A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Segun Sowunmi has urged other tribes in Ogun to allow candidates from Ogun West rule the state in 2027.
He said this and other national issues on Thursday when he hosted journalists in Abeokuta.
Sowunmi, who is also the convener of “The Alternative’, an opposition movement, noted that there had been candidates from Ogun East and Central, hence the need for the state to give the others a chance.
According to the Ogun PDP governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, he birthed ‘The Alternative’ to address the dangers posed by tribal rhetoric across the country.
He berated the attitude with which the Egbas (Ogun Central) are approaching 2027 elections, describing it as an “unnecessarily entitled manner”.
He contended that if any tribe should feel entitled, it should be the prerogative of the Yewas who have not tasted governance in the last 40 years.
He added that since the two other tribes in Ogun have governed the state, they should throw their weight behind the third one so as to balance society.
“We’re not under any obligation to dash them the governorship, no! because we gave them tickets many times but they didn’t make it but you have to balance society
“I am an Egba man, I want to be governor but I don’t believe that we have to convert the Egbas into the Fulani of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because they think it is their turn to be governor as if anybody has ever deprived them.
“We have had governors from Egba twice before the Ijebu man that is there now. We should be talking in a way that accommodates all of Ogun and if the Yewa people can negotiate and encourage and demonstrate readiness for 2027, then it may work.
Sowunmi, however cautioned politicians and the electorates to desist from discussing 2027 elections at the moment, noting that it was too early for permutations.
He said more time should be given to the incumbent administration to focus on governance till end of 2025 before 2027 election talks.
“Let the governor concentrate on governance for at least, two years before anyone can chant awalokan in any part of the state.
“There are still fundamental issues in the state that requires attention, therefore anybody who wants to be governor of Ogun state should let us give the state one more year; you can be preparing on the inside and not distracting the governor,” he said. (NAN)
Ogun 2027: Let’s give Yewa a chance – Sowunmi
