Support Òkèògùn Candidate, Group Urges Tinubu, Makinde Ahead Of 2027 General Elections
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN —-AN advocacy group, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to support the emergence of a credible and widely acceptable governorship candidate from the Òkèògùn axis ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, which is committed to promoting equitable power rotation in Oyo State, made the call on Friday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo state.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its National Chairman, Engr. Dauda Olaifa, condemned remarks allegedly made by Sharafadeen Alli, who was quoted as suggesting that Òkèògùn’s governorship ambition “cannot work” and that the region should “wait.”
Olaifa described the statement as insensitive and unjustifiable, stressing that the people of Òkèògùn have waited long enough.
“We reject this position unequivocally. After decades of waiting, any call for further delay is not only insensitive but unjustifiable.
If fairness cannot be accepted when reversed, it should not be imposed on others. Justice delayed, in this context, is justice denied,” he said.
The group argued that since 1979, political power in Oyo State has largely been concentrated in one region, leaving others particularly Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Ọ̀yọ́, and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ marginalised in governance.
According to Olaifa, this imbalance contradicts the principles of fairness and inclusivity, as well as the federal character provisions enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
“Today, we present our cause not as a mere appeal, but as a principled demand grounded in fairness, justice, equity, and inclusivity. For far too long, Oyo State has lagged behind in embracing rotational governance, a democratic culture already entrenched in other states of the old Western Region,” he added.
He further noted that the perceived exclusion of certain regions has resulted in uneven development and limited opportunities for affected communities.
The group therefore urged both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to demonstrate commitment to equity by zoning their governorship tickets to Òkèògùn in the 2027 elections.
“We are not asking for privilege; we are demanding fairness. This is a defining moment beyond which we can no longer accept a subordinate role in determining our collective destiny,” Olaifa stated.
Drawing comparisons with neighbouring states, the group pointed out that Ogun State has made progress in rotational governance and is expected to extend such arrangements to include the Yewa axis.
It concluded by expressing optimism that political leaders in Oyo State would act with wisdom and fairness in addressing the issue ahead of the next electoral cycle.