No fewer than (9) aspirants from various political parties in Oyo State who are of Oke-Ogun (one of the five political zones in the state) extraction have indicated interests to succeed the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2019, DAILY POST has authoritatively gathered.
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 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 Micheal Koleosho.
Investigations by DAILY POST as at the last count revealed 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 Adekambi and former Commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu (Atisbo LG).
DAILY POST gathered that the zone since inception of the current forth republic in 1999 had been nursing the ambition but the move became glaring in 2011 when the current Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu contested under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) against Ajimobi of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Since then, the zone had been canvassing for the shifting of power 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 Micheal 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 last Friday in Ibadan, the state capital.
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.
Ajuwon while addressing journalists at a press conference under 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, 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, among which are 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 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 OkeOgun 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 sector.”
He said the region will not only relying on its strength only, but 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 ourself 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”