The consensus amongst Nigerians is that the federation has been dysfunctional, more unitary than federal, and not delivering public goods to the generality of people.
Despite possessing significant natural resource endowments, being Africa’s leading economy and most populous nation, Nigerians are neither happy nor content with the current political structure, the 1999 Constitution, and virtually all the institutions of governance at the federal, state and local levels.
While this may be largely attributable to our political culture and weird leadership selection process rather than institutions and the constitution, many see the latter as the cause and effect of our national discontent.
This state of national dissatisfaction for a variety of reasons and motives has led to strident calls from virtually all segments of Nigerian society for political, constitutional, and fiscal reform using various words and phrases – restructuring, true federalism, devolution, resource control, regionalism, self-determination, and so on.
At the micro level, the people of Oyo Federal Constituency comprising of Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West Local Governments in Oyo State
have called the bluff of Ibadan over what they referred to as ‘’marginalisation and political injustice’’.
Oyo is an integral part of Oyo State and holds a prime traditional position, being the home of the most revered Monarch in the Sub-Saharan Africa, His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo.
When Oyo State was created in 1976 from the old Western Region, Oyo people heaved a sigh of relief from political and administrative marginalisation.
Again in 1991, when the present Osun State was created, it was another
moment of ecstasy and hope that the exclusion of Oyo people from key
political positions and appointments was over.
In spite of the inestimable contributions of illustrious sons and daughters of Oyo metropolis to the socio-economic advancement of the Pace Setter State since its creation, no Oyo indigene has occupied the number one seat (governorship) in the State.
Against this background, some stakeholders had embarked on series of meetings in the metropolis on the matter.
They noted that the motive of the meetings was to separate the signal from the noise, and ensure that the indignation of the people is propelled by a desire for progress, devoid of mere politics, oportunism, search for sectional entitlement, and mostly driven by
fractious politics.
They stated that while the meetings were expected to chart a way forward out of this political servitude, it would also x- ray myriads of political injustices meted out to the people of Oyo Federal Constituency by the Ibadan both at the state and federal levels.
They further noted that since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, the people of Oyo had been instrumental to the realization of the gubernatorial aspirations of all past and present governors that emerged from other Zones of Oyo State.
They pointed out that political dominance and marginalization is the root cause of dangerous agitations and calls for resource control that has assumed a worrisome dimension to national security.
For instance, they hinted that from 1983 till the present moment, Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oke-ogun areas of the state had produced about 21 governors and deputy governors respectively.
They were Dr. Victor Olunloyo [Ibadan] late Alhaji Olatunji Mohamed [Ogbomoso), late Chief Kolapo Isola [Ibadan], Engineer Ahmed Gbadamosi [Saki], late Alhaji Lam Adesina [Ibadan] Barrister Iyiola Oladokun [Ado-Awaye], Senator Rasidi Ladoja [Ibadan] Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala [Ogbomoso], Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala [Ogbomoso] Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi [Ibadan], Senator Rasidi Ladoja [Ibadan] Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala [Ogbomoso],
Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala [Ogbomoso] Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja [Ibadan], Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi [Ibadan], as well as Moses Alake Adeyemo [Ogboro].
They further pointed out that under the present administration, Oyo Zone has not benefitted from any federal appointments, other than an Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] National Electoral Commissioner, unlike other parts of the state.
However, sequel to exhaustive deliberations on the development of Oyo zone, findings revealed that the people of Oyo, comprising leaders of thought, opinion moulders, political, community and religious leaders, village heads, artisans, as well as market men and women agreed to speak with one voice.
The forum at the end of a day event, it was learnt, expressed strong indignation over what they called ‘age-long political imbalance and injustice against the Federal Constituency, and the need for a just, fair, sincere consideration and appraisal.
It urged leadership of various political parties in the state to see Oyo people as partners in progress in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play.
According to a stakeholder who pleaded anonymity, , ‘’Oyo is fed up with the game of being relegated to the background. We must emulate Kwara State political understanding, whereby governorship seat is being rotated on senatorial basis’’.
‘’Our utmost belief is that, as much as other zones have capable hands to mount the saddle of leadership in the state, Oyo people also have competent hands to paddle the canoe of leadership of Oyo State to a safer haven’’, the communiqué asserted.
