Education and Youth Development, Accessible Healthcare and Community Well-being, Roads, Infrastructure and Rural Development, Economic Empowerment, Agriculture and Job Creation, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and the Ife Tuntun Vision, and Transparent, Accessible and People-Driven Representation.
On education, he promised to advocate improved educational infrastructure, scholarships, vocational training and digital literacy.
“Our young people should be treated as partners in development, not merely as an audience during political campaigns,” he said.
On infrastructure, he said he would adopt an evidence-based approach to document priorities across Ife East, Ife Central, Ife North and Ife South.
“Our communities deserve a representative who recognises that development must be assessed by its practical effects on people’s lives,” he said.
He also pledged to support farmers, traders, artisans and small businesses with access to legitimate government enterprise programmes and market linkages, while ensuring youth empowerment goes beyond tokenism.
Addressing the significance of his nickname, Ayedun defined ESKAY as Empathy, Steadfastness, Kindness, Accountability and Yielding to Unity.
“These principles are not a substitute for policies, budgets or measurable results. They are standards by which conduct should be judged,” he said.
He called for peace and unity across the constituency, urging residents to eschew violence and uphold respect for diversity.
“No development agenda can succeed sustainably in an atmosphere of violence, hostility and division,” he said.
Ayedun stressed that his campaign would be anchored on realistic planning, transparent communication and accountability.
“I will not pretend that one individual can resolve every challenge overnight. Neither will I treat institutional limitations as an excuse for inaction,” he said.
He concluded with a call for collective action to build what he described as a Brighter Ife Constituency.
“History has given Ife Federal Constituency a remarkable cultural inheritance. Our responsibility is to ensure that future generations inherit not only the memory of our greatness, but also communities with stronger opportunities,” Ayedun said.