Coalition seeks end to Ibadan dominance in Oyo politics

A coalition under the aegis of Oyo G22 Renewed has rejected the deputy governorship slot ahead of the 2027 elections, calling instead for a rotational governorship arrangement in Oyo State to promote fairness, equity, and justice among its five zones.

The group made its position known on Thursday during a press conference held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where its Chairman, Chief Ademola Ayoade, read a prepared statement.

Oyo State, created on February 3, 1976, from the old Western State, originally included the present-day Osun State, which was carved out in 1991. The state is currently divided into five political zones—Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibarapa.

Addressing journalists, Chief Ayoade lamented that the Ibadan zone had dominated the governorship position for about 26 years, leaving the remaining zones marginalised.

The purpose of this press conference is to draw the attention of the general public to the historic and intolerable imbalance and insensitivity being perpetrated in this state as far as the office of the governor is concerned,” he said.

“The governorship of Oyo State has been dominated by the Ibadan zone to the exclusion of the other four zones. Apart from being the state capital with 11 local governments, Ibadan accounts for just about one-third of the state in voting strength.

Except for the brief tenure of Adebayo Alao-Akala from May  2007 to May  2011, no other zone has produced a governor. The cumulative period of Ibadan’s dominance stands at about 26 years, while Ogbomoso had only four years. What we want is the governorship, not the deputy governorship.”