The message coming from across Oyo State’s political landscape is loud, sarcastic, and impossible to ignore: “Being born in Ibadan no longer guarantees you Agodi.”
🎯 The Myth of Ibadan’s Political Birthright
Since 1999, Ibadan-born politicians have had a near-monopoly on the state’s top seat. From Rashidi Ladoja to the late Abiola Ajimobi, from Seyi Makinde to other big-name contenders, the city has produced more governors than all other zones combined.
Ibadan’s defenders often cite its population size, its cosmopolitan nature, and its strategic importance as reasons it “deserves” to lead. After all, the city is the capital, the economic hub, and the cultural pride of the Yoruba Southwest.
But here’s the twist: the rest of Oyo is no longer buying that argument.
Reports from The Guardian Nigeria and Independent.ng show increasing agitation from other geopolitical zones — Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ibarapa, and Ogbomoso — calling for power rotation and equitable representation. Grassroots groups like Egbe Ajosepo fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa have openly described Ibadan’s continued dominance as “a betrayal of fairness, equity, and justice.”
Put plainly: the Ibadan political empire that once looked untouchable is facing an unprecedented legitimacy crisis.
🗳️ The Numbers Lie — Ibadan Isn’t as Monolithic as Claimed
Yes, Ibadan is huge. But let’s get real: that doesn’t mean every voter in Ibadan votes for Ibadan-born candidates.
The city is now a melting pot of residents from across the state — and indeed from other parts of Nigeria. Many non-indigenes have built their lives there, own property, and are active in local politics. So when politicians boast of Ibadan’s “massive voting bloc,” they forget that bloc is now mixed with thousands of Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa voters who don’t necessarily see themselves as beholden to Ibadan’s political elite.
As legal practitioner and rising political voice Amofin Adeoye told journalists recently,
“I can say I’m more Ibadan than some of those using the Ibadan agenda for political gain. I was born and raised in Ibadan, but the question of who becomes governor should be about development and capacity, not birthplace.”
That quote captures the growing frustration among both Ibadan indigenes and non-indigenes who are tired of tribal tagging being used to corner political power.
🌍 The Rise of Equity-Centered Politics
The real movement in Oyo politics today is not about Ibadan versus others — it’s about equity.
Oke-Ogun leaders have already fired the first shot. Traditional rulers, community groups, and political associations have openly declared 2027 as the “turn of Oke-Ogun.” In their view, the zone has been politically shortchanged for too long, despite being the state’s food basket and one of its most resource-rich regions.
This argument is gaining traction fast. Even in Oyo town, Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa, the same sentiment is spreading: “Let another zone lead for once.”
Political scientists observing the trend note that the push for power rotation is a natural response to decades of dominance. It’s the same pattern seen in many Nigerian states — a cyclical demand for inclusiveness whenever one region monopolizes leadership.
And truthfully, Oyo is overdue for such a recalibration.
🧩 The Endless List of Ibadan Aspirants
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Ibadan’s over-crowded governorship field.
As 2027 approaches, the list of aspirants with Ibadan roots keeps expanding — Engineer Dotun Sanusi, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Chief Adegoke Adegboyega, Hon. Odidiomo, and Senator Teslim Folarin are just a few of the big names already in the race.
It’s impressive, yes. But it’s also political overkill. With too many contenders from one city, votes get split, egos clash, and alliances fracture. Meanwhile, smaller zones like Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa quietly build unity around fewer candidates with stronger grassroots support.
The irony? Ibadan’s strength might become its own undoing.
💬 The Politics of Perception
In politics, perception often outweighs population. The growing perception now is that Ibadan politicians see leadership as an entitlement rather than a responsibility.
You hear it in beer parlours and community meetings:
“Must it always be Ibadan?”
“Are we not all Oyo State people?”
“Don’t we deserve a turn too?”
These questions have become daily conversations across the state. And once perception shifts against you in politics, even the biggest war chest can’t save the day.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, though Ibadan-born, has maintained strong support from Oke-Ogun and other zones by prioritizing projects across the state. That inclusive approach may, ironically, pave the way for a non-Ibadan successor.
⚖️ Lessons for Ibadan Aspirants
The Ibadan elite must now accept that 2027 will not be business as usual. If they truly want to remain relevant, they’ll have to:
Run on ideas, not identity. Voters want development plans, not tribal pride.
Build bridges across zones. No single city can win Oyo’s governorship alone anymore.
Acknowledge the power of Oke-Ogun. The region’s population and unity can no longer be ignored.
Address equity openly. Stop dodging the zoning debate — engage it and offer balanced proposals.
Those who cling to “Ibadan first” politics will likely be punished at the polls. The 2027 election is shaping up to be a referendum on inclusion.
🔥 Reality Check: Oyo Belongs to Everyone
Ibadan may be the face of Oyo, but it is not the soul. From the cocoa fields of Iseyin to the markets of Ogbomoso and the hills of Ibarapa, Oyo State is a mosaic of cultures and contributions.
No one region should own the key to Agodi House forever. The state’s future depends on shared leadership — not inherited dominance.
The people have started speaking through conversations, rallies, and online debates. The once-quiet demand for equity is now an unstoppable wave. Whether the major parties like it or not, 2027 will test their commitment to fairness.
🧠 The Bottom Line
The 2027 governorship race in Oyo State won’t be about where you were born — it will be about what you can deliver.
Ibadan’s size, influence, and prestige are undeniable, but entitlement politics has reached its expiry date. As one political commentator recently quipped,
“Ibadan doesn’t need to lose power to gain respect — it just needs to share it.”
And that might be the wisest thing anyone has said about Oyo politics in years.
So yes — sorry, Ibadan — the governorship seat isn’t a family inheritance anymore.
In 2027, the people will choose capacity over geography, competence over ancestry, and fairness over familiarity. The political table has turned, and for the first time in a long time, every zone finally has a realistic shot at Agodi.
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