A socio-cultural organisation, the Egba Rebirth Alliance, has challenged all candidates seeking to govern Ogun State from 2027 to commit to a five-point development agenda it says is critical to the future of Egbaland.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the alliance, comprising more than 500 professionals drawn from the six local government areas of Ogun Central Senatorial District and the diaspora, said Egbaland would not approach the 2027 governorship election merely as an arena for political promises.
It said candidates must be prepared to explain, in concrete terms, what they intend to do to address the infrastructure, economic, institutional and rural development challenges confronting the region.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the President and Secretary of the alliance, Femi Adeleye and Opeyemi Ajala, respectively, and made available in Abeokuta in September 2026.
The group stressed that its intervention was not an endorsement of any candidate or political party, but an attempt to ensure that the interests of Egbaland formed part of the political conversation ahead of the election.
According to the alliance, elections should provide an opportunity for citizens to negotiate with those seeking their votes and demand measurable commitments rather than accepting campaign rhetoric.
It consequently identified the construction of an Abeokuta Ring Road as its first priority.
The proposed road, according to the group, should connect the Camp-Alabata axis through Kobape, Ojere and Obada and extend towards Mawuko.
The alliance argued that such infrastructure would be important to the continued physical and economic expansion of Abeokuta, particularly as population growth, commercial activities, industrial development and urbanisation place additional pressure on existing transportation routes.
It also demanded the establishment of an Abeokuta Capital City Development Authority, backed by appropriate legislation and saddled with responsibility for the long-term planning, renewal and sustainable development of the Ogun State capital.
While acknowledging what it described as projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, including the Oke-Mosan medical centre of excellence, Muhammadu Buhari Estate, road reconstruction and the Ibara GRA rejuvenation scheme, the alliance said the development of Abeokuta should not depend solely on the priorities of individual administrations.
It described Abeokuta as the administrative capital of Ogun State and an important repository of the history and identity of the Egba people.
The third demand is a comprehensive tourism development framework for Egbaland, which the group said should convert the region’s historical, cultural and natural assets into sustainable economic opportunities.
Rather than limiting tourism to festivals and promotional activities, the alliance said the proposed framework should incorporate heritage sites, museums, family archives, hospitality businesses, tour operators, artisans, restaurants, artists and host communities.
It argued that such an ecosystem could create jobs and stimulate economic activity while preserving the cultural heritage of the region.
The group also called for the revitalisation of agricultural settlements across Egbaland, including areas around Ifo, Odeda, Obafemi and Ewekoro.
According to the alliance, organised agricultural settlements could be redesigned to meet contemporary economic needs and provide a foundation for the development of agro-allied industries.
Its fifth demand is improved rural infrastructure, with the group insisting that development in Egbaland must extend beyond Abeokuta and other urban centres.
The alliance said rural residents should not receive less attention because their communities attract comparatively lower political visibility.
Speaking on the demands, Adeleye said the organisation was more interested in what would happen after the 2027 election than in the political rhetoric that would precede it.
“We’re not interested in the incessant noise that accompanies elections. We’re interested in what happens after the elections,” he said.
Adeleye added that the alliance expected candidates to address roads, institutions, tourism, agriculture and rural infrastructure in practical terms.
He further said the organisation would scrutinise candidates regardless of their political affiliation.
“We will listen to everyone. We will analyse everyone. We will ask everyone difficult questions,” Adeleye said.
He added that membership of a political party or influence within the political structure should not, on its own, determine the support of voters in Egbaland.
The alliance’s Diaspora Coordinator, Adeolu Adebari, described the five demands as the beginning of a conversation rather than its conclusion.
Adebari said the region had produced accomplished individuals across different fields and therefore should demand a comparable standard of performance from those seeking political office.
“We have no excuse for lowering our standards in politics,” he said.
The alliance’s Secretary, Ajala, said the organisation would monitor the responses of governorship candidates and demand details beyond campaign promises.
He said candidates would be expected to explain how their proposed programmes would be funded and implemented.
“How much money will be allocated? Which organisations will be involved? What will the timeframe be? What will the first year look like? And the second?” Ajala asked.
The alliance said it was not demanding rash promises from politicians but wanted candidates to demonstrate an understanding of Egbaland’s economic, infrastructural and institutional challenges and present credible plans for addressing them.
It also urged residents of Egbaland to place civic considerations above partisan loyalty during the election.
According to the group, political parties and administrations may change, but infrastructure, institutions, agricultural investments, health facilities, heritage sites and economic opportunities created through government policies could affect future generations.
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