A coalition of prominent citizens from 22 local government areas outside Ibadan has called for an end to what it describes as decades of political marginalisation in Oyo State.
Operating under the banner Oyo G22 Renewed, the group issued an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the state and national chairmen of the APC, PDP, and ADC, demanding that the 2027 governorship slot be ceded to candidates from Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, or Oke-Ogun.
Signatories to the letter include respected figures such as Prof. Wande Abimbola, Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Prof. Sulaiman Gbadegesin, Dr. Adesokan Ojebode, Prof. Nurain Tanimowo, Mr. Dokun Alagbe, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, and retired General Kunle Togun.
The group lamented that, since 1983, Ibadan indigenes have consistently produced governors, including Omololu Olunloyo, Kolapo Ishola, Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Abiola Ajimobi, and the incumbent, Seyi Makinde. The only exception was the late Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso, who served from 2007 to 2011.
“A cursory look at other South-West states shows a balanced rotation of governorship positions. In Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti, state capitals have never monopolised the slot as Ibadan has done for decades,” the letter stated.
The group further highlighted that Ibadan indigenes represent just 30% of the city’s voting population, while the remaining 70% are drawn from other zones and non-indigenes. They argued that this demographic reality makes it unjust for Ibadan to retain a near-permanent hold on the governorship.
Appealing to all political parties to adopt zoning as a principle of fairness and inclusivity, the group pledged to throw its full support behind any party that fields a candidate from the 22 LGAs outside Ibadan.
“In the interest of justice, equity, and peaceful coexistence, Ibadan must allow other zones to produce the next governor,” they insisted, calling on political leaders to intervene and “soften the hearts” of Ibadan stakeholders on this matter.
They also cited Ogun State, where the governorship position traditionally alternates between the Egba and Ijebu regions, and reminded political actors that even at the federal level, power has rotated between North and South despite population differences.
The group concluded by urging all parties to make the 2027 election a turning point for inclusive governance in Oyo State.
