Egbé Àjosepò Fún Itesiwájú Gbogbo Wa, a group committed to promoting inclusive governance and equal representation in Oyo State, has reaffirmed its readiness for a power shift and rotational governorship in the state. The group’s chairman, Engineer Dauda Olaifa, made this declaration at a press conference held today in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to Olaifa, the group’s vision is to facilitate the emergence of an indigene of Oke-ogun to be the next Governor of Oyo State, irrespective of religious affiliation, place of origin, political allegiance, and gender. The group has identified the need for a power shift in Oyo State, citing the dominance of one region in producing the state’s governors since 1999.
The list of past governors, including Chief Lamidi Adesina, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, Chief Abiola Ajimobi, and Engr. Seyi Makinde, all from Ibadan, except for Chief Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso, illustrates the marginalization of other regions.
Egbé Ajosepő Fün Itęsiwajú Gbogbo Wa has adopted the slogan “O tó gé, awa ló kán” (It’s time for a change, our turn has come) to emphasize its commitment to equality, justice, equity, fairness, and mutual respect. The group with Oke Ogun indigenes as active stakeholders is having Ibarapa Concerned Indigenes as fellow compatriots in the struggle while working towards bringing Oyo and Ogbomoso zones into the fold.
The group’s chairman emphasized that their movement is not biased towards or against any particular political party, religion, gender, or town, and that they will avoid financial inducements from politicians and persons with vested interests. Instead, their funding will come mainly from voluntary contributions from members. He added that, with the adoption of rotational governorship among the zones, after Ìbádàn, it should be the turn of Oke-ogun to produce the governor, followed by other zones.
Engr. Olaifa therefore urged the people of Oyo State, particularly those from marginalized regions, to unite and use their ballots to effect change when the time is ripe.
