politics

Oyo G22 Renewed Slams Ibadan over Power Dominance

Published

1 year ago

September 17, 2025

Oyo G22 Renewed slams Ibadan’s political dominance, urging parties to back non-Ibadan candidates for the 2027 governorship

In an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the leadership of major political parties, the group denounced what it called a “historic and intolerable imbalance” in the allocation of the governorship slot.

Also read: Oyo N300 Billion Loan Claim False, Makinde Govt Insists in Strong Rebuttal

Among the signatories were respected figures including 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 pointed out that since 1983, Ibadan indigenes had produced almost all the state’s governors, including Omololu Olunloyo, Kolapo Ishola, Lamidi Adesina, Rashidi Ladoja, Abiola Ajimobi and the incumbent, Seyi Makinde.

The only exception, they stressed, was the late Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso, who served from 2007 to 2011.

Calling for change ahead of the 2027 elections, Oyo G22 Renewed demanded that political parties field candidates from Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa or Oke-Ogun, rather than Ibadan.

The letter noted that only 30 per cent of Ibadan’s voting population were actual indigenes, meaning that 70 per cent of the state’s electorate came from other zones and non-indigenes. The group argued this disproves claims that Ibadan’s demographic strength alone justifies its dominance.

They appealed to Ibadan leaders to abandon what they described as an uncompromising posture, urging a commitment to “justice, peaceful co-existence, equity and fairness” for the wider state.

Drawing comparisons with neighbouring states, the group observed that no governor has emerged from the state capitals of Osogbo, Akure or Ado-Ekiti.

In Ogun, the seat rotates between the Egbas and Ijebus, while at the federal level, Nigeria has avoided the exclusion of Southerners despite the North’s large voting bloc.

“We, on behalf of the 22 local government areas outside Ibadan, are determined to ensure that our peaceful and legitimate demand is met,” the letter read. “We will support only those who support our aspiration.”

Also read: Seyi Makinde HIV/AIDS Funding Boosts Oyo Fight with N45m Support

The intervention by Oyo G22 Renewed highlights the simmering debate over zoning in Oyo politics, with growing pressure for 2027 to break Ibadan’s long-held dominance.

Up Next

Bola Tinubu Paris Trip Cut Short Without Explanation

Don't Miss

Obidient Movement backs George Moghalu for Anambra Poll

theheute

Click to comment

politics

2027: Political Parties Mobilise Thousands of Polling Agents

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Political parties in Nigeria have intensified the recruitment and training of polling agents ahead of the 2027 general elections, as preparations shift towards securing representation at polling units across the country.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are putting structures in place to monitor voting, counting and collation of results.

The development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduces an electronic platform for political parties to nominate and submit the details of their polling agents, replacing the manual submission system used in previous elections.

Nigeria has 176,846 polling units, making nationwide representation a major logistical undertaking for parties seeking to monitor the electoral process from the grassroots.

The APC has claimed that it has recruited 4,421,150 polling agents across the country’s polling units.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, disclosed the figure while speaking at a two-day national retreat of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja.

The ruling party said its mobilisation was part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence and ensure adequate representation during the elections.

The opposition parties are also developing their own strategies, with some focusing on recruiting committed members, screening nominees and training officials responsible for submitting agents’ details to INEC.

PDP trains officials, warns against double agents

The PDP has begun training its state executives and officials responsible for uploading the details of its polling agents to INEC’s online portal.

At a capacity-building session in Abuja on November 2, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged participants to take the exercise seriously and extend the training to officials at the local government and ward levels.

He stressed that election monitoring began at polling units, where party agents played an important role in protecting candidates’ interests.

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also cautioned state executives against engaging individuals who were not committed members of the party.

Bature warned against the recruitment of so-called double agents who could abandon their responsibilities or work for rival parties during elections.

He urged party officials to properly screen nominees and prioritise loyal members who had demonstrated commitment to the organisation.

The PDP subsequently directed its state secretaries to submit their agents’ details to the national leadership by December 2, ahead of the commission’s submission deadline.

Labour Party draws lessons from 2023 election

The Labour Party has also commenced the recruitment, screening and notification of polling agents as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Its Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, said the party was drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, particularly the difficulties it encountered in obtaining comprehensive coverage of polling units.