An Ibadan-born political analyst and Second Republic politician, Elder Jide Ajao yesterday advocated that the next governor of the state after incumbent Abiola Ajimobi should come from the Oyo Central Senatorial district.
Speaking with reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the septugenarian appealed to all aspirants from both Oyo South and Oyo North districts to give room for justice, equity and fair play in choosing the next governor after the incumbent Governor’s tenure in 2019.
He stressed that both senatorial districts have had their fair share of Agodi Government house, leaving Oyo Central with its 11 local governments at the receiving end.
Ajao maintained that it is time for Oyo central to nominate one of the four leading aspirants jostling for the governorship from the senatorial district as Ajimobi’s successor.
He mentioned an ex-commissioner in the state who is of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde; a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart, Engr. Femi Babalola; a serving member of the House of Representatives, Temitope Olatoye Sugar and a former Health Commissioner, Dr. Isaac Babalola Owolabi as potential successors for the current governor.
He said: “For instance, a number of them from Oyo Central are professionals in politics desirous of taking the state to the next level. They are credible without any blemish and are the kind of the people we should entrust the state into their care and not the arrogant ones aspiring to lead us after Ajimobi.”
He spoke further: “Is Ibadan the only town in the state? We have had our fair share. Let Oyo Alaafin also produce the next Governor. Without Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa or Oke Ogun, we can’t lay claim to Oyo state. Ibadan has had our fair share of the governance producing three governors since 1999 with the the exception of Alao-Akala from Oyo North.”
Ajao, who coordinates Oyo State Reality Forum, also added that Oke Ogun should forget 2019 because they are enjoying the ministerial slot in the present administration and besides, “Alao Akala had governed the state from their Oyo North region hence the need to allow Oyo Central occupy the seat come 2019 because what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. “
