I have been inundated with messages and calls concerning where I stand on the forthcoming Oyo State governorship election in March 2023. It’s not a hidden fact to the public that I campaigned vigorously, using my financial and moral resources, for the candidature of Chief Bayo Adelabu, who was the governorship candidate of the APC during the 2019 governorship electioneering. It’s against this background that my friends, families and associates have been on my neck to state where I stand on the forthcoming governorship election.
First of all, let me emphasize it that my motive for supporting any candidate, especially governorship one, is to see a thriving Oyo State. As an Ibadan Chief and a business stakeholder in Oyo State, I count is as sacrosanct my duty to see to the social and economic well-being of Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general. What therefore informed my unalloyed support for Chief Bayo Adelabu in 2019, and which I have no regret for, was my passion to see my State survive and thrive.
However, as they say, circumstances are not static; they’re dynamic. From 2019 to 2023, there are circumstances that have changed the way things are. I cite this instance that when I chose to support Bayo Adelabu of the APC over Seyi Makinde of the PDP, I was still a Mogaji, a lesser traditional Ibadan chief, representing Anlamole Compound. By the time preparation for 2023 governorship election in Oyo State was in full swing, I have been installed as Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, a higher traditional Ibadan chieftaincy title in March 2022. Allah be praised for the noble elevation! I am now on the ladder to become Olubadan in the future. The chieftaincy title of Jagun Olubadan confers on me certain rights, obligations and discretions. One of such obligations, and or, discretions is non partisanship in political affairs of my state. As a member of the traditional council of my local government, Ibadan South East, I have become a community leader and a father of sort to politicians of all party leanings.
Quite surprisingly, the three governorship candidates of the three major parties – Gov Seyi Makinde, PDP; Chief Bayo Adelabu, Accord and Oloye Teslim Folarin, APC – are from Ibadan South East Local Government as I am. By implication, the three governorship candidates are my brothers, and on a lighter note, two of them, Seyi Makinde and Bayo Adelabu, are my subjects since I am a member of the traditional council of the local government.
Equally worthy of consideration is the fact of my position as the National President of Ibadan Descendants’ Union Inc, USA, a socio-cultural organisation existing for the unification of all sons and daughters of Ibadan residing in the North America and the progress of our dear City. What of kind National President will I be if I choose to support one Ibadan son over others?
As it stands now, my passion continues to be that Oyo State must be prosperous in social and economic terms. I desire a governor who will turn our fortunes around for good and who will arrest the disturbing spate of youth unemployment and restlessness in Ibadan in particular and Oyo State in general. Therefore, I can only wish all the three candidates the best outings at the polls come March 2023 and pray for the best among them to emerge victorious for the sake of Oyo State.
Oloye Abiola Iyiola is Jagun Olubadan of Ibadan
