Oyo 2019: Oke-Ogun Not Relying On Strength To Produce Oyo State’s Next Governor
The Oasis Reporters
September 25, 2018
(right) endorse him ahead of other well educated and experienced aspirants from Oke-Ogun?
Nine aspirants initially expressed their desire to govern Oyo State and they are from various political parties but of Oke-Ogun (one of the five political zones in the state) extraction.
The zone which consists of 10 local government areas since 1999, had only produced Deputy governors – among whom were Barrister Iyiola Oladokun and the current deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo.
Oke-Ogun fondly known as the Food Basket of Oyo State due to its landmass and agricultural potentials had also produced a speaker – Hon. Mukail Alarape and Secretary to the State Government – Chief Michael Koleosho.
Investigations reveal that political bigwigs such as the current Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu (Saki West), former Chief of Staff, Professor Adeolu Akande (Itesiwaju LG) and Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan (Oorelope LG) have openly indicated interest to govern the state from 2019.
Others include a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister Ahmed Raji; former Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Dibu Ojerinde (Atisbo LG); Head Editorial, Board of Guardian newspapers, Mr. Debo Adesina (Itesiwaju); Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu (Itesiwaju); Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi and former Commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu (Atisbo LG).
Since the inception of the current fourth republic in 1999 the ambition had received strong expression through the move of the current Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu who ran for the office on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) against Abiola Ajimobi of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Since then, the zone had been canvassing for power shift from Ibadan (with 11 Local Government Areas which had produced three out of the four governors from 1999 till date) to Oke-Ogun.
Some leaders of the zone including former Minister of State for Agriculture, Chief Bamidele Dada; former Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun and Former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Michael Koleosho, traditional rulers, professional bodies, students and youth groups had also been lobbying for the number one seat over the years but the move became deepened when the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), a pressure group for the development of the zone formally declared the support for the zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2019.
President of ODCF, Dr. Olusegun Ajuwon (OON) who spoke on behalf of the zone maintained that the region, in achieving its ambition in 2019 is not only relying on its strength, but decided to work with other regions and all stakeholders to realize this objective.
While addressing journalists at a press conference under the title, “Governorship of Oyo state come 2019, it is our turn in Oke-Ogun” held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo state Council headquarters, Iyaganku, Ajuwon however stated that the region is not specific about any particular party but have mandated it on the ears of all aspirants from the region to “be good party men to get their party’s ticket.”
The event was attended by eminent personalities from the region, including the executive members of ODCF, retired Chief Justice of Oyo state, Bayo Lawal and a governorship aspirant in the state, Engineer Remi Olaniyan.
Ajuwon said “Oke-Ogun as a distinct segment of Oyo state is hereby announcing formally that for the governorship of Oyo state, it is our turn, come 2019. Gomina Ipinle Oyo, Oke-Ogun lokan. I would have added the phrase pure and simple to the slogan Governorship of Oyo State come 2019, it is our turn in Oke-Ogun, but I am fully aware that there is hardly any such phrase in politics. I know nothing of such comes easy and producing a governor will never be easy. But we have resolved to do so, so help us God.
“We Oke-Ogun people are loyal, we are hardworking, we have integrity and we are friendly, peace-loving, godly and we are bold. We have demonstrated these virtues in Oyo state, in the country and even outside the shores of Nigeria. From the time of Western region through the period of Western state, old Oyo state to the present, no citizen from Oke-Ogun has been a governor. We have been patient but we are convinced that it is now our turn to lead. We have very many qualified candidates of good standing, experienced with track records of excellent performance in public and private sectors.”
He said the region will not rely on its strength only, but has decided to work with other regions and all stakeholders to realize this objective.
“We however duly acknowledge that we certainly cannot win the governorship by ourselves in Oke-Ogun. We need the support of the other areas in the state. We are therefore soliciting for the understanding and support of our dear compatriots in Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa. We urge you all to join hands with us in this our quest and push, after all democracy is a game of numbers. We need as many friends as we can get to accomplish this goal.”
“Whichever party that presents an indigene from Oke-Ogun we will support. What is however certain is that we’re going to present one candidate to actualize our aim”.
While expressing support for the bid of the zone, Governor Abiola Ajimobi counselled that the people must seek the support of the other zones of the state for the dream to be actualized, noting that Ibadan alone constitutes 52 per cent of the entire population of the state.
Ajimobi who spoke in Okeho, the headquarters of Kajola Local Government Area of the state, at the fidau prayers for a stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Salami Oloola, acknowledged the role played by the people of Oke Ogun in his election victories, particularly in 2015 when he won an unprecedented second term in office.
“I can recall vividly that during the 2015 governorship election, I won in nine, out of the 10 local governments in Oke-Ogun, and this aided my emergence as the first governor to secure a second term in office in Oyo State.
“I cannot thank you enough. I will forever cherish you my people from Oke-Ogun and I am using this opportunity to assure you that I will reciprocate your love for me.
“Without prejudice to the competence and legitimacy of aspirants from other zones nursing the ambition of succeeding me, I can say the people of Oke Ogun deserve my support.
“But, I will advise that you seek the support of people from other zones. You must win them over to win a governorship election. For instance Ibadan people alone constitute about 52 per cent of the population.”
Speaking while featuring at the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), media chat recently held in Ibadan, one of the aspirants, Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan while making a case for Oke-Ogun’s turn to produce the next governor of the state however said the ideal candidate must be marketable, reliable and educated.
He also informed that Oke-Ogun should produce a sound, trusted and knowledgeable candidate to vie for the number one seat in the state.
The ex- General Manager of Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, (OYSROMA) said “I don’t believe in big names, look at Barrack Obama, a black man, with a father from Kenya presided over America, don’t look at where he was born, so if Obama could sail through in the USA, so also an Oke-Ogun man can sail through to become governor of Oyo State in 2019.
“In spite of the fact that Barack Obama was a black man who had several things working against him, he emerged as the first black President of the United States. So, if a black man could become US President, then a candidate from Oke-Ogun can become Oyo State Governor.
“But as I said, he must meet some criteria. He must be someone who is marketable, reliable, educated and knowledgeable.
Additional material and acknowledgements: Daily Post Nigeria
