Group Seeks Olota’s Support for Yewa-Awori Quest for Governor in 2023
Bidemi Alabi
Ogun West Grassroots Alliance (OWGA) on Monday October 24 visited Olota-in-Council to seek support for the ambition of Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, the gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), who is a Yewa-Awori son.
Olota of Ota Awori Kingdom, Oba (Prof) AbduKabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II, who received the group at his palace said he would make his intention known at the right time with respect to the governorship ambition of Otegbeye who happens to be the only gubernatorial aspirant from Ogun West, NigerianEcho has learnt.
OWGA, an organisation of concerned people of Yewa-Awori that have been at the forefront pushing for the socioeconomic development and political emancipation of the division.
The Convener of the group, Omooba Bolaji Adeniji, who spoke on behalf of the visitors said the time was right for the emergence of an indigene of Ogun West to become Governor.
“Since the creation of Ogun State in1976, no one has been elected as Governor and the time is right now for one of us to be elected. The challenge, among other things, has always been the multiplicity of Yewa-Awori candidates which has made us to lose in the past; especially in 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively”.
“However, without asking anyone to step down, providence has this time around, presented only one candidate for us in Ogun West, which is unprecedented”
“We at OWGA have come together from different tendencies to galvanise support for Barrister Biyi Otegbeye who is the unity candidate from Yewa-Awori land. We are here to seek your prayers and support for the success of this agenda”, Adeniji said.
Another member of the group, Chief (Mrs) Amosa Akintade, the Iya Eto of Ilaro said the people of Ogun West deserved to be given the chance to have one of them elected as Governor.
“Why is our own different? We have three Senatorial districts but only Ogun West has been deprived the chance to produce the Governor while the two, East and Central keep rotating the position among themselves. We cannot be treated as second class citizens in our State, therefore we must rally everyone of us to succeed in this 2023 journey”.
Speaking further, “those who are asking us to wait till 2027 don’t want us to develop,” Akintade noted.
In his response, Olota asked his guests if they had visited Oba Olugbenle on this project. He said he would speak at the right time after due consultation with the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and other stakeholders.
“I am happy to receive you and I have listened to you. However, this is like an ambush because I didn’t know the reason you wanted to meet Olota in Council. If I had known, I would probably have spoken with my brother. Have you met with my brother, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland? I am a part of a whole because a bird cannot fly with one wing, you need to also speak with him on this. I will speak after consulting with him because we are a team in Ogun West”.
“I will give you the needed support but heaven helps those who help themselves. You need to work hard and engage those that need to be spoken with so as to achieve your desire”.
“What you have come for is a noble agenda and should be supported but as monarch, I am not a politician. My role is to bless my children who come to me for support. God is the one that enthrones but you must put all efforts to make your ambition a reality”, Obalanlege said.
Members of the Council who were present include their Royal Majesties, the Ajana of Ijana, the Oloruba of Oruba, Olukotun of Otun and Olukosi of Osi, the Balogun of Ota, Seriki of Ota, Agbaakin of Ota, Odota of Ota among others.
Other members of OWGA present at the meeting include Alhaji Raheem Ajayi, Mrs. Medeyonmi Aderounmu, Hon. Sola Akinosi, Hon. Akeem Fagbemi, Mr. Tunji Akinlade, Dr. Kareem Iyanda, Omooba Tosin Adeluyi and Tunde Aninkan who is the Secretary of the organisation.
