Okeogun Zone Demands Governorship in 2027, Says ‘We Are No Longer Dormant’

Political leaders and aspirants from the Okeogun zone of Oyo State on Saturday declared that the zone was ready to produce the next governor of the state in 2027, saying years of political marginalisation must end.

The declaration was made at a summit organised by the Egbe Ajosepo fun Idagbasoke Gbogbo Wa, held at Okeho Town Hall to sensitize the people of Okeogun on the demand of the zone for the governorship seat in the 2027 general elections.

Leaders at the gathering said the time had come for Okeogun to take its rightful place in the state’s political equation.

Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, said the summit came at the right time to speak the truth and tell the public that the people of Okeogun were no longer dormant.

“The people of Okeogun zone are not dormant again, they are already woken up,” he said.

Olaniyan noted that the zone comprises 10 local government areas, yet it had never produced a governor in 28 years of democracy. He contrasted this with Ibadan, which has 11 local governments and has held the governorship for 24 years.

He argued that while Ibadan accounts for 45% of the total votes in the state, the other parts of the state account for 65%. He also pointed out that even within the 45% from Ibadan, the votes include contributions from non-indigenes, including the Igbo, and are not entirely Ibadan votes.

“Why should we be cheated? These are the ones that are not going to leave,” he said.

The former deputy governor drew parallels with national politics, saying that if northerners had refused to relinquish power, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan would not have emerged.

He also asked whether the incumbent president would have become president if others had not been magnanimous.

“When the people don’t speak, other people look at them. But now, we have spoken,” he said.

Olaniyan said it was time for the Okeogun people to have their complaints heard by President Bola Tinubu.

He said he was passionate about the cause because he knew the people were suffering, having worked across all local governments in the zone during his tenure as deputy governor.

“Our people have only been cheated,” he added.

He cited the example of Ogun State, where the Yewa zone, which was also cheated in the past, had not been given the opportunity to present a governor, and asked why Okeogun could not be considered in the same way. He stressed that the zone had candidates of both faiths to offer.

“If they want a Muslim candidate, we have. If they want a Christian, we have,” he said.

He urged the President and party leaders to listen to their voices and expressed optimism that the agitation would yield a positive result.

Also speaking at the summit, another leading aspirant from Okeogun, Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye, announced that he had been cleared to contest for the governorship position under the Peoples Redemption Party in the 2027 general elections.

Representing Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Alhaji Tirimisiyu said lack of unity in the past had been the major problem facing the zone. He urged Okeogun indigenes to remain united in the quest to regain their deprived rights. The youth leader from Ibarapa zone, Comrade Barnabas, also reaffirmed the support of other zones for Okeogun towards realizing its demand.

The Summit witnessed three lectures as delivered in the following order by Engr. Dauda Olaifa Alade (National Chairman), Pastor Favour Adéwọyin (National Secretary) and Mr. Adetayo Adepoju (Principal officer of Independent Electoral Commission (INEC):

1. From Advocacy to Victory: Learning from the Past, Mobilising the Present, and Strategically Positioning Òkèògùn for Governorship Power Rotation in 2027*— Engr. Dauda Olaifa.

2. The Power of Unity: Building One Voice, One Purpose, One Regional Mandate — Pst. Favour Adéwoyin.

3. Political Mobilisation, Voter Education and Grassroots Engagement: The Path to Electoral Success — Mr. Adetayo Adepoju, Principal Admin, INEC, Tede, ATISBO Local Government Area, Ọ̀yọ́ State.

Presenting the Press Release and the Communique of the summit by the Chairman of the association, Engr. Dauda Olaifa Alade and the Special Adviser Mr. Oladejo Ajuwon respectively, decried the persistent marginalisation, exclusion, neglect, and political domination facing Okeogun and other regions including Ibrapa, Oyo, and Ogbomoso.

Participants expressed concern that since 1979, six out of eight governors of Oyo State have emerged from Ibadan, creating a pattern they described as inconsistent with fairness, justice, and balanced representation. The summit rejected suggestions that marginalised regions should “wait” until another Ibadan indigene governs before power rotation begins, calling it unacceptable and insensitive.

The stakeholders resolved that no single region should monopolise the governorship and other strategic offices in a state jointly owned by all constituent zones. They affirmed that the people of Okeogun, Ibarapa, Oyo, and Ogbomoso are equal stakeholders and must not be treated as second-class citizens. The communique also condemned the lopsided distribution of infrastructure, appointments, and development projects, noting that Okeogun’s landmass, mineral deposits, and agricultural strength had not translated into prosperity due to exclusion from decision-making.

The meeting advocated that the 2027 governorship election should mark the start of genuine power rotation in Oyo State, beginning with Okeogun, in the interest of justice, peace, and inclusive governance. It argued that rotational governorship had become a democratic practice in many states and that Oyo should not be an exception. The group cited Section 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which emphasise federal character and balanced representation, and called for their practical implementation in the state.

The communique called on President Bola Tinubu, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to support efforts to restore fairness and inclusivity in Oyo’s political structure. It also urged Governor Seyi Makinde to champion policies that promote unity and a stronger sense of belonging across all regions. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful and constitutional advocacy, stressing that the agitation was driven by the desire for fairness, not division.

To strengthen their position, the group urged Okeogun, Ibrapa, Oyo, and Ogbomoso to unite and collaborate, noting that unity remained the strongest weapon against marginalisation. It cited examples from Ogun, Edo, and Rivers states where deliberate political gestures had accommodated previously marginalised zones, arguing that Oyo should follow suit. The communique concluded that 2027 presents a historic opportunity to correct longstanding imbalance and build a more united and prosperous state.

The document was signed by the group’s National Chairman, Engr. Dauda Olaifa, and National Secretary, Pastor Favour Adewoyin.

Finally, in attendance were leaders of the Okeogun Development Consultative Forum, socio-cultural associations, and representatives of aspirants including Dr. Kazeem Ayandoye of the PRP and Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin of the APC. Former Deputy Governor Engr. Rauf Olaniyan attended in person and declared that it was Okeogun’s turn to produce the next governor.