The world keep changing and the people therein continue to follow the trend in almost all the spheres of life including politics.
Many people always admires eagles because of its dynamic flying sense but many do not understand the dynamic reasoning why it flied in such height.
The above two analogies speaks about following trend and updates in any given society or community. Even the earth never stay in one spot as we were made to understand, it keeps rotating, that’s why we have morning, afternoon and evening.
Coming down to the main issue which is modern day politics, the term “Equity, Fairness and Justice” continue to resonate and getting momentum day by day.
Talking about rotational or power shift from one zone, area or region is no longer new in our national polity. We began the current dispensation in 1999 with a Southern President, in 2007, it moves to North, in 2009, it was back to South because of the death of former President Umar Musa Yar’dua. In 2015, it went back to North and down the line, now in 2023, it’s back to the South, with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu led government.
Back to the Southwest region, from Ogun to Osun, to Ekiti, to Lagos, to Ondo, it’s been from one part of the zones across the states to Other.
For example, in Osun, former Governor Bisi Akande hails from Ila Orangun, he handed the reins of government to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, from Okuku, then to Rauf Aregbesola, from Ilesha. Former Governor Aregbesola gave back power to an Iragbiji man, Gboyega Oyetola and now Ademola Adeleke from Ede is holding forth. Osogbo which is the state capital of Osun has never for one day claimed superiority over other lesser towns.
In Ekiti, there had been Segun Oni from Oye Ekiti, Ayo Fayose from Ikole Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi from Isan Ekiti and now Abiodun Oyebanji from Ikogosi Ekiti. No one from Ado Ekiti has claimed superiority over others.
In Ondo, the current Governor , Lucky Aiyedatiwa from Ilaje Odo succeeded his Boss, Rotimi Akeredolu who hailed from Owo, while Akeredolu succeeded Segun Mimiko from Ondo. No one has ever claimed superiority. There are many instances, but for the availability of space.
Oyo State who has been regarded as the capital city of Southwest is really not following the trend or maybe pretending not to know the updates as far as power shifts and rotational Governor is concerned.
From 1999 to date, there has only been one non Ibadan to had ever emerged as Governor of the state. Late Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala became Governor by divine intervention and after him, no non Ibadan has achieved that feat. The question is when will Ibadan allowed others to have the taste of government house, Agodi, or maybe we should ask, when will other zones come together to take what belongs to all of them?
2027 is getting close and political leaders and gladiators in Oyo State must begin to reflect on the succession plan based on the principles of fairness, justice, and equity.
Over the years, the aspiration of the people of Oyo Federal Constituency to occupy the exalted position has always been met with opposition for no serious reasons.
In the last few months now, the for rotational or power shift has assumed a louder resonance among the power elite who feel concerned about the perceived marginalization of other zones in the state.
At the national and sub-national levels, the power rotation convention is a necessary lubricant that oils the principles of equity, fairness and justice. To that extent, it is lawful and consistent with the Constitution to listen to the agitation of the people of Oyo Federal Constituency to produce the next governor of Oyo State .
Surprisingly, some are often too quick to arrogate the monopoly of the best candidates to a particular section of the state. That is a fallacy of over-generalization which can only be found useful for the purposes of academic exercise. When put into a thorough debate, it will fall flat in the face of a superior argument. The truth is that there is no section of the state where we cannot find ‘the best person’ with the requisite competence, capacity, and character to be the governor. We must, therefore, purge ourselves of such an unfounded ethnocentric prejudice and begin to give serious consideration to the rightful agitation of the people.
It is also important for the people of Oyo Federal Constituency if they want to be the next occupier of Agodi government house to understand that their desire can only be achieved through adequate consultation, setting achievable internal agenda, mustering adequate financial strength, building on past experience, putting a competent candidate forward, be prepared to make the required sacrifice and creating necessary alignments and cooperation beyond South West Senatorial District”, while prospective aspirants must not allow their selfish interests to override the collective interest of all.
Many believed 2027 is still a long time away. But the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. To actualise the ambition of producing the next governor, the time to act is now. Time is of the essence.
Akinola Emmanuel writes from Bodija Estate, Ibadan.
