Prior to the tradition in Nigeria Politics and the Zoning Formula of
Osun state on Governorship election, it is obviously clear that come
2018, it's the turn of Osun West and it's no longer news that the
people of Iwoland are clamoring and have spoken their mind on the need
to produce the next governor in Osun state.
SOURCE:-Oluniyi Hisamotu | Topup9ja Staff
I have always been an advocate of 'best man for the job', irrespective
of where he is from. Obviously, the best man has been made to be the
one the Gods ordain and the principle has led us to a similitude of
tyranny of a ruling group, which determines the best for the job. And
far from that too, best men abound everywhere.
Iwoland has had more than its unfair share of marginalisation in Osun
state. A region with about 500,000 out of 3,423,535 people of Osun
State. According to 2006 census, and with the future projection in
line with some developmental contributions of all indigenes, its
projected Iwoland multiply its previous population by 2.5, a zone with
the most populous local government in the state, third largest economy
in the state. With the largest land mass in the western part of the
state can not be said to be minority. Iwoland comprising of more than
700 villages, 35 wards, 10 major towns, 3 state assemblies, 3 Local
governments and a Federal constituency. Endowed with solid mineral
resources like Gold, Beryl, Laterite, Kaolin, Silica and Granite.
Agricultural produce supported by the land among others are Yam,
cocoa, Cocoa yam, maize, cowpea, beans, palm trees, cotton, cassava
etc. In terms of Human resources, Iwoland is blessed with
professionals from different field and all works of life. Iwoland
having the highest number of PhD holders in Osun and second to Ijesa
land on professorship. In political history of both Old Oyo state and
later Osun state, Iwo zone remain one to reckon with, A onetime 5th
largest city in Nigeria (1931 census) after Ibadan, Lagos City, Kano
city, Ogbomoso, in the old Oyo State, Iwo was third behind Ibadan and
Ogbomoso. Presently in Osun state, Iwo is the headquarter of Osun
west, third most viable economy and major contributor to the state IGR
with the most populous Local government in the state (Iwo central
Local Government, 2006 census)
While the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria divides each
state into three senatorial district, Osun state has been
traditionally divided into 9 zones.
The perceived marginalization is first demonstrated in the sharing of
both state owned and Federal institutions in the state. Osun state is
known for its high investment in education. It has the second highest
number of state-owned higher institutions compared to other states in
South west of the country. The so called OSADEP complex in Iwo is
nothing than a show of lion on the paper. The following are the state
owned institutions in Osun state without any located in IwoLand.
The following are the Institution in Osun State:
1. Osun State College of Education, Ilesha
2. Osun State College of Technology Esa Oke
3. Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun
4. School of health technology, Ilesha
5. School of Nursing Osogbo
6. Osun State University Osogbo
7. Osun State University campus Ikire
8. Osun State University campus Okuku
9. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
None of the federal institutions nor other establishment located in Iwoland.
There is no doubt that producing the next governor will bring
government closer to the people
of Iwoland as it have been seen in recent years in the other zones of the state.
On equity, fairness and justice which have been the basis for other
agitations, in Osun West senatorial district IWOLAND is the only Zone
yet to produce Senator twice. What we the people of IWOLAND is asking
from our dear Ife/ Ijesa, Osogbo_Ila-Ikirun, Ede, Ejigbo and
Gbongan-Ikire brothers is a support that will see gubernatorial flag
bearers from the different parties from IWOLAND or a popular and
unilateral support for parties that do same.
Like in Akwa Ibom, where it was believed at the last governorship
election that it was the turn of the Annangs, people rallied around
Godswill Akpabio who defeated a popular candidate Sam Ewang. It was
this belief in equity and fairness that made politicians in the
opposition party campaign for the PDP candidate in the election.
It is at this point that people need to be reminded that IWO ZONE has
been patient and supportive of other zones for many years of our
co-existence.
During the then led military administration in the 90s when the
question of where to locate the capital of the new state was tabled at
the Agodi, Ibadan office of the military administrator, the IWOLAND
delegates freely supported the wish of the majority to have the state
capital at Osogbo despite her potential of having same located in Iwo.
The zone similarly voted massively for Alh. Bisi Akande and Oyinlola
in support of the
of the Central to have a fair sharing of power in the state.
The incumbent Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from Ife /Ijesa division
also received an overwhelming support from of the Reality city during
both the first and the second term elections. Similarly, Old Oyo State
during the reign of Late Bola Ige as the then governor of Oyo state,
same was melted on his government.
Recently one of our prominent politician name withheld said and I
quote " the Era of betraying the interest of Iwo at the benefit of
self-interest has gone, let work hand in hand to achieve this common
goal, as history and posterity they say does not forgive human deeds
both positive and negative, my generation by the special grace of God
wouldn't be a waste to Iwo and Iwoland of Osun state" united we stand
divided... He said.
I hereby call on all political stakeholders in all reigning political
parties in the state to see themselves as one in fighting the interest
of the land, also extend my call to all other nonsocial political
groups, religious leaders to let come together in fighting the battle.
Though, Traditional Rulers (Obas and Baales) are fathers of all
political parties yet their roles can't be neglected, their role is to
ensure unity and scouting for a suitable candidate from Iwo zone in
all political parties come Osun 2018.
In the words of the renowned Communist, a chartered Accountant, Mr
Adisa Kabir Adeniyi Kulukulu"Iwo's quest to occupy the exalted office
of the state governor is not just political, it is moral. It is a
matter of ethics that if there are four pillars and three have had the
chance; the fourth chance goes to the fourth. It is a decisive time in
the life of Osun State and all must rise to defend what is right and
just.
Leaving you with my mission statement "GREATER IWO KINGDOM IS THE
MISSION, TOGETHER WE WILL INSHA ALLAH/ BY GOD'S GRACE.
GOD BLESS ISALE OBA,
GOD BLESS IWOLAND,
GOD BLESS THE WEST OF OSUN,
GOD BLESS OSUN STATE,
GOD BLESS FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.
As written by
Prince Musbau Semiu Ademola Adedimeji
Prince MSA Abiola adedimeji
Email:
Kashimawoademola@yahoo.com
08036199307
09026682850
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