By OLATUNDE AJAYI

A sociopolitical group, “Egbe Ajosepo fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo wa”, held a peaceful rally in Iseyin on Thursday to demand the 2027 governorship ticket.

The rally, which featured a motorcade along major streets, markets, the palace and other public places in Iseyin, involved residents across the 10 Local Governments in the Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State.

These 10 local governments are: Atisbo, Oorelope, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Irepo, Olorunsogo, Iwajowa, Saki East, and Saki West.

The group’s National Chairman, Mr Dauda Olaifa-Alade, said the message of the rally was simple, yet powerful.

According to him, the sensitisation is part of the sustained advocacy to educate and empower the public with the right information to make informed decisions ahead of and during the forthcoming 2027 election.

“Wherever our Oke-Ogun son emerges victorious in the party primary, whichever party it may be that we get the party ticket from, let us unite to cast our votes decisively for him.

“This is not about partisanship. It is about fairness, justice, equity, equality and inclusivity; the values that great states uphold and responsible citizens defend.

“It is also about emulating what other states in Nigeria have embraced, that is, balanced power distribution and regional fairness, to become a reality in Oyo State.

“Ibadan had held the mantle of leadership for 21 out of the last 26 years.

“While we honour that legacy, the time has come to end the marginalisation, exclusion and political neglect in the pacesetter state.

“The future of our democracy and the unity of our state demand a more equitable political structure,” he said.

According to Olaifa-Alade, if the journey of power rotation begins from Oke-Ogun, it will chart a path of hope for all regions.

“It will also open the way for a political arrangement where every zone becomes a true stakeholder, a rightful participant and an honoured beneficiary.

“This is how harmony is built. This is how progress is sustained. This is how citizens across Oyo State will rejoice for a wise, just and historic decision,” he said.

The group’s National Secretary, Pastor Favour Adewoyin, said the group shifted its campaigns to Oke-Ogun after it had made its demand known in Ibadan through several programmes and consultations.

He noted that plans had been concluded to move to other towns and cities within the zone and the remaining local governments outside Ibadan.

This, he said, would be to educate people in making informed decisions when the time comes to pick the 2027 governorship candidate. (NAN)