By Favour Adéwọyin
Purpose is the reason for creation — the original intent behind every being or thing. As Dr. Myles Munroe rightly said, “When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.”
Indeed, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa was not formed by chance. It was established with a clear, divine, and historic mission: to advocate for the rotation of governorship power in Ọ̀yọ́ State — from Ìbàdàn to Òkèògùn come 2027.
A Divine Mandate
This advocacy is not just political — it is spiritual. Like Jacob who once declared, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not,” we affirm that God is in, behind, and around this movement. He is the Author and Finisher of every righteous struggle, from the deliverance of Israel from Egypt to liberation movements across history.
Our agitation, therefore, is not rebellion; it is revelation. It is not ambition; it is conviction. Like Moses, who carried a divine vision for the emancipation of his people, our cause is rooted in divine justice and moral duty.
*The Context of Our Struggle:*
We are not enslaved, but we are politically marginalised. The Nigerian Constitution does not compel power rotation, yet power itself is never freely given — it must be demanded, negotiated, and pursued. As the saying goes, “Power is not served à la carte.”
Ọ̀yọ́, the Pace Setter State, has led in education, culture, and development, but not in governorship rotation. Other states like Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Kogi, Delta, and Edo have reached gentleman agreements for inclusivity and peace. Why should Ọ̀yọ́ — the cradle of civilisation and intellect — lag behind?
*Why We Agitate:*
_1. Because Power Must Be Sought, Not Served:_
No one voluntarily releases power. During the old Ọ̀yọ́ State era, Ìbàdàn agitated with the slogan “Ọmọ wa ni, ẹ jẹ́ ó ṣe é.” Kwara once shouted “Ó tó gẹ̀.” Today, Òkèògùn declares: “Òkèògùn ló kàn” — it is our turn. This is not defiance but a legitimate call for justice and balance.
_2. Because Meritocracy Has Been Subverted:_
For years, Òkèògùn politicians have been loyal to party ideologies to their own detriment. “Ẹgbẹ́ là ń ṣe” (we follow party orders) has been their creed. Yet, loyalty without reward is slavery.
Meritocracy — though noble — has no real place in our political reality in this country. Leadership is now determined by “connections” and “long legs.” As Professor Sẹ́gun Gbádégesin once noted, what we now practice is “politics in its debased sense” rather than “politics in its original sense” whicg is the noble politics of service.
Our agitation is not to discard merit but to reclaim justice. The Yorùbá wisely say: “Ọmọ ẹni kìí ṣ’ìdí bẹ̀bẹ̀rẹ̀ ká fi s’ìdí ọmọ ẹlòmíì” — one should beautify one’s own child before another’s. This is not selfishness; it is self-respect and fairness.
_3. Because Every Region Deserves Equal Access to Power:_
Ọ̀yọ́ State has 33 Local Government Areas:
Ìbàdàn – 11
Òkèògùn – 10
Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ – 5
Ọ̀yọ́ – 4
Ìbàràpá – 3
Every region contributes meaningfully to the state’s progress. Hence, no region should dominate while others are perpetually sidelined.
Fairness demands equal treatment.
Justice upholds what is right.
Equity provides what each needs to thrive.
Equality gives all the same opportunities.
Inclusivity ensures every voice is heard and represented.
Like children of one father, every region deserves equal access to the seat of governance.
_4. Because Every Human Is Created for Dominion, Not Subjugation:_
God created man — male and female — for dominion over the earth, not to rule over one another. Leadership is divine stewardship, not personal conquest.
Yet, our politics has become a marketplace for the unprepared and the unprincipled — many driven by “stomach infrastructure” rather than vision.
We must return to purpose-driven leadership rooted in calling, competence, and character.
*A Call for Justice and Renewal:*
Our advocacy is not against any region; it is for fairness, unity, and balance in Ọ̀yọ́ State. Òkèògùn’s turn is not a demand for privilege, but a call for justice. Every marginalised region deserves a fair chance at the seat of power. Yet, the governorship is but one seat — one throne that can only be occupied by one leader at a time. When the moment of decision arrives, may wisdom, understanding, and maturity prevail, so that we may navigate this turning point with grace, unity, and foresight beyond what any observer could imagine.
When the time comes, let wisdom, fairness, and maturity guide our decisions. For the Scripture reminds us:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Change is inevitable. We cannot continue with a system where few feast while others are starved of opportunity. As the Yoruba say: “Ẹnìkan kì í jẹ́ k’ílẹ̀ ó fẹ̀” — one person cannot be eating without consideration for others;
and “Àjọjẹ ò dùn bí ẹnìkan ò ní” — a feast is not sweet when someone is excluded.
Let us therefore unite — in justice, equity, and shared destiny — to birth a new dawn for Ọ̀yọ́ State.
Pastor Favour Adéwọyin, National Secretary, Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa.
