IJEBU-ODE – Immediate past governorship aspirant and prominent Egba political leader, Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan (MHR), has warned against the emergence of back-to-back governors from the same local government and ward in Ogun State, describing such a development as inconsistent with the principles of fairness, equity and political inclusion.

Amusan spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the presentation of Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI), before the Ijebu Obas in Ijebu-Ode.

He said the 2027 governorship election presents a historic opportunity to correct what he described as a long-standing political imbalance by allowing the Yewa-Awori people to produce the next governor of Ogun State.

According to him, while every section of the state has the constitutional right to seek political office, equity demands that power should not remain concentrated in one area.

“It will be difficult to justify a situation where both the outgoing governor and another governorship candidate come from the same local government and even the same ward. Such an arrangement raises genuine questions about fairness and equal political opportunities for every part of Ogun State,” he said.

The former governorship aspirant noted that Ogun State’s political stability has largely been sustained through an unwritten understanding that accommodates the two major political blocs of Ijebu/Remo and Egba/Yewa.

He said preserving that political balance remains crucial to maintaining unity, strengthening democracy and giving every section of the state a sense of belonging.

“As an Egba son, I strongly believe that many of us will continue to uphold the long-standing tradition of fairness that has defined Ogun State politics. While every political bloc has the right to pursue its ambitions, the overall interest of Ogun State must always come before sectional interests,” Amusan stated.

Reflecting on the unfolding political realignments ahead of 2027, Amusan said many politicians from Egba had initially believed the historical divisions within Yewa-Awori would once again frustrate the zone’s governorship aspiration.

He, however, observed that recent developments have proved otherwise, describing the unity displayed by political leaders and stakeholders from Yewa-Awori as unprecedented.

“What we are witnessing today is remarkable. The Yewa-Awori people have spoken with one voice behind a single candidate. Even more significant is the convergence of support from past and present political leaders across Ogun State behind that aspiration. That level of consensus is extraordinary and deserves serious consideration,” he said.

Amusan maintained that after more than five decades since the creation of Ogun State, Yewa-Awori has earned both the moral and political right to occupy the governorship seat.

He described the aspiration as a quest for justice, fairness and inclusive governance rather than a sectional agenda, urging traditional rulers, political leaders and residents across the state to support the cause irrespective of ethnic or political affiliations.

“Breaking the over 50-year barrier will not only correct a long-standing political imbalance but will also reinforce the values of justice and inclusiveness upon which our democracy thrives. Beyond the principle of equity, the candidate presented by Yewa-Awori possesses the competence, experience and leadership capacity required to move Ogun State to greater heights,” he added.

The presentation of Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun as Senator Adeola’s running mate before the Ijebu Obas attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, party stakeholders and supporters from across Ogun State, underscoring the growing momentum surrounding the APC’s 2027 governorship campaign.