A socio-political group under the aegis of the Ègbé Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa has declared that the Òkèògùn zone of Oyo State will no longer accept what it described as “political consolation prizes,” insisting instead on producing the next Governor of the state in 2027.
In a strongly worded press release issued on Thursday and signed by its National Chairman, Engr. Dauda Olaifa, the group framed its demand as a historic and collective resolution of the Òkèògùn people, anchored on constitutional principles of fairness, inclusivity and equity.
The statement, titled “Òkèògùn People Declare: No to Party Chairman, No to Deputy Governor — Yes Only to Governorship in 2027,” argued that the agitation was not rooted in regional rivalry but in a long-standing imbalance in the political leadership structure of Oyo State.
The group emphasised that Oyo State is constitutionally and politically structured into five major zones — Ìbádàn (11 Local Government Areas), Òkèògùn (10), Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ (5), Òyọ́ (4), and Ìbàràpá (3) — describing them as legitimate stakeholders in the governance architecture of the state.
According to the statement, “These zones are not mere geographical labels; they are rightful stakeholders in the destiny, leadership, and governance of Oyo State.”
The group defined a stakeholder as any region with a constitutionally protected role in decision-making and access to political authority, maintaining that no zone should be perpetually excluded from the highest executive office.
Citing Section 14(3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which enshrines the federal character principle and promotes inclusiveness in governance, the group contended that equal opportunity to occupy political offices must extend to all regions within the state.
Tracing the state’s political history since 1979, the group alleged a disproportionate concentration of gubernatorial power in Ìbádàn zone. It claimed that out of the last 47 years, Ìbádàn has held the governorship for approximately 39 years, with only Chief Bola Ige and the late Chief Christopher Alao-Akala emerging from outside the zone.
The group further argued that while Òkèògùn has produced deputy governors and occasionally party chairmen, such positions have not translated into what it described as “true political inclusion or equity.” It also noted that other zones, including Ìbàràpá, Òyọ́ and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, have similarly experienced varying degrees of political marginalisation in the distribution of executive leadership.
Despite its firm tone, the organisation clarified that its agitation is not directed against the people of Ìbádàn.
“Ìbádàn is not the enemy,” the statement read, adding that the real challenge lies with “a small circle of self-serving political elites scattered across all zones” who, it alleged, have turned leadership into a transactional enterprise.
The group accused such political actors of perpetuating a system where certain regions are repeatedly offered secondary offices, while the governorship is treated as the exclusive preserve of one zone. Describing these individuals as “political dealers, not leaders,” the statement alleged that they have mortgaged the future of entire regions through compromise and elite bargaining.
Declaring that the agitation has gained momentum since December 2024, the group maintained that the people of Òkèògùn have reached a consensus to reject offers of deputy governorship, party chairmanship or other political appointments in the 2027 electoral cycle.
Its position was summarised in emphatic terms, “No to Party Chairman, No to Deputy Governor, No to any other substitute, Yes only to Governor.” The group stressed that its demand should not be interpreted as a plea for political favour, but as a call for structural justice within the state’s power-sharing arrangement.
“This is not ambition; it is equity. Òkèògùn is not begging. Òkèògùn is claiming its rightful place as a full stakeholder in the leadership of Oyo State,” the statement added.
The declaration is expected to intensify political realignments and zoning debates ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, as stakeholders across the five zones begin consultations over succession dynamics.
While no major political party has officially adopted a zoning formula for the 2027 race, conversations around equitable power rotation have gained traction in recent months.
