Oyo 2027: Here Are Ibadan’s Four Criteria For Oke-Ogun Governor – An Investigation
The call for rotational governorship in Oyo State is gaining significant traction. Zones that haven’t held the top office since the 1999 political dispensation are increasingly demanding equity, fairness, and justice.
At the forefront of this movement are dedicated members and stakeholders of Ègbé Àjosepò Fún Ìtésíwájú Gbogbo Wa. With membership rooted in the Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa axes of Oyo State, their primary focus is addressing zonal marginalization and ensuring an Oke-Ogun indigene emerges governor in 2027.
Despite their relatively recent formation, the forum’s core objective has already captured the attention of key figures in Oyo State, Abuja (Nigeria’s seat of power), and the diaspora.
Acrossnigerianews.com recently learnt from a reliable source that stakeholders from Ègbé Àjosepò Fún Ìtésíwájú Gbogbo Wa met with Barrister Ajewole Ajetola, President General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, Ibadan. The discussion centered on rotational governorship and the imperative for an Oke-Ogun indigene to assume leadership in the 2027 political landscape.
A prominent stakeholder who spoke with the online news outlet revealed that the meeting was fruitful. The CCII President General reportedly indicated that Ibadan has no objection to the agitation for gubernatorial rotation among the state’s zones, emphasizing only their desire for effective leadership.
As the push for fairness and justice intensifies, acrossnigerianews.com gathered from an anonymous but prominent Ibadan indigene that the movement has reached the notice of Ibadan opinion leaders and influential decision-makers. They are now considering how power should be shifted but are particularly concerned with four key criteria that could serve as prerequisites for an Oke-Ogun indigene to emerge governor in 2027.
The Four Key Criteria for Oke-Ogun Aspirants, which
the anonymous source opined could be used as prerequisites are outlined as follows:
Integrity: Aspirants vying for the governorship from Oke-Ogun must possess unblemished integrity. This means that individuals, whether career politicians, business moguls, or technocrats, should not have been indicted by any court of competent jurisdiction or subjected to credible investigation by anti-graft agencies.
Religious Tolerance: Prospective candidates should demonstrate genuine religious tolerance. They must guard against religious sentiment and fanaticism that could lead them to favour one religious group over the general populace.
Strong Political Connections: Gubernatorial aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oke-Ogun should be close allies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Similarly, those in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must be close associates of Governor Seyi Makinde. These established connections with influential political leaders will be a significant consideration for prominent Ibadan indigenes.
Popularity and Ibadan Connections: The fourth criterion is widespread popularity, which is crucial for securing victory. Candidates must have deep, productive, and impactful connections within Ibadan and demonstrate their ability to mobilize at the grassroots level.
Beyond these criteria, findings suggest that the following individuals from Oke-Ogun are considered qualified and noteworthy to take the baton of leadership, as people continue to persuade them to throw hat in the ring.
Chief AbdulJeleel Abiodun Owonikoko SAN: A native of Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government, he is the son of the late political titan, Chief Kazeem Omoshalewa Owonikoko. He is the current Baamofin of Oke-Ogun land.
The first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from Oke-Ogun, he is a highly respected lawyer, technocrat, and has firm grip of his father’s political legacy. He is also a close ally and lawyer to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Hon. (Chief) Taoreed Shina Abiola Peller: Also from Iseyin, Peller is a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ayedero of Yorubaland. A former member of the House of Representatives, his popularity extends beyond Oyo State across Nigeria. He is seen as a strong contender should power shift to Oke-Ogun in 2027.
Engineer Rauf Olaniyan: The immediate past Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Olaniyan hails from Igboho, Oorelope Local Government. His presence commands respect among Ibadan indigenes, and he is known to have strong connections with influential figures in Ibadan. It was also noted that he was slated for the 2023 gubernatorial ticket by former President Muhammadu Buhari, before other political dynamics unfolded.
Amofin Beulah Adeoye: His name resonates among gubernatorial hopefuls whose candidacy appeals to Ibadan. A strong PDP Chieftain from Ipapo in Itesiwaju Local Government, he may be a relatively new entrant into mainstream politics but maintains a deep relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde.
Senator Hosea Ayoola (popularly known as ‘Alleluyyah’): Hailing from Igbojaye in Itesiwaju Local Government, Senator Ayoola is a former member of the House of Senate and previously served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. He is an influential PDP stakeholder whose name commands considerable respect across Oyo State.
Barrister Abdurraheem Adebayo Shittu: A chieftain of the APC from Saki, he is a former Minister of Communications and a former member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly. He maintains a good rapport with Ibadan people, and his caliber speaks volumes about his personality.
Not only but also Sir Riliwan Aleshinloye, an Indigene of Iseyin, who is a Lagos based socialite, whom President Bola Ahmed Tinubu holds in high esteem. He was a local government chairman in Lagos State and held the position between 1999-2007.
