By Adeyinka Adeniran
Following the recent visit of a leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli to the Saki area of the state in pursuit of his political ambition, a group advocating power rotation to the Oke Ogun zone, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa has reiterated its stand on call for power shift to the zone.
In a statement issued by Dauda Olaifa and Pastor Favour Adéwọyin, the National Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group which acknowledged that although Alli is qualified to seek the position, it faulted his claim that an Oke -Ogun governorship would only materialise after his own tenure.
The statement reads in part, “The distinguished Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, an Ìbádàn-born High Chief representing Oyo South Senatorial District — comprising six Local Government Areas in Ibadan and three in Ibarapa — recently visited Saki, the administrative headquarters of Saki West Local Government, alongside his entourage.
“The purpose of the visit was clear: to inform, sensitise, and canvass support from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and, by extension, the entire Òkèògùn region, regarding his intention to contest the Governorship of Ọ̀yọ́ State in 2027. He further disclosed that his formal declaration would follow in the days ahead.
“A defining moment of the engagement was Senator Alli’s assertion that all stakeholders — including revered Yorùbá monarchs — acknowledge that “Gómìnà Ọ̀yọ́ Òkèògùn ló kàn” (it is the turn of Òkèògùn to produce the Governor), but that such a turn, according to him, would only materialise after his own tenure.
“He further suggested that only after his administration would a roundtable conference be convened to deliberate on power rotation across the state’s regions. This position, though clearly stated, was met with visible unease, as the disposition of the Òkèògùn audience reflected deep dissatisfaction.
“Had there been an opportunity for engagement, the leadership of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, speaking for the sons and daughters of Òkèògùn, would have sought clarifications on critical historical and moral grounds: Where was this call for a roundtable when Ìbádàn agitated for power during the Second Republic under Bola Ige?
“Was there consultation before Ìbádàn asserted its dominance in the emergence of Victor Omololu Olunloyo? Why must dialogue now precede justice when it concerns Òkèògùn — a region championing fairness, equity, and inclusivity for all marginalised zones, including Ìbàràpá, Ọ̀yọ́, Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́, and even the less-advantaged areas within Ìbádàn itself?
“We would have respectfully reminded the visiting Senator that the people of Òkèògùn stood firmly in solidarity with Ìbádàn during the historic “ọmọ wa ni ẹ́ jẹ́ ó ṣe é” movement — a defining political moment that paved the way for the emergence of Chief Victor Omololu Olunloyo as Executive Governor of the old Ọ̀yọ́ State — thereby underscoring our long-standing commitment to fairness, collective progress, and shared political destiny.”
The group also faulted Alli’s reference to a meeting called by the wife of a former governor, Dr Florence Ajimobi, noting that such a meeting fals within the prerogative of the party’s Chairman.
“Furthermore, equally contentious was Senator Alli’s reference to the April 6, 2026 meeting convened in Ikoyi, Lagos, by Florence Ajimobi.
“The people of Òkèògùn unequivocally reject the legitimacy of that gathering on several grounds. First, such a stakeholders’ meeting falls within the prerogative of the party chairman. Second, the attendance was glaringly lopsided: Ìbádàn had overwhelming representation, while Òkèògùn, Ìbàràpá, Ọ̀yọ́, and Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ were grossly underrepresented.
“Third, key stakeholders and aspirants from other regions were conspicuously excluded, raising fundamental questions about fairness, representation, and intent. In such a skewed arrangement, what would have been the outcome of any democratic vote?
“Despite this, Òkèògùn takes pride in the courage displayed by Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, who stood resolutely to affirm that the marginalised regions must no longer be treated as second-class stakeholders in their own state. His boldness reflects the spirit and resolve of the Òkèògùn people.”
The group insisted that there are eminently qualified aspirants in Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa and Oyo, noting that, should Senator Alli emerge as governor, he would become the seventh Governor from Ibadan and the sixth from Oyo South Senatorial District since 1983, further deepening a pattern of regional dominance.
The group also condemned an attack on one of its members who were on a peaceful protest during the visit.
“At the close of the meeting, members of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa staged a peaceful demonstration along the road leading to Saki East Local Government, displaying banners that unequivocally declared their stance: Òkèògùn will support only its own in the 2027 governorship race.
“Unfortunately, this peaceful expression was met with hostility, as supporters of Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun reportedly attacked members of the group in his presence. This development is deeply regrettable and stands condemned, as the advocacy was lawful, peaceful, and within democratic rights.
“In conclusion, our position remains unwavering. We shall continue to engage constructively, peacefully, and intelligently in advocating for a new political order in Ọ̀yọ́ State — one anchored on fairness, justice, equity, equality, and inclusivity.
“The time has come for a departure from entrenched patterns of dominance toward a system where every region and every citizen has a genuine opportunity to aspire, to participate, and to lead”, the group added.
