An open letter to 2019 Ogun Yewa Gubernatorial aspirants: History will repeat itself

by Temitope Adigun

As 2019 gubernatorial election draws closer, there have been different speculations both online and offline, from pundits and residents of Ogun State and media organisations that the governorship slot had been zone to Ogun West Senatorial District by most of the parties registered in the state.

These speculations became more realistic and over-emphasised after the incumbent governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun made the decision to hand-over power to Ogun west senatorial district candidate, which according to research has not produced a governor since the creation of the state in 1976— over 40 years ago.

Since the decision of the governor had been made public, lots of people are already showing interest for this number one position in the state from this senatorial district, such as; Sen. Solomon Olamilekan (Yayi), Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Mr Wasiu Kolawole Lawal (KLM) and Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI).

From previous elections, it had been recorded that lack of co-operation of the Yewa people had led to the downfall of their sons who had shown interest in running for governorship position in the state and if care is not taken, history will repeat itself in this coming 2019 election.

On 9th of August, the Chieftain of APC, Chief Olusegun Osoba also did opine that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had zoned the 2019 governorship slot to Yewa Senatorial district.

Also, the Ogun State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele disclosed that the party’s governorship ticket had been zone to the Ogun west senatorial district ahead of the 2019
election, while he recalled how the PDP zoned the governorship in two previous elections to Ogun West but lost to the APC.

However, despite all eyes focused on this senatorial district, on August 29th, 2017, the party chairman of APC in Ogun state, Alhaji Tajudeen Lemboye debunked the speculations that party had zoned the 2019 governorship slot to Yewa Ogun West Senatorial district, during the declaration of Hon. Abiodun Akinlade for the party governorship position at the party state secretariat, in Abeokuta.

“Any zone is free to vie for the number one position come 2019, stating that the party would not restrict the governorship slot any particular zone in the state”, he debunked.

The Ogun west senatorial district, Yewa, which comprises of 5 million, 217 thousand, 716 at 2013 population forecast by the National Population Commission and National Bureau of Statistics, had been reported by some pundits to possibly lose the gubernatorial election to other senatorial district coming 2019, if proper action is not taken by the aspirants of this district.

The likes of the former house speaker of House of Representative, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, who was reported to have decamped from PDP to Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Rotimi Paseda of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), could use this opportunity to cut the tail and gather more supporters to themselves, which could hinder the Yewas from seeing the seat they ever longed for.

In conclusion, it is pertinent that Yewas negotiate with their sons before losing this chance.


Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Adigun Temitope is a final year student of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is currently the editor-in-chief of the department Magazine, ‘The Jacksonite’ and BLACK PRIDE Magazine.

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