YEWA’S TURN: A POLITICAL GIMIC OF CONFUSIONITS

…says Amosun’s decision is selfish and of no substance

Former principal organizing secretary to Ogun state Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983, Hon. Akinyele Sharafadeen Ogunwoolu has said that the Yewa agenda that people were clamouring for today is nothing but a political gimic of confusionists to the people of Ogun state.

Gov Amosun

Hon. Oguwoolu who is also a Prince and the custodian of the Archive of Late Chief L.A.K. Ogunwoolu said this recently in a five pages of Press release he issued out to clear the air on the present state of Ogun politics which it’s copy get to our reporter.

Ogunwoolu who is reacting to a newspaper publication on April 12th said there is nothing like it is Yewa’s turn to rule Ogun state because according to 1999 constitution, the government did not recognize what is known to be Yewa today and this has been causing confusion among the citizens of the state.

Furthermore, Ogunwoolu expressed displeasure on Governor IbikunleAmosun’s action in determining the next governor for the people of the state, he said “Amosun’s pronouncement or choice of successor from Yewa remain the major cause of the unpredictable situation of Governorship Election in 2019, his accession is personal, selfish and of no substance to the Ogun State Politics.”

The release read thus:

IT IS YEWA’S TURN:

“A POLITICAL GIMIC OF CONFUSIONITS”

            I wish to react to the Politics Column of The Guardian Newspaper of Thursday 12^th April, 2018, Page 14, Titled“Ogun 2019 Governorship Election Still Unpredictable”.

            I commend the research and fantastic analysis of the Editor/Columnist of The Guardian Newspaper and his conclusion.

            Amosun’s pronouncement or choice of successor from Yewa remain the major cause of the unpredictable situation of Governorship Election in 2019, his accession is personal, selfish and of no substance to the Ogun State Politics.

            Ogun State was created on the 3^rd day of February, 1976 out of the merger of Two Old Provinces of the Western State,that is the Abeokuta/Egba Province and Ijebu Province.

            In accordance with the report submitted by Ayo Irikefe Panel on creation of State, and upon the Memorandum submitted by the 1^st Premier of the Western Region Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the State Capital was to be located at Sagamu, but unfortunately on the 3^rd day of February, 1976, Abeokuta, Capital of Abeokuta/Egba Province became the Capital of Ogun State (Kudos to those achievers).

            Abeokuta Province has: (1) Egba Local Government (2) Otta Local Government (3) Egbado Local Government while Ijebu Province also has: (1) Ijebu-Ode Local Government (2) Waterside Local Government (3) Remo Local Government. (Three Local Governments from each Province).

            Each of these Local Governments has their Symbol/Emblem or different Identification Logos with appointed Chairman, Vice Chairman and members of the Local Government as published in the Western State Government Gazette No. 45 Vol. 22 of 1^st November, 1973 (from Page 733).

            When the State was created, two Military Administrators Lt. Col. SaiduAyodeleBalogun and Brigadier Harris O.D. Eghaga were appointed to serve between March, 1976 – October, 1979 respectively, hence the Politicians in the two merged Provinces met to sought out some issues.

            They congratulated the Egbas where the State Capital was sited after all but reminded the Abeokuta/Egba Province that there are two important things to be determined. (1) State Capital (2) Governorship, the issue of Capital had been resolved, but Egba Province should put this into consideration and allow Ijebu to produce the 1^st Civilian Governor of Ogun State.

            It was there both leaders of the two Provinces agreed on four (4) years term per Province and when Ijebu Province produces Governor the Egba/Abeokuta Province will produce Deputy Governor.

            Eventually, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo emerged as the Ijebu Province 1^st Executive Governor while Chief Olusesan Akanbi Soluade became his Deputy from Egba/Abeokuta Province. (Swearing-in Ceremony Pamphlet of Chief Victor OlabisiBabayensiAdebusolaOnabanjo as the Executive Governor of Ogun State and Chief Samuel AkanbiOlusesanSoluade as the First Deputy Governor on Monday 1^st day of October, 1979 – The Journey So far, Page 7 Paragraph 1 affirmed the merger of the Two Provinces: Abeokuta Province and Ijebu Province into a single full-fledged State in the Federation). The most hot contender for the Governorship Seat from Abeokuta Province then was Chief Olusoji Atanda Odunjo, a Lawyer and was compensated with Commissioner for Works and Housing.

            After 3 years of the 1^st tenure, Odunjo rose to contest the Governorship Seat as initially agreed, he was told that Chief Olabisi Onabanjo still want to vie for 2^nd term, Odunjo refused bluntly, commenced with his campaign, and was forced to resign his appointment as Commissioner for Works and Housing under Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.

           

However, the party organized Congress for the two at St. Leos Teacher Training College (Now Navy Secondary School), Onikoko, Abeokuta, where both has the same Number of Vote (Tight Vote) in the 1^st Ballot before the Egbado Delegates were deceived to and voted against their own Son Chief OlusojiOdunjo, an Egbado man, Chief BisiOnabanjo emerged winner as the Election favoured him in the 2^nd Ballot before the 2^nd term was truncated in December, 1983 (3 months in the 2^nd term) by the Buhari/Idiagbon’s Administration.

            1989 came another Civilian Era when parties like the Peoples Front of Nigeria (PFN), Peoples Solidarity Party (PSP), CNC and others were formed and cancelled by Ibrahim Babangida administration which introduced Two Party System the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republic Convention (NRC).

            It is on record that Aspirants from Ijebu Province intended to contest the Governorship Seat, but were reminded by the Abeokuta/Egba Political Leaders that Bisi Onabanjo has expended their 4 years tenure and even exceeded it by 3 months in the 2^nd term.

            Therefore, Aspirants from Abeokuta/Egba Province were left to slug it among themselves. Prof. Afolabi Olabimtan from Ilaro, Chief Dele Adelakun Baase Igan Okoto via Ayetoro, Alhaji Lateef Ogunsiji all from Egbado, Chief Fola Omidiji, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, Alhaji Ganiyu Omolaja Badmus, Chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Ajanaku and Chief Olusegun Osoba from Abeokuta and were from Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Chief Femi Aderupoko Coker, Chief Alani Bankole from National Republican Convention (NRC) were Aspirants from Abeokuta/Egba Province.

            Eventually, Chief Olusegun Osoba emerged the SDP Candidate while his brother Chief Femi Aderupoko Coker (NRC) both from Abeokuta in Abeokuta Province contested the Election.

            Osoba won and picked Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye from Ijebu-Imushin according to agreement, there tenure commenced in February, 1992 and terminated on the 17^th day of November, 1993 by Abacha Government, reducing their four years mandate to only 18 months.

            1999 as a result of the return to Civil Rule, the Egbas re-approach the Ijebus that Osoba has just use 18 months out of 4 years hence, he should be allowed to complete the four years tenure of Abeokuta/Egba Province term. Hence, his returned for second term 1999 – 2003 with another Ijebu as Deputy Governor Alhaji Shefiu Adegbenga Kaka. Before he became power drunk and contested 2003 – 2007 Election against the wish of some of his followers and the Electorates.

            The Ijebus simply woo his follower which he called nonentities, use and dumped to support the most viable Ijebu Candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), no permanent friend nor permanent enemy in politics but permanent interest. The then Incumbent Governor said people are fowls that “If he pour maize on ground, the fowls will eat it” and vote for him but his people refused to vote for him.

            Otunba Gbenga Daniel who has through the initiative of an Ijebu man created Gateway Front Foundation (G.F.F) which had been given succor to the needies with structure across Ogun State made him much popular.

            Otunba Gbenga Daniel emergence from Sagamu was as a result of his rejection from Omu-Eleni where he was brought up, hence Otunba Gbenga Daniel was from Ijebu Province and supported by the Abeokuta/Egba Province, he choose Alhaja Salimot Badru from Ipokia which is part of Abeokuta/Egba Province.

            Just like Amosun has tried on Infrastructure, Daniel also tried in other aspects Education, Health etc and has eight years tenure, before Amosun form Egba in Abeokuta/Egba Province came on board in 2011 and would complete 8 years tenure by God’s grace to balance the equation.

            Fellow Politicians and Citizens of Ogun State, Amosun’s Intention to pick successor from Yewa is just a gimmick to cause confusion as Ogun State never has the record or agreement of sharing Governorship among 3 Senatorial District nor Four Divisions as most Baby Politicians are clamouring.

            The Provisions of the Amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Section 71 has clearly without missing words clarified the purpose of creating 3 Senatorial District per State and do not change the Ogun State Politics. 

            While OtunbaGbenga Daniel’s Four Divisions used in the hosting of Ogun State Sports Festival tagged: “Gateway Games 2006”with RIYE (Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba) as it advertisement logic has no locus standi, if Four Division were to be created it has to be legislated, no legislation to support RIYE.

            As an Egba man and I so much believe that Egbas would not accept the arrangement of putting REMO, IJEBU, YEWA before EGBA in such arrangement.

            Let me therefore advise those clamouring that it is the turn of YEWA to:

(1)      Make sure Yewa is recognized in the 5^th Schedule of 1999 Constitution as we only have Egbado North and Egbado South Local Government in Ogun State.            

(2)      Let there be a Political Conference where issues will be raised or issues to be raised will be resolved.

(3)      Learn from the past or enroll with L.A.K. Ogunwoolu Memorial Political Academy, Abeokuta where you can study the theoretical, practical games of Ogun State Politics.

(4)      No Consensus Candidate, No god-fatherism. Appointment of successor does not include Mr. Governor’s duties as State Governor rather he should not underrate the Politicians as no person is an Island of Wisdom.

(5)      No selection of Governorship Candidates on platter of Gold like that of Amosun who rode of the laurels of Politicians, those he later berated as use and dump Politicians.

We are getting to the bridge, when we reach it we will cross it. 

OGUN STATE CIVILLIAN GOVERNORS TO DATE

S/N	GOVERNOR	AREA	DEPUTY GOVERNOR	AREA	DURATION
1.	OLABISI ONABANJO	IJEBU PROVINCE	SESAN SOLUADE	EGBA PROVINCE	1979 – 1983 (4 YEARS)
2.	OLABISI ONABANJO	IJEBU PROVINCE	SESAN SOLUADE	EGBA PROVINCE	(1983 – 1983) 3 MONTHS
3.	OLUSEGUN OSOBA	EGBA PROVINCE	RAFIU OGUNLEYE	IJEBU PROVINCE	(1992 – 1993) 18 MONTHS
4.	OLUSEGUN OSOBA	EGBA PROVINCE	SHEFIU GBENGA KAKA	IJEBU PROVINCE	1999 – 2003
5.	GBENGA DANIEL	IJEBU PROVINCE	SALMOT BADRU	EGBA PROVINCE	2003 – 2007
6.	GBENGA DANIEL	IJEBU PROVINCE	SALMOT BADRU	EGBA PROVINCE	2007 – 2011
7.	IBIKUNLE AMOSUN	EGBA PROVINCE	SEGUN ADESEGUN	IJEBU PROVINCE	2011 – 2015
8.	IBIKUNLE AMOSUN	EGBA PROVINCE	YETUNDE ONANUGA	IJEBU PROVINCE	2015 TO DATE

IT IS THE TURN OF OLD IJEBU PROVINCE TO PRODUCE

THE 9^TH CIVILIAN GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE.

Alhaji Hon. Prince AkinyeleSharafadeenOgunwoolu

Custodian of the Archive of Late Chief L.A.K. Ogunwoolu

Principal Organising Secretary, Ogun State U.P.N 1979 – 1983. 

Immediate Past General Secretary

of All Registered Political Parties in Ogun State.

(Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

Ogun State Chairman,

Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (A.C.P.N).

Chief Executive, L.A.K Ogunwoolu Memorial Political Academy, Abeokuta.

Tel: 08098199975 / 09068883345 / 08156756800