Ogun State @49: A case for power shift and justice in 2027

By Raheem Ajayi

Ogun State has lived up to the dreams of its founding fathers as the gateway to the nation’s political and socio-economic prosperity 49 years after its creation in February 1976. The state has no doubt achieved significant feats in its almost five decades of existence. Notwithstanding the many successes recorded by the state, it is, however, unfortunate that a major injustice has been allowed to persist for too long a period. It is rather unthinkable that one of the three senatorial districts has been unfairly excluded from political leadership in a manner that betrays the ideals of inclusive political participation, equity, fairness and natural justice. After almost five decades of its existence, Ogun West Senatorial District has yet to produce a governor.

It is rather inexcusable that Ogun West, which comprises the Yewa-Awori axis, which contributes not less than 70 per cent of the internally generated revenue of the state has not produced a governor in contrast to the other two senatorial districts, Ogun Central and Ogun East that have produced governors at different times. While Ogun Central has produced two governors who have served 14 years in office, Ogun East has produced three governors who would have served a total of 20 years in office at the expiration of the second term of the incumbent in 2027.  Ogun East has produced Chief Bisi Onabanjo (1979 and 1983); Otunba Gbenga Daniel (2003 and 2007) and the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun since 2019. Ogun Central on the other hand has produced Aremo Olusegun Osoba (1992 and 1999) as well as Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2011 and 2015).

There is no denying that Ogun State has recorded many firsts in human endeavours notably in the political and economic spheres of Nigeria. Ogun State is the first to produce both a military head of state and civilian president as well as the first and only interim president. The state also prides itself as a champion of democracy on account of many of her indigenes who fought for independence, self-determination and democracy.  Ogun State is also known to be a pathfinder and leader in education, arts, culture, sports, etc. For instance, the country’s first accountant was from Ogun State.

After independence and a brief period of democracy, which was truncated by many years of military rule, the agitation for a return to democracy featured several Ogun State indigenes as architects and voices.  Some of us were at the barricade in the darkest days of the military autocracy, fighting for the return of democracy even as undergraduates. I led many protests as the president of the Students’ Union of the University of Agriculture Abeokuta, now the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and later when I was elected secretary-general of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone D. We did not just win the struggle for democracy and rule of law but also power shift at the national level. This is precisely why the injustice that has persisted in Ogun State is deemed unthinkable. It should be strange that the principle of fairness and equity has taken flight in a state that produced Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, whose election as president was criminally annulled in 1993; leading to the historic struggle that birthed the restoration of civil rule in 1999. It is unacceptable that those who have established the reputation of demanding equity and justice at the national level should suddenly lose their voices while the injustice to Ogun West persists.

We are aware that power is not served a la carte and this is precisely why concerted efforts have been made in the past to ensure that a governor emerged from Ogun West.  I made personal sacrifices along with many proud Yewa-Awori sons and daughters in 2011, 2015, 2019 and lately, 2023 to support a number of our brothers from Ogun West who were courageous enough to contest for governor. We are now more than prepared, united to present only one candidate that would not only be acceptable to most of us in Ogun West but also across Ogun State in general. It is believed that people who are lovers of democracy and fairness as well as equity even from Ogun Central and Ogun East Senatorial Districts would join forces to ensure that a candidate from Ogun West emerges in 2027.

The call for an Ogun West extraction as the governor of the state actually reflects broader themes of inclusion, equity and the desire for tailored governance that represents our unity in diversity. Electing someone from Ogun West as governor would, no doubt, mitigate regional tension and foster a sense of belonging, which is beneficial for attracting investment and promoting sustainable development in Ogun State.  Ogun West people have always given a good account of ourselves with respect to any responsibility we are saddled with, both nationally and internationally. Our representatives have done well to demonstrate our readiness for the coveted seat of the State through remarkable performances.

The unprecedented transformation of Ogun West Senatorial in the last one and a half years through responsive and uncommon representation, especially by Senator Solomon Adeola, is a testament to how prepared we are to assume the leadership of Ogun State. All the five local governments of Yewa-Awori land; Ado-Odo/Ota, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Yewa North and Yewa South have benefited from effective representation. Ogun West has an array of qualified individuals to choose from in Yewa-Awori land that will take Ogun State to the next level as governor in 2027. We have resolved to present only the best among us because Ogun West does not lack a credible candidate to lead Ogun State.  A good number of indigenes of Ogun West including serving Senator Solomon Adeola have, over the years, demonstrated quality leadership and, therefore, are more than equipped to promote equitable growth, fairness and beneficial governance as governor of Ogun State.

• Ajayi writes from Imashayi in Yewa North of Ogun State via [email protected]