Why are Ijebus entitled to 2019 governorship ticket in Ogun

By Prince Ibraheem Adegbokiki PIA

The race to Oke mosan governorship in 2019 is becoming interesting everyday, more contenders in the ruling political party in the state, All Progressives congress (APC), join the foray, as well as from the main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political parties are not standing akinbow.

Among the aspirants are the Lagos West Senator, Adeola Olamilekan Yayi, a three termed federal house of representatives member, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, current House of representatives member representing Ipokia and Yewa South, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, Remo central House of representatives member, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Kaduna Governor's political Associate, Mr. Jimi Lawal, Chief of staff to Governor Amosun, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Ikenne- born politician, Arch. Owodunni Opayemi, Speaker of Ogun state House of assembly, Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunbi, Commissioner for forestry, Kola Lawal Moboluwaduro, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, the new entrant from Ilaro, Prince Tella, Commissioner for commerce and industry, Bimbo Ashiru, Senator representing Ogun east senatorial district, Senator Buruji Kashamu, his counter-part from Ogun west, Senator Gbolahan Dada, Former Speaker, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, former Secretary to the state government, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, the former Special adviser to Governor Amosun and Green party of Nigeria's governorship aspirant, Otunba Yomi Odunowo and others.

Out of all the aspirants, Some aspirants belong to two or more Local government areas, even other senatorial districts. Mr. Jimi Lawal's father is from Ijebu Ode while his mother is from Ketu, Oja Odan in Yewa north Local government. Hon. Ladi Adebutu also belonged to Remo North and Odogbolu Local government. Senator Adeola Olamilekan also belonged to Kemta in Abeokuta north and Isaga Pahayi in Ilaro, Yewa South Local government. The former Secretary to Ogun State government, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola also belong to Oke Ona in Abeokuta north and Yewa North local government.

From the political calculations, Ijebu man was the governor between 1978 to 1983, When Chief Bisi Onabanjo emerged through Unity party of Nigeria (UPN).
An Egba man, Chief Olusegun Osoba was also the governor from January 1992 until November 1993 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His tenure was truncated by the military coup de tat on the 17th of November, 1993.
Osoba was elected as governor again with the Alliance for Democracy party (AD), he held rhe office between May 1999 and May 2003.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was elected as the governor between 2003 to 2007, and 2007 to 2011 was Remo man from Isote ward in Sagamu Local government. Senator Ibikunle Amosun emerged as the governor from Egba and he was elected for two term.

While both Onabanjo and Daniel were from Ogun east senatorial district, Amosun and Osoba are from Ogun central. Nobody has ever emerged as the governor from Ogun west senatorial district.

Rotationally, Ijebu (Onabanjo), then Egba (Osoba), Remo (Daniel) and the position supposed to go to Yewa (Olurin or Isiaka) but the disagreements among Yewa Aworis and politicians made Amosun the benefiary in 2011. Amosun is presently using Yewa slot, if we should go by the rotation or zoning arrangement. By 2019, Ijebu man supposed to emerge as the next governor, if Yewa man had won in 2011. Central (Osoba), East (Daniel) and West (2011 May be Olurin or Isiaka). Consequently, the Ogun east politicians are entitled in contesting for the governor in 2019.

This is the reason good politician like the former governor, Olusegun Osoba is being careful in banning Ogun east contenders from contesting. Political parties can only negotiate and persuade Ijebu politicians to allow Yewa Aworis to produce the next governor. No political party sells governorship nomination forms in Ogun state, all aspirants would go to Abuja at their party secretariats to purchase the form. Any attempt to stop any aspirant from buying the nomination form could lead to legal tussle and political imbroglio.

Ipso facto if we should go by the equity and Justice, all hands should be on deck for Ogun west, the Yewa Aworis people in the search for a credible candidate for the senatorial district to produce the next governor for Ogun state.

Be as it may, the main deciders of the next election are the electorates, they are more than 90%, while the politicians are not up to 10%.