As the 2027 political horizon begins to take shape, an advocacy movement, Egbe Ajosepo Fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to zone their 2027 governorship tickets exclusively to the Oke-Ogun region.
This was as the group, in a charged press briefing held in Ibadan on Tuesday, emphasised that the time for “consolation prizes” is over.
The group, led by its National Chairman Engr. Dauda Olaifa and National Secretary Pst. Favour Adewoyin, issued a stern rejection of party chairmanship offers. They described such appointments as a calculated strategy to keep the region away from the Agodi Government House.
In a statement read by Chief Muda Ogunsola, the movement declared: “Our position is clear: No to Deputy Governorship, no to Party Chairmanship. Yes to the Governorship of Oyo State in 2027. Once a lesser political office is zoned to a particular region, the prospects of that same region subsequently producing the Governor become significantly diminished — if not completely foreclosed.”
The advocacy group argued that since the return to democracy in 1999, Oke-Ogun has been systematically sidelined from the executive’s top seat, despite producing five deputy governors and numerous party chairmen. They framed their demand not as a protest, but as a quest for equity.
“What we want is a sense of belonging. We seek fairness and we seek justice. It is good to say that this is not rebellion, it is reason; it is not agitation, it is advocacy; and, it is not hostility, it is history demanding correction.”
Rejecting “Gatekeepers,” the group disclaimed certain prominent figures from Oke-Ogun, asserting they lack the mandate to negotiate away the governorship for personal gains.
Meanwhile, in a strategic move, the group appealed directly to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and other Ibadan stakeholders to reciprocate the loyalty Oke-Ogun has shown to Ibadan-born governors in the past.
The movement anchored its agitation on the Federal Character principle of the 1999 Constitution, seeking support from Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan zones.
Oke-Ogun Ready for Governance
Addressing concerns regarding the region’s capacity to lead, the group emphasized that they are not coming to the table empty-handed. They revealed they have already identified a pool of highly qualified candidates.
“We have competent hands and resources to lead the state,” the spokesperson noted; adding that “We have interviewed about seven people who have served at both local and international capacity and they are all available.”
As the race for 2027 heats up, this declaration sets the stage for a high-stakes negotiation between the traditional power blocs of Ibadan and the rising determination of the Oke-Ogun frontier.
