The famous Ibadan political spirit of “Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se” remains relevant today, Mogaji Gbolagade Moshood Akere, President of the Ibadan Royal Advancement Forum, has declared.
Akere questioned why Ibadan people should be criticised for choosing to support one of their own ahead of the 2027 elections.
He spoke against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the reported endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde by some Ibadan Mogajis.
According to Akere, the issue should not be whether every Mogaji in Ibadanland was consulted before the endorsement, but whether those who made the declaration have the right to make their own political choice.
He pointed to Ibadan’s political history as evidence that the people have previously rallied behind one of their own.
“Our fathers did it in 1983. They rallied around one of their own, Chief Victor Omololu Olunloyo, against the incumbent governor, Chief Bola Ige. The spirit was Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se.
“If they had the right to make that choice then, why should our generation be told that we cannot choose our own today?” he asked.
Akere said supporting an Ibadan indigene should not automatically be interpreted as hostility towards other candidates.
“If we are truly the sons of the soil, what is wrong with supporting our own? Is there any law that says an Ibadan Mogaji cannot endorse an Ibadan son because some other Mogajis may disagree?”
He stressed that Ibadanland has never been politically uniform and that different political opinions can exist without destroying the unity of the people.
“An endorsement does not have to be unanimous before it becomes an endorsement. Those who support Makinde have spoken for themselves. Those who disagree are also free to speak for themselves. That is democracy,” he said.
Akere also cautioned against using traditional titles to restrict the political freedom of their holders.
He said traditional leadership and individual political choice can coexist, provided political differences are expressed peacefully and responsibly.
“Let us not kill the spirit of Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se. Our fathers exercised their political choice. We too have the right to exercise ours,” Akere declared.
He added that ultimately, no traditional group or political organisation could determine the outcome of the 2027 election, as the power to elect the next governor remains with the people.
“Let Ibadan speak. Let every Mogaji speak. Let every citizen speak. Then let the people decide,” Akere said.
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