As the country prepares for the 2027 political dispensation, advice has gone to the stakeholders and gladiators in All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Oyo State to ensure that the gubernatorial ticket is zoned to Òkèògùn region to have the first shot at governorship among the marginalised region where power would shift and begin to rotate to the other marginalised regions like Ibarapa. Oyo and Ogbomoso.
This struggle for power shift in Oyo State politics, which started few weeks ago, has got the support of the Ibarapa people while awaiting the support of Oyo and Ogbomosọ regions,
In a brief discussion with the Oke-Ogun traditional rulers at the palace of Aseyin, the members of the think-tank/Administrators of Association of United People for the Progress of All Marginalised Zones known in Yoruba as (Ègbé Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa) defended why power must shift and rotate among all the zones with a view to allowing the marginalised zones to aspire to the exalted position of the Governor of Oyo State.
In other words, the “Forum”, a socio-cultural association, formerly known as “Oke-Ogun Ibarapa Concerned Indigenes” is poised to collaborate with other socio-cultural associations to change the narrative of the agelong marginalisation with a view to guaranteeing the feasibility of a power shift and rotational governorship in Oyo State.
While expatiating on the purpose of visit to the traditional rulers, Engr Olaifa Dauda, the Chairman of “Forum” disclosed that their visit was to hint the monarchs on the aims and objectives that orchestrated the birth of the movement.
Speaking further with the kings, the Chairman identifed religious bigotry, political blindness and excessive town patronage as negative factors that have prevented the marginalised zones from attaining governorship position, which is the most exalted seat in Oyo State over the years.
According to the Chairman of the association, once they have identified the problems, they have started to seek for solutions which was why they were moving from one place to the other. The goal of the association is GOAL which means in Yoruba language “Gomina Oyo Awa l ó kan”.
“Put differently, it is our turn to produce the Governor of Oyo State come 2027”.
Still on the same issue of marginalisation, Pastor Favour Adewoyin Adewale, the “Forum”s General Secretary, lamented that, out of twenty five years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999, Ibadan with eleven (11) Local Governments has been able to produce governors for twenty one years out of the twenty five years that this political dispensation began.
In addition, the General Secretary said that Ogbomoso was able to produce the governor of the Pacesetter State by chance or divine design only for four years.
Furthermore, the General Secretary said that if the people can unite and speak with one voice, the long awaited change would become a reality in no time. While alluding to the five states in the Southwest Geopolitical Zone, Pastor Favour said it was high time to change the narrative to embrace the principles of fairness, equity, justice and equality of all people in the politics of Oyo State.
In their separate responses, the Onigbeti of Igbetiland, HRM Oba Bashir Olalekan Abioye Siyambola IV showered encomiums on members of the “Forum” for their conviction and patriotism aimed at ensuring that Oke-Ogun/Ibarapa produces the next governor of Oyo State come 2027.
The monarch charged them not to limit the campaign and struggles to only Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa axes of the state in order to actualise the dream. According to the monarch, other zones must be carried along with clear position on why the marginalised zones should be allowed for governorship.
The Alagere of Ofiki, Oba Bashir Oyeshiji asked the members of “Forum” to prioritise oneness, unity and togetherness as the needed prerequisites to attain the goal.
The Aare Alawo Ekun of Ofikiland, HRM Oba Adeoye Gbenga Adigun Oyetunji Oyinlola II JP, advised the members of the new movement to reach out to the stakeholders of the leading political parties to ensure that that the two political parties to pick their gubernatorial candidates from Oke-Ogun region.
The Olokaka of Okakaland, HRM Oba Ayoola Abdul Azeez Olatunji Ogelende prayed for them and however charged them to speak with one voice and avoid sentiments that can lead to dichotomies, which are capable of jeopardising success.
Finally, the members of the “Forum” in attendance were: Engr. Olaifa Dauda(Chairman), Pastor Favour Adewoyin Adewale (General Secretary), Dr. Oladejo Ajuwon (Host), Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi (Spokesperson), Mr. Olusola Babalola (Finance Manager) Prof. Sifawu Adenike (Member), Com Dr. Jonathan Ojedokun (Member) and Mr Shittu Yahya (Member) respectively.
