Indigenes of Ogun State have declared their determination to mobilise support for the ‘Ogun for Ogun’ agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
They insisted that the state’s leadership should remain in the hands of people with ancestral and historical ties to the state.
The declaration was made during the ongoing ward-to-ward campaign tour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, across the 20 local government areas of the state.
The residents, who expressed support for the PDP candidates during separate engagements, said the 2027 election presented an opportunity to protect Ogun State’s political heritage and enthrone what they described as homegrown leadership.
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Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo have, in recent weeks, taken their campaign to various wards, using the engagements to canvass support for their candidacy and explain their seven-point development blueprint, tagged ‘ITURA DE’.
The visits also provided opportunities for residents to interact directly with the candidates, raise concerns about infrastructure in their communities and make demands on areas requiring urgent government intervention.
At several locations, the candidates were received by supporters and community members, some of whom said it was their first opportunity to interact personally with the PDP governorship candidate.
Among the issues repeatedly raised were poor rural roads, inadequate agricultural support, unemployment and the need for improved opportunities for farmers, women and young people.
At Alagada Ward in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, a market leader, Mrs Folasade Ogunye, said her support for the ‘Ogun for Ogun’ agenda was informed by the need for leadership that understood the challenges confronting ordinary residents.
She pointed out that women traders and farmers in the area had continued to contend with poor roads and limited economic opportunities, making responsive leadership imperative.
“We, the women of Obafemi Owode, have suffered neglect. Our roads to the markets are bad and our children need jobs. We want someone who grew up here, who knows our language and our struggles.
“It would also be a disservice to the memory of our heroes for an outsider to dictate the fortune of our people. That is why we have pledged to go from house to house to secure this mandate. It is about our pride as Ogun indigenes,” she said.
At Alapakooni community, also in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, some residents said they had abandoned the All Progressives Congress (APC), demonstrating their decision by setting some brooms, the party’s symbol, ablaze.
They attributed their action to dissatisfaction with the APC and what they described as uncertainty surrounding the identity of its governorship candidate.
A community youth coordinator, Tunde Akinola, said their decision to identify with Adebutu was informed by their desire to support a candidate they believed could deliver on his promises.
“We decided to join this ward meeting today with our incoming governor, Adebutu, because we love our state and cannot trade it on the altar of politics. We want to follow the person we know and who will deliver,” he said.
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