A Non-political and non-religious group, the Bridge Builders (BB) in conjunction with the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum has admonished the people of the state, and, indeed, political parties in the state to present gubernatorial candidates from the zone as their governorship candidates in the spirit of justice, fairness and transparency since the creation of the state.
The group made this known in a statement signed and issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by its Project Driver, Mr Tajudeen Allan Poko.
Poko, in the statement, rued that since over 42 years of its creation, an indigenous people of Oke-Ogun have never had the opportunity to rule Oyo state.
Though, he said no one could be blamed for this reason, but said: “the demographic spread of the occupants of the office of Governor in the state during the democratic period has only revolved around the indigenous people of Ibadan and Ogbomoso origins.”
The group further “averred that in the spirit of fairness and in line with democratic norms, Oke-Ogun zone with 10 Local Government areas also qualifies to present a candidate to occupy the exalted position in the state come 2019.”
The BB maintained that indigenous people of Oke-Ogun as a zone have demonstrated the virtues of loyalty, integrity, dedication and transparent in service not only to the state but the country as a whole over the years.
“We have been patient but we are deeply convinced that it is now our turn to lead and serve the state. We have many qualified aspirants of good standing, vast experience with sound track record of excellent performances in both their private and public lives.
The group, therefore, called for the cooperation and support of all other zones in the state, stressing that “we need the support of other areas and as compatriots in Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibarapaland.”
The group then declared that it is ready to “support wholeheartedly any political party that presents candidate from Oke-Ogun zone as its Governorship Candidate in 2019. The quest for the emergence of an indigenous people of Oke-Ogun to lead the state is not designed to gain unnecessary popularity and not party inclined or to promote godfatherism, but we are only clamouring for justice, fairness and equity. It is just that Oke-Ogun should be allowed to produce the next Governor of our dear state, Oyo in 2019 and beyond.”
