A socio-political advocacy group, Egbe Ajosepo Fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa, has passionately urged political parties and stakeholders in Oyo State to consider the Oke-Ogun zone for the 2027 governorship seat.
Heritage Echo correspondence reports that the group’s National Chairman, Mr. Dauda Olaifa-Alade, made the call on Thursday at the maiden general meeting and community sensitization program toward the 2027 governorship election, held at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
Dauda Olaifa emphasized the need for fairness, inclusivity, and balance in the state’s power distribution.
According to him, the political history of Oyo State has revealed that the distribution of the governorship seat has not reflected the true spirit of fairness and inclusivity.
The Oke-Ogun zone, which comprises ten local government areas, has been marginalized in the state’s political landscape, despite its significant contributions to the state’s economy and development. He argued that it’s time for the zone to take its rightful place in the state’s governance structure.
He also noted that while one zone had been perpetually privileged in the last 42 years, others had remained sidelined, except when the position moved out of Ibadan.
This, he said, was an imbalance that called for a review.
“We must tell ourselves the truth, a house where only a few members eat at the table while others are kept at the door cannot continue to experience peace.
“Our demand is simple and just; 2027 must be the year that Oyo State will embrace a new political culture, one where the governorship power rotates among all zones, giving every son and daughter a fair sense of belonging.
“When this begins, we plead that it begins with and from the Oke-Ogun zone, which is the next largest to Ibadan in terms of population.
“This is neither a call for division nor a cry of bitterness but a demand for balance, inclusivity, peace, and sustainable development,” he said.
He, therefore, urged political parties, leaders, and stakeholders to let fairness guide their decisions toward the zoning of the 2027 governorship ticket.
Olaifa-Alade reiterated the resolve of Oke-Ogun to support any political party that selected its candidate from any of the towns in the zone, irrespective of religion, cultural, or social affiliations.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Oyo G22 Renewed Group, Elder Adebayo Olagbenro, stated that the demand was in line with his group’s focus.
Elder Olagbenro said Oyo G22 Renewed Group has been a frontrunner in the campaign for other zones, apart from Ibadan, to be given the chance to govern the state.
He explained that G22 has no focus, especially on a particular zone, but generally supports the call that other zones should be given the chance.
He, however, noted it was high time youths, market women, and citizens of other zones woke up to claim their rights as true citizens of Oyo State.
This, he said, could only be achieved if other zones remained united, ready for the task ahead in their demand to take the governorship seat out of the Ibadan zone.
“Each zone, whether Oyo, Ogbomoso, or Ibarapa, cannot stand separately and achieve any meaningful result.
“Other zones should no longer see themselves as second-class citizens, helpers, or slaves in the state affairs; they need to wake up to claim what belongs to them.
“The remaining zones outside Ibadan are yet to discover the worth and power at their disposal if they join hands together on their demand
“This demand cannot be achieved either by confrontation or appeal, but by a healthy alliance among other zones,” he said.
The highlight of the event features contributions from other zones, goodwill messages from representatives from other zones, and governorship aspirants from the Oke-Ogun zone.
As the 2027 governorship election approaches, the demand for Oke-Ogun’s turn to occupy the governor’s seat is gaining momentum, as they are ready for what ought to be and demand the call.
