Estimated reading time: 11 minute(s)
Leaders in Ogun west senatorial district of Ogun state have expressed concern over failure of the region to produce a governor since creation of the state.
The leaders under the auspices of Ogun West Stakeholders Forum claimed that disunity among indigenes and personal interest were the major reasons why the region had not produced a governor.
The stakeholders’ Forum compromising of professionals, business men, technocrats, civil servants and politicians from Ogun West, insisted on consensus ahead of 2023 governorship election, saying, it is the only solution to solve the marginalisation crisis in the region.
They also lamented continuous unfavourable represention of the region in the distribution of political appointments and infrastructure development, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun not to follow the path of his predecessors.
The Ogun West stakeholders spoke on Thursday at a Forum titled “Ogun West Engage Series 2” held at Yewa Frontier Hotel, Ilaro.
Speaking at the forum, the guest lecturer, Professor Gbemi Onakoya expressed displeasure on the dispute between the two governorship candidates who hailed from the region in the 2019 election.
According to the speaker, the two governorship candidates lost to Governor Abiodun due to lack of cooperation and disunity in Ogun West.
Onakoya called for consensus of governorship aspirants in the district ahead of the coming election.
He urged the stakeholders to constitute what he described as ‘Ogun West Assembly’ that would be attended by representatives from the three federal constituencies in the region ranging from Ado-Odo Ota, Egbado North/Imeko Afon to Egbado South/Ipokia.
“The problem of sell-outs outside interests must be contended with. Such people should become pariah in the comity of the devoted.
“It has become imperative in the view of the self-marginalisation of Ogun West there is need to change the paradigm and promote enlighten self interest.
“The usual problem of power tussle among politicians who as usual take undue advantage of their individual identities with the various ethnic and sub-ethnic groups or communities to cause confusion and disaffection among the generality of otherwise Innocent masses of the people must be identified and vigorously tackled.
“In the nearest future, we should work as a team, be self reliant and we will win together”. He said.
In her address, a former deputy governor of the state, Alhaja Salmat Badru also canvassed for unity among politicians in the region irrespective of political parties.
Badru who hailed from Ohunbo in the Yewa axis of the region stressed that, the region was marginalised in government activities because of lack of cooperation between its politicians.
She said “Yewa people has never choose any candidate. All those that are contesting from Yewa were picked on our behalf. I was not expecting that I will be a deputy governor when I became the deputy governor.
“On the issue of infrastructure, you are clamouring for, if you have 100 deputy governors from Ogun West, you will continue to complain because nothing comes to their table until you have that number one”.
In her remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Naimot Salako-Oyedele assured the stakeholders of inclusive governance.
Salako-Oyedele announced that the state government would soon commence infrastructure projects in all areas within the Ogun West region.
The deputy governor who was represented by the Commissioner for budget and planning, Hon. Olaolu Olabitan urged the stakeholders to support Governor Abiodun led government.
He said “We should take the advice of the lecturer. The lecturer said the timing is important. We should aim for the post of the governor but our timing must be right. I believe Ogun West is not getting a bad deal like before.
“The Paramount Ruler said at one occasion that I attended that for the past 8 years, they have not commissioned any project. Very soon, between 12 to18 months, you will see projects in Ogun West”.
