In every thriving society, certain values guide progress: fairness, justice, equity, equality, and inclusivity. These values are demanded by God, affirmed by tradition, and required for stable nation-building.
Yet, in Ọ̀yọ́ State — the Pace Setter State — the political pattern of the last 26 years reveals an imbalance that can no longer be ignored. One region has produced the Governor for 21 years. Only once did Providence shift power elsewhere — for a brief 5 years. Three entire regions have never tasted the governorship since 1999.
In a state that should lead others by example, this imbalance raises critical questions of justice and collective responsibility.
This message is addressed not to one audience, but to all who hold the destiny of Ọ̀yọ́ State in their hands.
To Political Stakeholders:
Dear political leaders, office-holders, party elders, aspirants, strategists and kingmakers, permit me to say that the future is watching, history is recording and posterity will ask: “did you choose justice, or did you sustain imbalance”?
The continued domination of one region is not political brilliance; it is political short-sightedness. A house divided along regional lines is easy to govern temporarily, but impossible to sustain long-term.
Fair power rotation is not a loss of influence — it is the wisdom that stabilises political systems.
Across successful states in Nigeria, power rotation ensures peace, reduces electoral tensions, and builds statewide trust. Ọ̀yọ́ State cannot afford to stand against this proven model.
Therefore, stakeholders must rise above personal ambition and place the state above self. If equity dies in the hands of leaders, injustice will haunt the generations that follow.
The burden of leadership is, ultimately, the call of history. And history will unfailingly confront every stakeholder with a single, piercing question: What did you do when the moment came to right the wrongs and correct the errors?
To Civil Society And Advocacy Groups:
The voice of the people must speak loudly to the civil society, religious bodies, cultural associations, labour unions, traditional institutions, journalists, activists that this is their moment to talk that silence now is complicity.
They should be told that their collective duty is not just to observe democracy but also to defend its moral foundation.
Regional imbalance is not a private political affair — it is a public injustice that affects development, representation, and inclusion.
Civil society must amplify the call for equitable power distribution, organise town halls debates and public conversations, demand accountability from political parties and mobilise citizens to insist on fairness.
We must know that no democracy matures where injustice goes unchallenged.
Therefore, we must do all to call for a stop to lopsided society where the law of George Orwell’s Animal Farm operates that all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others.
To The Youth:
To the young people of Ọ̀yọ́ State — the largest voting bloc, the backbone of election mobilisation, the bearers of the future:
Don’t allow the Genzee stuffs to allow you forget that you are the generation that must refuse old injustices.
You are not too young to know that political exclusion creates underdevelopment. You are not too young to demand that all regions have a chance to lead. And you are certainly not too young to decide that the politics of 2025 must be different.
You must know and accept the truth that the same old politics cannot create a new Ọ̀yọ́ State.
So, a generation that wants progress must first demand justice. Your chant must be clear that: “No region must be left behind again.”
Your energy, your voice, your vote, your organisation — these are the tools that can break 26 years of imbalance. The future belongs to you. So, you must fight for equity.
To The General Public:
Dear citizens — traders, farmers, artisans, professionals, civil servants, retirees, traditional families, religious communities — this is your home. The State belongs to the general public and you must defend its balance.
A fair political system benefits everyone. When leadership rotates: development spreads, opportunities widen, tension reduces, unity deepens and every child in every region grows with hope.
But, when one region monopolises power: resources concentrate,
representation weakens,
communities feel abandoned and faith in the system collapses.
Ọ̀yọ́ State belongs to all her people. No region is superior to another. No region is destined to rule forever. The people must demand what is right: fairness, justice, equity, equality and inclusivity.
The Moment Of Decision: 2025 And Beyond:
As the state approaches another political cycle, we stand at a crossroads: one path leads to the repetition of an old, unjust pattern; the other leads to a new dawn of fairness and inclusive governance.
The Bible, the Qur’an, and Ifá — our three ancient moral pillars — agree on one thing: oppression and imbalance are against divine order.
In Micah 6:8, the Bible said: “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”
Qur’an 16:90 said: “Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.”
Odù Ìwòrì Méjì, in Ifá Corpus said: “Kí á má ṣe ẹnikẹ́ni ní kùtùkùtù bí a kò bá fẹ́ kí a ṣe sí wa; ìdọ́lé ò ṣe, ìṣekúṣe ò ṣe, òdodo ni a ṣe.” – meaning, “Do not treat others in any way you would not want to be treated; embrace righteousness and reject oppression”.
Stakeholders must choose justice. Civil society must amplify justice. Youth must demand justice. The people must insist on justice. Only then can Ọ̀yọ́ State truly live up to its name — The Pace Setter State.
Let fairness stand. Let equity prevail. Let justice speak. Let inclusivity guide our politics. Let Ọ̀yọ́ State lead Nigeria not only in name, but in moral excellence.
Pst. Favour Adéwọyin,
National Secretary, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa.
