Power, in its truest form, is not served à la carte - selectively offered to the privileged few at the expense of others. It is a sacred trust, a shared responsibility built on justice, equity, and brotherhood. In this spirit, it is time - indeed, long overdue - that the people of Yewa-Awori, the proud sons and daughters of Ogun West, are given the rightful opportunity to govern Ogun State, a state they have contributed to from inception and continue to help build every day.
For nearly five decades since the creation of Ogun State in 1976, the political leadership of the state has rotated between Ogun Central and Ogun East. These two districts have produced all the governors, alternating in a political relay that has continuously sidelined the third and equally significant senatorial district - Ogun West.
This imbalance is not just historical oversight; it is an injustice that undermined the spirit of unity, fairness, and equal representation that should define our democracy.
How can a part of the state, home to industrious, peace-loving, and contributing citizens, remain perpetually excluded from the highest office in the land they call home?
The people of Ogun West are not just passive participants in the affairs of the state; they are active contributors - economically, socially, and politically. The region is home to major industries and border communities that have long driven the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, even before the formal creation of Ogun State.
If contributions to the growth and stability of our dear state are to count for anything, then the moral compass of our society must point toward inclusion, not exclusion.
Let us be reminded: no part of Ogun State is inferior to another. The values that bind us - shared heritage, mutual respect, and a collective desire for progress - should not be compromised by the politics of domination and perpetual marginalization.
As our elders would say, “Ajọjẹ kó dùn bí ẹni kò bá ní lówó” - there is no joy in sharing when one party is systematically denied a portion of what is rightfully theirs.
This is not a cry of entitlement. This is a call for balance. It is a plea for recognition. It is a demand for justice. Ogun West has waited patiently, playing its part with dignity and loyalty, even as the opportunity to lead has consistently eluded its people.
Let us not continue on a path that breeds resentment and threatens the cohesion we have so carefully nurtured over the years.
The future of Ogun State must be one where every zone, every tribe, and every people feel seen, heard, and represented. Political equity is not a favor - it is a fundamental right in a true democracy.
It's deeply saddening, painful, and frustrating to hear the familiar, derogatory remarks from political propagandists who attempt to justify inequality and injustice by claiming that the people of Ogun West are not politically proactive or lack unity, simply because multiple candidates emerge from the region during elections.
This narrative is not only false but deliberately crafted to portray Ogun West as a region without cohesion or a clear understanding of political dynamics.
In my view, beyond its traditional definition, politics should represent justice, equality, mutual respect, and a sense of brotherhood.
This brings to mind how, despite the North having more states than the South-West - or the South in general - the northern political establishment still made room for the South-West to lead the nation.
If such political accommodation could be extended to the Yoruba at the national level, it is both shameful and deceitful that within Ogun State, we Yoruba people struggle to fairly distribute leadership among the three senatorial districts that make up the state.
These same political actors also try to suggest that Ogun West lacks credible individuals capable of leading the state - a classic tactic of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
It's no secret that when the northern elite agreed to support a Yoruba presidency for the first time, the choice of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wasn’t about wealth or status, but about justice, equity, and national unity.
To say Ogun West lacks competent individuals to lead the state is a gross understatement. The region is home to an abundance of seasoned administrators, distinguished academics, brilliant intellectuals, and accomplished industry leaders who have excelled in their fields and brought honour to the state.
Some misguided individuals also mockingly ask how many people from Ogun West could afford to burn five billion naira or throw it into the ocean for the sake of politics.
While it's true that politics today often favours the highest bidder, I believe that should never be the standard for granting Ogun West its rightful turn to govern the state.
Therefore, as the next gubernatorial cycle approaches, let conscience prevail. Let those who hold influence and sway over our political destiny reflect deeply. Let them act with a sense of history, with empathy, and with moral responsibility.
Against this backdrop, come 2027, I appeal to all political parties in Ogun State to zone their governorship candidates to Ogun West, in the spirit of equity, brotherhood, and justice.
Ogun West deserves its turn. Ogun West deserves its voice. Ogun West deserves the opportunity to lead.
Let us, as a united people, do what is right - not for politics, but for posterity.
*Abu-Satar Hamed, a concerned citizen and advocate for equity and inclusive governance in Ogun State is the Otun Baaroyin of Ilaro-Yewa and founder, StarTrend Int'l Magazine and online platform- 08038525526 startrendinter@gmail.com
