Ogun state, since inception, forty-three (43) years ago(February 3,1976), to date, has been ruled by five (5) democratically elected governors. Others have been military administrators and governors. Out of these five executive governors, two governors have emerged from Ogun Central Senatorial District. They are:
(1) Chief Olusegun Osoba.: 1992-1993, 1999-2003 (5 years).
(2) Senator Ibikunle Amosun: 2011 -2019 (8 years)
The other three (3) governors that have emerged from Ogun East Senatorial District include:
(1) Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo: 1979-1983 (4 years)
(2) Otunba Justus Oluwagbemiga Daniel: 2003- 2011 (8 years)
(3) Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun: 2019-2023 (4 years)
Out of the twenty-eight or twenty-nine (28/29) years of democratic rule in the gateway state, the governorship seat has been occupied in rotation between the Ogun East and Ogun Central Senatorial Districts. Ogun West Senatorial District has up to date not produced any governor.
The highest position ever enjoyed under democracy by the Ogun West Senatorial District is the office of the deputy governor; an office with no executive/administrative nor political powers to decide on any matter except otherwise directed. Little wonder, the eight years of Alhaja Salimot Badru, a Deputy Governor of Ogun State between 2003 and 2011 did not attract any meaningful democratic dividend to Yewa/Awori sector of the state.
Similarly, the four years tenure of Engineer Naimot Salako is ending in the next two months with no concrete evidences of delivery of any of the campaign promises to Ogun West Senatorial District. Our mothers and distinguished personalities need no blame as the 1999 Constitution has ‘crippled' their privileged position.
Forty-three (43) years down the line, what Ogun West Senatorial District could boast of apart from the position of deputy governor are the office of the secretary to the state governor, speaker of the state legislature, a few state commissioners and board members. All these positions put together cannot equate the exalted position of a state governor. The chief executive officer, (by the Nigeria style of democracy) that has the powers to dictate where to locate any facility or infrastructure. He determines what to do in any geographical location of the state. Little wonder, in spite of its huge population, human capacity and voting strength, Ogun West Senatorial District is still far behind the other two Senatorial Districts
Ogun West Senatorial District enviable position as the industrial hub of the state since inception (Industries and factories located in Ota, Igbesa and Agbara) where huge and numerous resources which the state use to develop other senatorial districts is not in contention. That notwithstanding, Ogun West Senatorial District is still crawling and begging for infrastructural development in all ramifications. Majority of its roads are in bad shape; they are not motorable. All infrastructure are decaying and in dilapidating condition. Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia has been abandoned. All blocks of classrooms and other infrastructure are gradually going down with the premises filled with overgrown weeds.
The Gateway international Stadium, Ilaro is no longer a pride of the state. The International Market located at owode is a shadow of itself. Whereas all Government infrastructure which include schools, roads, stadiums in other two Senatorial Districts are witnessing renewal, refurbishment and rebranding. This is quite unfortunate in a state of collective commonwealth where only two Senatorial Districts are witnessing tremendous development at the expense of Ogun West Senatorial District. While Ogun West Senatorial District cannot boast of any University, Polytechnic or College of Education within its domain, the other two Senatorial Districts and especially Ogun East are enjoying the boom with one Local Government accommodating a State University and a College of Education.
Reasons for this disparity in not farfetched. While the other two Senatorial Districts have been on top of the game, Ogun West Senatorial District is yet to find its bearing. It is being rumoured that Ogun Central Senatorial District is warming up to take over the mantle of leadership from Prince Dapo Abiodun after his tenure expires in 2027 if he is re-elected in 2023.
If this trend continues, what then is the fate of Ogun Westerners? When will the expected divided of democracy in truth and spirit reach Ogun West Senatorial District? When will Yewa/Awori people have a sense of belonging or do we remain silent in abject poverty, perpetual degradation and insatiable want in the midst of plenty?
This is the time our leaders, elders, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and political giants of Yewa/Awori sector rise to the occasion. The likes of Distinguished Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa Senator Ayodeji Otegbola, Senator Kola Bajomo and Senator Tolu Odebiyi including Hon. Representative Kolawole Mobolorunduro and the newly elected distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan (YAYI), Hon. Isiaka Abiodun Akinlade and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) are hereby called upon to bail out Ogun West Senatorial District from this embarrassment
Our revered paramount ruler of Yewaland and Yewa Traditional Council including the Olota of Ota and all Monarchs in Awori land should equally rise up to the occasion. The time is now to rally round the only governorship candidate from Ogun West and ensure his victory at the March 11th, 2023 governorship polls in Ogun State, Political Party notwithstanding, Barrister Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) is a lawyer by profession and a Group Managing Director of Regency Alliance Insurance Plc. He is a game changer, a philanthropist, transformational and transparent leader. A devoted Christian, Biyi Otegbeye is prepared to lift Yewa Awori and Ogun State at large higher if elected.
To this end, I hereby urge Yewa Awori Elders and political gladiators to unanimously adopt Barrister Biyi Otegbeye as the sole candidate of Ogun West Senatorial District and collectively present him to the other two Senatorial Districts as the next governor of Ogun State.
Ogun West Senatorial District cannot do it alone. The would-be governor must have in addition to scoring the highest number of total votes cast at the governorship election, score one-quatre (¼) of the total votes cast in two-thirds (2/3) of the number of Local Governments in Ogun State in order to satisfy the constitutional requirements for the election. At this juncture, it becomes imperative for the Ogun West Senatorial District leaders to appeal and lobby the other two senatorial district leaders and political giants to consider and concede the state number one seat to Yewa Awori people now, even if it is for a single tenure of office.
The Northern Nigeria conceded the presidency to Southern Nigeria for inclusiveness and sense of belonging; hence, we passionately appeal to the other two Senatorial Districts in Ogun State to concede the governorship position to Ogun West Senatorial District in the spirit of live and let others live. This is the time to extend the hand of brotherhood, love and unity to Ogun West Senatorial District.
God bless Ogun State.
God bless Nigeria.
Adelani Asade.
A journalist, writes from Ipokia, Ogun state
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