2027: Oke-Ogun group rejects Ibadan dominance, seeks power shift

A socio-political organisation, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹ̀síwájú Gbogbo Wa, has called for a political power shift in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing what it described as decades of marginalisation and political domination by the Ibadan zone.

The group made the demand during a summit and press briefing held on Saturday at the Okeho Town Hall in Kajola Local Government Area of the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the organisation appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to support what it termed a fair and inclusive political arrangement in Oyo State.

The communiqué, jointly signed by the National Chairman of the group, Engr. Dauda Olaifa, and the National Secretary, Pastor Favour Adewoyin, stated that the people of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones had remained politically disadvantaged despite their contributions to the development and economy of the state.

According to the group, six out of the eight governors who have governed Oyo State since 1979 emerged from Ibadan, a development it said had entrenched political imbalance and dominance inconsistent with the principles of fairness, justice and equitable representation.

The stakeholders also faulted recent comments suggesting that the marginalised zones should continue to wait until another Ibadan indigene completes a tenure before power rotation could begin.

Describing such a proposition as “insensitive, politically unfair and morally indefensible”, the communiqué stated that no single region should continue to monopolise governorship power and other strategic political offices in a state jointly owned by all constituent regions.

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“The people of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and Ogbomoso are equal stakeholders in the affairs of Oyo State and must not be treated as second-class citizens,” the communiqué read.

Participants at the summit further condemned what they described as lopsided distribution of infrastructure, political appointments, employment opportunities and developmental projects across the state.

They argued that despite the vast agricultural potential, mineral resources and expansive landmass of Oke-Ogun, the region continued to suffer from poverty, poor infrastructure and underdevelopment due to inadequate political representation and exclusion from strategic decision-making.

Speaking during the briefing, the National Chairman of the group, Olaifa, said the agitation was not driven by hostility toward any region but by the desire for justice, fairness and equal opportunity.

“This is not about revenge or hostility. It is about justice, equality, inclusion and collective progress. No region should permanently dominate others in a state jointly owned by all,” he said.

The stakeholders maintained that the 2027 governorship election presents a historic opportunity to address longstanding political imbalance and establish genuine power rotation in Oyo State, beginning with the Oke-Ogun region.

They noted that rotational leadership had become an accepted democratic practice in several states across the country and insisted that Oyo State should not remain an exception.

The communiqué also referenced Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for federal character and balanced representation, urging political leaders to ensure practical implementation of the constitutional principles in governance.

The group called on Governor Makinde to champion policies and political actions capable of promoting unity, inclusiveness and a stronger sense of belonging among all regions of the state.

It also appealed to President Tinubu and national political leaders to support efforts aimed at correcting what it described as longstanding political imbalance in Oyo State.

The summit reaffirmed the group’s commitment to peaceful, constitutional and democratic advocacy, stressing that the agitation for power rotation should not be viewed as divisive or hostile.

Participants further urged people from Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and Ogbomoso zones to strengthen unity and strategic cooperation in pursuit of their collective political aspirations and developmental interests.

Among dignitaries present at the summit were the National Secretary of the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum, Dr. Bimpe Aderounmu; Chairman of Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkèhò, Dr. Kasali Alarape Salau; leaders of the Oke-Ogun Progressive Foundation; representatives of governorship aspirants, including Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin and Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye; as well as former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan.