₦airaland Forum

As the 2027 Governorship Election in Oyo State draws closer, political stakeholders from outside the Ibadan zone have intensified efforts to challenge the historical dominance of Ibadan indigenes in the state's highest office.

Top politicians from Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibarapa regions are quietly strategizing, with many of them yet to openly declare their ambitions.

A key part of their plan is to push for power rotation among the three senatorial districts, arguing that the continuous occupation of the seat by Ibadan indigenes has marginalized other regions.

Oyo State is made up of 33 local government areas grouped into three senatorial districts.

However, Ibadan alone—located within the Oyo South Senatorial District—has held the governorship seat for almost three decades.

The Oyo South district comprises nine local governments: Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East, Ibadan South-West, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, and Ido.

Historical records show that since Chief Kolapo Ishola governed during the aborted Third Republic between January 2, 1992, and November 17, 1993, only one non-Ibadan indigene has occupied the seat.

That exception is the late Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso, who served a single term.

In contrast, four Ibadan sons have served as governors almost back-to-back: Lam Adesina (1999–2003), Rashidi Ladoja (2003–2007), Abiola Ajimobi (2011–2019), and the incumbent Seyi Makinde, who is expected to complete his second term in 2027.

“For 26 years, Ibadan has held the governorship, except for Alao-Akala’s four years.

The state has continuously failed to embrace power rotation among its senatorial districts,” a stakeholder from the Oke-Ogun axis confided in our reporter.

According to him, Oyo and Benue remain among the few states in Nigeria yet to adopt senatorial rotation of the governorship. “This refusal is counterproductive to inclusive governance and undermines the sense of belonging needed in a diverse state like ours,” he added.

However, insiders believe that the disunity and lack of coordinated efforts among political leaders from the other senatorial zones have also contributed to Ibadan's prolonged dominance. “If the non-Ibadan zones unite and work together, they have enough voter strength to influence the outcome of the 2027 election,” another source noted.

Contrary to the often-quoted claim that Ibadan alone commands 60% of the state’s voter population, official figures from the 2023 presidential and governorship elections reveal a different story.

Ibadan accounts for 52% of the total votes cast, while Oke-Ogun holds 21%, Ogbomoso 18%, Oyo 6%, and Ibarapa 3%.

These figures suggest that a united front among the other regions could present a viable challenge to Ibadan’s longstanding political dominance and potentially reshape the leadership trajectory of Oyo State in 2027.

Lanrelagboi:
Official data shows Ibadan does not constitute 60% of State’s votes




https://lagostoday.com.ng/2027-guber-why-there-should-be-zonal-rotation-oyo-stakeholders/

okoIYAyin:
As an Ibadan indigene who truly believes in fairness and equity, I’ve always wondered why leaders from Oke-Ogun and Oyo zones have stayed silent for so long. Yes, most political heavyweights in the state are from Ibadan, but that shouldn’t make the governorship seat an Ibadan birthright.
Power rotation isn’t a radical idea, it’s about equity and inclusion. I genuinely hope that come 2027, Ibadan politicians will step back and support a credible candidate from outside the city. That’s what progress and unity look like.
This might sound funny, but I honestly wish I could align with a top politician from one of these zones. I believe I have a strategy that could actually help them win.
Unfortunately, it’s looking like the major parties may stick with Ibadan candidates again, Adelabu in APC and possibly Ilaji in PDP. It doesn’t add up, but like we say, it is what it is!

press9jatv:
nope you are wrong here. It’s:
1. adelabu of Apc - Ibadan zone
2. Teslim folarin of Apc - Ibadan zone
3. Ogundoyin of Pdp - Ibarapa zone
4. Senator Fatai Buhari of Apc in Oyo zone

laurel03:
Ibadan people are like HausaFulani on the Northern region in Oyo State... They like power and always think Oyo State belong to them alone.. Like Hausa/Fulani doing for the federation.

lordwoz:
52% means they have the highest probability of winning again

okoIYAyin:
I want to believe you're quite versatile in politics, but let me ask, how well do you really know Oyo State politics? Let’s assume all of that checks out, now let’s be brutally honest with ourselves.
If APC holds its primary today, between Adelabu, Teslim Folarin, and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who do you think would clinch the ticket? We both know the answer.
As for PDP, even though I’m seriously rooting for Ogundoyin, being young and looks somehow decent, the truth is, his chances of securing the ticket are slim compared to the established heavyweights in the party. Where are the heavyweights in the party from? Ibadan!

press9jatv:
nope you are wrong here. It’s:
1. adelabu of Apc - Ibadan zone
2. Teslim folarin of Apc - Ibadan zone
3. Ogundoyin of Pdp - Ibarapa zone
4. Senator Fatai Buhari of Apc in Oyo zone

okoIYAyin:
I want to believe you're quite versatile in politics, but let me ask, how well do you really know Oyo State politics? Let’s assume all of that checks out, now let’s be brutally honest with ourselves.
If APC holds its primary today, between Adelabu, Teslim Folarin, and Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who do you think would clinch the ticket? We both know the answer.
As for PDP, even though I’m seriously rooting for Ogundoyin, being young and looks somehow decent, the truth is, his chances of securing the ticket are slim compared to the established heavyweights in the party. Where are the heavyweights in the party from? Ibadan!

Komenikanri1:
This may sound funny, Ibadan people don't really care which zone produces the governor. In the second Republic, when the real state politicking began, Bola Ige from minority region of Esa Oke became the governor with overwhelming support from Ibadan people. It was some unguarded utterances and rethorics that forced Ibadan people who were more interested in business than politics to feel a son of the soil, the late Olunloyo should run against the incumbent, a move that proved to be a success and an eye opener for the largest zone in the state.
In 1992, Ibadan people opted for Kolapo Ishola against their own true son, Yekini Adeojo. The last straw that broke the 🐫 back would be the blatant display of betrayal and a public assassination of loyalty of Alao Akala against a true Ibadan man, Rashidi Ladoja Deputy governors are barely known, except you are a keen follower of the politics of Oyo and some other states. You should know that governance in the state is always a one-man-show, the governor. Ladoja gave roles and popularity to Akala, which later became the tool the Ogbomosho man used to unseat his principal.
I believe this birthed the Ibadan-first ideology when gubernatorial selections are being made. Politics is all about the majority in terms of the size of zones, tribe and religion.

In Kwara, though, it is not a case of Ilorin-takes-it-all like Ibadan - the political ascendancy is tailored in line with the religion of Islam. Since C.O. adebayo they have always had muslim governors- Muslims are the majority, and the emirate is the symbol of Islam, which must be sacred. To have this narrative defeated, it will require a sensible political cooperation and revolution, which, to me, is utopian in the era of monetary motivated politics and open vote buying.

It is normal for the minority to feel cheated, to break the structure of the majority howerever, required a strong and concerted effort.

Thank you for reading.

SAMTOBIJU:
I'm a fan of ogundoyin but he is not in the race yet. Folarin will lule again, so he should not waste his money.... penkelemes....hmmmmm, that minister of power position presently is not doing much good for his image presently and fatai Buhari does not have enough publicity especially to Ibadan voters who are majority.

I think we should also consider ilaji resort CEO but I believe Seyi influence will say alot about who takes over the governorship sit eventually

okoIYAyin:
As an Ibadan indigene who truly believes in fairness and equity, I’ve always wondered why leaders from Oke-Ogun and Oyo zones have stayed silent for so long. Yes, most political heavyweights in the state are from Ibadan, but that shouldn’t make the governorship seat an Ibadan birthright.
Power rotation isn’t a radical idea, it’s about equity and inclusion. I genuinely hope that come 2027, Ibadan politicians will step back and support a credible candidate from outside the city. That’s what progress and unity look like.
This might sound funny, but I honestly wish I could align with a top politician from one of these zones. I believe I have a strategy that could actually help them win.
Unfortunately, it’s looking like the major parties may stick with Ibadan candidates again, Adelabu in APC and possibly Ilaji in PDP. It doesn’t add up, but like we say, it is what it is!

temitope27:
not only indigene living there na

laurel03:
Ibadan people are like HausaFulani on the Northern region in Oyo State... They like power and always think Oyo State belong to them alone.. Like Hausa/Fulani doing for the federation.

press9jatv:
ok. Engineer Sanusi of ilaji resort and hotel doesn’t have governorship ambition at all.