I read through this insightful article written by Dayo Ogunsola which was carried by the recent edition of “Pentangle” where he spotlighted the issue of seriousness of Òkèògùn region when it comes to demanding for power sharing with a question “who are the Contenders from Oke-Ogun” and my quick response on the issue of seriousness is that Òkèògùn is serious than ever before to see that power begins to rotate among all the five regions of Òyọ́ State namely Ìbádàn, Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́.

So, it is not only Òkèògùn, but all the other zones who have not tasted the Governorship, or have tasted it ones, who are also ready because every region is a stakeholder in the political heritage of the Pacesetter State.
In other words, Ìbàràpá is ready, Òyọ́ is ready and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ is also ready to produce the governor from their zones.
Now, the question “who are the contenders” wouldn’t have arisen if the principle of fairness, justice, equity and equality of all men and women, has been the practice like we have in other states where they have rotational governorship.
interestingly, Oyo State is called the “Pacesetter State”; but other states are not following this pace because the residency of power in one region out of five is undemocratic. In other words, for power not to spread among the stakeholders who have equal right to the throne is unfashionable and unacceptable.
Therefore, if Oyo State truly wants to bear Pacessetter as it’s name, power must begin to rotate. It is the absence of power rotation that has rendered the other regions that have not been producing Governor, backward, marginalised and excluded in the scheme of things, talking about social amenities, infrastructure development and other aspects of human life and living.
For instance, if we take road development as a case study, we are going to see that there is nothing to write home about in the marginalised zones or regions. The truth is that, if not for the good works that the former government under Senator Isiaka Ajimobi Started that the current government continued on all the access roads that lead to Òkèògùn from Ìbádàn, Oyo and Ogbomoso, the story would have been a different story today because the people of Òkèògùn have been completely cut off and neglected.
So, we give posthumous appreciation to Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi for starting the Moniya Ìṣẹ́yìn Road, Iseyin Township Road and Saki Township Road.
But, our special gratitude will go to Governor Seyi Makinde for continuity in constructing the roads because it was possible not to continue and nothing would have happened if he didn’t continue.
To further show our gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde, it is good to mention that he did not only saw to the completion of Moniya-Ìṣẹ́yìn Road and Ṣakí Township Road, he also did beautiful jobs in fixing Òyọ́-Iseyin Road and Ogbomoso-Ìṣẹ́yìn Road.
These newly constructed roads have opened up Òkèògùn region to a large extent because the road that used to take three to four hours of tortuous journey from Moniya to Ìṣẹ́yìn is now forty five minutes smooth ride. Besides this, the roads have increased the economic activities flowing to and from Òkèògùn region.
However, it is equally good to mention that all the township roads in Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ are in terrible states of disrepair due to neglect, age, or lack of maintenance. The roads are no longer in proper working condition and they need repair or restoration.
So, apart from Ìbádàn, what the other stakeholders of Òyọ́ State are saying is that power should not be resident in one place. It should shift and rotate to other zones or regions that have not produced a Governor or have produced just only once. The argument is, what is good for the geese is also good for the gander.
Describing the need for fairness, justice, equity and equality, the Yoruba people would ask: “kí l’Òbọ ṣe t’Ínàkí ò ṣe”? Similarly, they will also assert: “ẹnìkan kìí jẹ k’ílẹ̀ ó fẹ̀” to express their belief in inclusivity.
On a similar experience, in the past, Ìbádàn people also reacted with “ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ́ ó ṣe” (let our child do it) and they got what they wanted when Chief Victor Omololu Olunloyo emerged as the first Governor of Oyo from Ìbádàn region.
Still on the question: “who are the contenders” that Dayo Ogunsola asked in his article, my answer is: there are many qualified individuals from Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ who can man the seat in Agodi. Or, are we saying, anyone who has held the position of Deputy Governor in the past cannot be Governor today? Are we saying people who have held the position of speakers of the House of Assembly cannot hold the positon of the Governor?
In addition to this, we have captains of industries who can be Governor from Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́. We also many professionals who can man the office of the Governor and will do well if the opportunity is given.
And, talking about those who have financial muscle, there are wealthy people with deep pockets in Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ who have not been able to produce Governor of Oyo State in 25 years except for the 4 years that Chief Christopher Adebayo Àlàó Akala of the blessed memory from Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ had the chance to do it.
Further, people can rally round any good candidate with their financial means to see that he achieves this lofty ambition.
Finally, again, the collective demand of the people in the other regions is that power should be rotated among the regions as they are doing in other States in Nigeria. This is the right thing to do that will please God, our Maker. Doing the right thing is what righteousness that exalts a nation means.
So, as I wind up this response, I hope the point I have raised in this article will appeal to the sensibilities of the good people of Ìbádàn to see reason in what the people are saying. It is only when this is done that there would even development in all the regions of Òyọ́ State.
Thank you and God bless you real good.
Pst. Favour A. Adéwoyin,
General Secretary, Ègbé Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa.