By: Pst. Favour Adewoyin

published by MD DOLLY

30/07/2025

The Òkèògùn Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), the umbrella body for socio-cultural associations in the Òkèògùn region of Oyo State, has flagged off a strategic advocacy and engagement tour across the ten Local Government Areas that make up the region.

The purpose of this high-level visitation is to deliver an account of stewardship, brief the people on recent political and developmental efforts, and consolidate grassroots support on critical regional agendas — with special focus on the long-demanded creation of Òkèògùn State, the rotation of the governorship, and other pressing socio-political issues.

The tour, which began on Monday, July 28, 2025, commenced with visits to Ìṣẹ́yìn and Ìtẹsiwájú LGAs. Leading the delegation in the absence of the President, Alhaji Ahmed Raji, SAN, and Vice Chairman, Mr. Femi Adeyanju, was Dr. Bimpe Adéróunmú (General Secretary). He was accompanied by Pst. Favour Adéwoyin (Assistant Secretary), Alhaji Bayo Raji (Financial Secretary), Mr. Leke Oladeji, Esq. (Legal Adviser), and ACP Funke Ladigbolu (Chief Whip).

Now, let us take the report updates of ODCF one after the other:

1. State Creation - Òkèògùn Pọ́nḿbélé and the Call for Equity:

Addressing large audiences at the well-attended town hall meetings in Ìṣẹ́yìn and Òtu, Dr. Adéróunmú revealed that Òkèògùn’s proposal for state creation was presented at the recent Senate and House of Representatives constitutional amendment sittings in Lagos. Originally excluded from the official list of presenters, the ODCF insisted on its right to speak, eventually securing a slot the next day.

According to him, while other regions like Ijebu and Ibadan came with advance notice and elaborate delegations, Òkèògùn’s memorandum stood out as the most comprehensive, with endorsements from traditional rulers, religious bodies (CAN, League of Imams, traditionalists), LG authorities, professional associations, and community leaders.

Dr. Adéróunmú affirmed that Òkèògùn seeks to create Òkèògùn Pọ́nḿbélé, comprising all ten LGAs, with Agúnrégé proposed as the state capital. The ODCF reiterated that Òkèògùn has no intention to merge with other regions, citing its historical precedence, resource base, and cohesive identity.

2. Political Equity and Governorship Rotation:

Speaking on political equity, Pst. Favour Adéwoyin highlighted the ongoing marginalisation of Òkèògùn in the politics of Oyo State. Despite being a key stakeholder, Òkèògùn has never produced a governor since the pre-independence Western Region era.

He noted the bold efforts of Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹsiwájú Gbogbo Wa, an advocacy group, which has charged all Òkèògùn aspirants to secure the gubernatorial ticket of major political parties ahead of 2027 — insisting that no aspirant should return home with a deputy or party chairman slot.

The report also emphasised the imbalance in the Ọ̀yọ̀ North Senatorial District, where three LGAs of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ have historically been producing the Senator for three terms above the ten LGAs of Òkèògùn. ODCF declared that the next senatorial seat must be non-negotiable for the region.

Furthermore, community members were strongly advised to reject vote-buying, resist token inducements, and use their votes as tools for regional liberation in the 2027 elections.

3. Broader Developmental Issues and Community Recommendations:

In addition to political matters, the ODCF presented reports and received feedback on:

i. Security and Boundary Adjustments:

ii. University of Agriculture and Technology (FUNATO), Òkehò.

iii. Mineral Resources Exploitation.

iv. Council of Obas Reforms.

v. Local Government Autonomy.

4. Suggestions and resolutions from the grassroots included:

i. Development of a comprehensive Òkèògùn Master Plan.

ii. Revamping Ikere Gorge Dam.

iii. Improving voter registration and mobilisation.

iv. Addressing Local Government delineation anomalies.

v. Creating a Non-Indigenes Union.

vi. Integrating local vocational institutions into FUNATO.

vii. Harnessing and processing local mineral deposits.

viii. Scaling up political awareness campaigns.

ix. Ensuring legislative accountability.

x. Encouraging profitable agriculture using Òkèògùn’s fertile soil.

xi. Prioritising traditional rulers’ welfare.

xii. Calling on sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun, home and in the diaspora to invest back home.

xiii. Promoting quality education as a pillar of the future.

5. Royal Support and Community Endorsements:

i. Ìṣẹ́yìn:

At Ìṣẹ́yìn, the event drew high-profile attendees, including:

HRM Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III (Aseyin of Ìṣẹ́yìn, Ajirotutu I)

Alawaye of Awaye

Ìkọ̀làbà of Ìṣẹ́yìn

Chairman of IDU and Iseyin LG

Religious, traditional, youth leaders and the general public that almost filled the hall.

ii. Òtu:

At Òtu, dignitaries included:

HRM Oba Sunday Adepoju (Oniro of Òtu).

Oníbisẹ̀, Onísìà, Onírò of Komu, and Chairmen as well as representatives from towns including Otu, Okaka, Babaode, Ipapo, Oke-Amu, Igbojaye, Iwoye, and Komu.

Finally, copies of the official Memorandum titled "Request for Creation of Òkèògùn State Out of the Present Oyo State" were distributed.

6. Next Steps in the Tour:

The ODCF tour continues, with visits scheduled for Kajola and Iwajowa LGAs today, Atisbo and Saki West on Wednesday, and Orelope, Irepo, and Olorunsogo on Thursday. With 20% of the engagement already covered, the team expressed confidence in the momentum building across Òkèògùn.

For more information, contact:

Pst. Favour Adéwoyin

Assistant Secretary, Òkèògùn Development Consultative Forum (ODCF) Email: [favouradewoyin81@gmail.com]

Dr. Adebimpe Aderounmu, General Secretary, Òkèògùn Development Consultative Forum (ODCF) Email: Oba.adebimpe@gmai.com

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watch an interview below 👇