With the 2019 election year drawing close, the political atmosphere in Oyo State is warming up with various aspirants’ declaration of interest in running the state, as well as clamours for the Governorship position by some zones in the state who claim to be marginalized. An Honourable member of the Oyo State House of Assembly has however predicted that the apex seat in the state will be clinched by a candidate from Ibadan zone.

Hon Joshua Oyebamiji who is representing Akinyele 1 Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly made this prediction during an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on its online television programme Community Today. The lawmaker in his opinion, stated that next governor of the state is likely to come from the Ibadan administrative zone seeing that the zone is has about 53.7 per cent of the state’s population.

The lawmaker who is also the Chairman House Committee on Information gave his opinion in reaction to clamours by the people of Oke-Ogun zone who claim to have been denied the opportunity of producing a governor under the democratic dispensation, as well as agitations for power shift by the people of Oyo Central Senatorial District who are claiming to be marginalised.

CEOAfrica had recently reported about a press briefing held by the Liberation Movement of Oyo Central Senatorial District where the group expressed disaffection at being side-lined from occupying the apex position of Oyo state since the Fourth Republic. The group had called for an action against sectorial marginalisation prevalent in the state’s political scene and had called for a power shift to their zone.

                (L-R) Hon Joshua Oyebamiji and Mr Cletus Ilobanafor at the Interview

Expressing his own opinion about the race for the governorship position in the state as well as the agitations from different zones, Hon Oyebamiji said “If I will be selfish, I will say that it is the turn of Oyo Central. But what I know is that majority will have their way, while minority will only have a say. By my own calculation, I foresee that Ibadan will have their way this time. If you want to go rotational, Ibadan should have it twice before giving it to another zone, probably Oke-Ogun.”

Justifying his position, the lawmaker stated that the agitating zones have had their fair share of representation in both the Senatorial positions and the State Executive positions. He said “Senator Buhari came from Ogbomosho; Oyo Central produced a Senator; that is on Senatorial Position. Now, the Deputy Governor and the Deputy Speaker of Oyo House of Assembly are from Oke-Ogun and the Speaker of the House is from Ibarapa.”

Future Political Ambitions

On his future political ambitions, Hon Oyebamiji stated that his desire as a politician is to remain relevant to his people, adding that he can maintain his political relevance in either elective of selective political positions. He said “I will struggle for elective positions but if they don’t come, I will wait for political appointments.” The lawmaker however revealed that there is a possibility in him returning as a member of the state’s Assembly or venturing higher to the Federal House of Representatives.

He however noted that destiny and good luck may favour him beyond his expectation. Citing the lucky streak experienced by Ex-Governor Alao Akala when he became that Deputy Governor, the lawmaker said “Akala was not struggling to be the Deputy Governor, however, a lucky occurrence placed him in the seat. Destiny will pave way for you when it wants. So, if destiny calls on me to be the Governor, who am I to say no to my God.”

Hon Oyebamiji (Seated Left) fkanked by Journalists present at the Interview