THE CASE AGAINST POLITICAL MARGINALISATION IN OYO STATE:

 *THE CASE AGAINST POLITICAL MARGINALISATION IN OYO STATE:*

_Why Òkèògùn Must Not Be Trapped Again in the Old Cycle of Denial_

On behalf of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa

Since the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Oyo State has been locked in an orchestrated pattern of political exclusion, a recurring script designed to deny Òkèògùn its rightful opportunity to produce the Governor of Oyo State. Time and again, the region is strategically boxed into a corner by ceding to it the position of Party Chairman or Deputy Governor, a political arrangement that, in practice, has been a subtle instrument of disqualification from the highest seat of governance.

Today, September 10, 2025 we read from Goalpoachernews (online) that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeks to repeat this age-long injustice by zoning the party chairmanship to Òkèògùn ahead of the 2027 elections. Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa assumes this is not true, but if it is true, let it be clearly stated that this decision is unacceptable, unjust, and must be firmly rejected.

*The Politics of Perpetual Denial:*

Across Oyo’s political history, Ibadan has, at various times, produced governors except for once that Ogbomoso produced by providence. Òkèògùn, Oyo and Ìbàràpá have not produced. Òkèògùn, despite being the food basket of the state, the custodian of cultural richness, and the land of tested technocrats, has been sidelined. The excuse has always been cleverly disguised: “Give Òkèògùn the party chairman or deputy governor.” But everyone understands the real meaning — a calculated strategy to prevent Òkèògùn from aspiring to, or attaining, the governorship.

This unjust tradition is nothing short of political servitude. It is a script designed to keep Òkèògùn perpetually as kingmakers, never kings; always followers, never leaders.

*Equity, Justice, and the Oyo 2027 Mandate:*

The essence of democracy is fairness, inclusivity, and rotation of power for balance and harmony. If Oyo State truly stands for justice, then the 2027 governorship must be allowed to move out of Ibadan to other region beginning with Òkèògùn. Any attempt to repeat the old marginalisation under the guise of zoning the chairmanship or deputy governor is a direct assault on democracy and an insult to the collective aspirations of millions of Òkèògùn sons and daughters.

Equity demands that Òkèògùn be given a fair chance. Justice demands that the political monopoly of one zone must end. The future of Oyo State requires that the governorship seat be opened to the regions that have waited patiently, contributed immensely, and sacrificed consistently for the progress of the state.

*A Call to Action:*

Therefore, if it true that the PDP is planning to play the old game, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, an advocacy group dedicated to the enthronement of justice, balance, and genuine development, rejects in totality the PDP’s decision to cede its chairmanship to Òkèògùn. We see it for what it is — an age-long strategy of exclusion. We will not fold our arms while the same injustice is rehearsed and repeated in 2027.

We call on all stakeholders, political leaders, elders, youths, and every citizen who believes in fairness, to stand with Òkèògùn. Let us rise together and insist that 2027 will not be business as usual. Let Òkèògùn breathe. Let Òkèògùn lead.

*Conclusion:*

History is watching. Oyo State cannot continue to thrive on injustice and exclusion. Òkèògùn’s time has come, and no political manoeuvre should be allowed to subvert it again. If the state must progress in unity, then equity must prevail. The governorship of Oyo in 2027 is not a favour to Òkèògùn; rather, it is a right long denied, and justice long delayed.

Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa stands firm: Òkèògùn must not be sacrificed again on the altar of political convenience. The future of Oyo State depends on fairness, and fairness demands that 2027 is the turn of Òkèògùn.

Pst. Favour Adéwọyin, 

National Secretary, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa.