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A leading socio-political advocacy organisation in Ọ̀yọ́ State, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, has warned political parties against excluding the Òkèògùn region from the 2027 governorship equation, declaring that the zone would not support any party that refuses to uphold fairness, justice, and equity in its political calculations.
The association made this known in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, political parties, delegates, and major stakeholders across Ọ̀yọ́ State.
In the letter signed by the association’s National Chairman, Engr. Dauda Olaifa Alade, National Secretary, Pastor Favour Adéwọyin, and Public Relations Officer, Dr. John Fatunbi, the organisation decried what it described as the prolonged political marginalisation and neglect of the Òkèògùn region despite its unwavering loyalty and significant electoral contributions over the years.
According to the association, the people of Òkèògùn have continually played strategic roles in mobilising support for political parties, strengthening grassroots structures, and contributing to electoral victories across the state, yet have repeatedly been overlooked whenever issues concerning governorship succession and equitable power distribution emerge.
The association stated that the time had come for the political leadership of the state to embrace inclusiveness, justice, and fairness, insisting that the continued exclusion of the region from the governorship arrangement was no longer acceptable.
It maintained that any political party unwilling to offer sincere and fair consideration to qualified governorship aspirants from Òkèògùn should not expect the region’s collective votes and political backing in the 2027 election.
The association also expressed concern over alleged secret political manoeuvres by certain vested interests aimed at frustrating credible aspirants from the region within different political parties.
Describing such moves as harmful to democratic values and peaceful political coexistence, the association warned that attempts to suppress the legitimate aspirations of Òkèògùn could further deepen feelings of exclusion and political injustice within the state.
While reiterating that its agitation was not targeted at any ethnic or regional bloc, the organisation stressed that genuine unity and cooperation could only flourish where fairness, equity, and equal political opportunity are guaranteed for all sections of the state.
The association further noted that rotational leadership and equitable power-sharing had become accepted democratic practices in many states across the federation and argued that its demand was consistent with the spirit of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which advocates inclusive governance and balanced representation.
It cautioned against what it described as the unhealthy tradition where one section of the state continues to dominate political power while other regions remain perpetually marginalised despite decades of loyalty, sacrifice, and contribution to the development of Ọ̀yọ́ State.
Rejecting token political gestures and symbolic appointments, the association insisted that true political partnership must be rooted in sincerity, fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect rather than political appeasement.
The association added that traditional rulers, youths, market women, students, professionals, farmers, transport workers, artisans, and community stakeholders across Òkèògùn were becoming increasingly united in the struggle to secure political recognition, dignity, and justice for the region.
It, therefore, appealed to political parties and stakeholders in Ọ̀yọ́ State to demonstrate sincerity of purpose by giving Òkèògùn the recognition and inclusion it deserves to promote peace, political stability, and enduring unity ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
