“SRJ statewide popularity & acceptability, and political sagacity, electoral experience and administrative exposure, federal and national connection, eloquence, brilliance & intelligence, youthfulness and vibrancy, deep understanding of Osun challenges & solutions and least to say, the under-rated Osogbo agenda” – these were my exact words in my Series 01. Everything combined is SRJ`s USP, which makes him outstanding for the race ahead. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home”, I want to champion a unique and distinct Osogbo agenda that aligns with our political, historical, cultural, and democratic values. It is always better and easier to leverage one`s core strengths to achieve goals. I have come across numerous articles advocating for Osogbo candidacy, and I intend to focus on the concrete actions highlighted in those educative materials. You must always use everything you have to get what you want.
Osogbo Oroki,
Osogbo oroki asala omo onile obi,
Osogbo ilu aro, omo aro dede bi okun,
Aare o peta arepeta mogba o,
Osun osogbo pele o, epele o eyin olomoyoyo,
Osogbo oroki gbe onile, otun gbe ajoji,
Osogbo oroki omo yeye osun,
Yeye atewogbeja , aniyun labebe,
Oroki ti iba eja nla soro, ti ran iko nise,
Osun Osogbo, rere ni o sun fun mi,
Oroki onile obi, alaro omo asala,
Edumare bawa da Ilu Osogbo si,
Ase!!!
Translated thus;
Osogbo Oroki,
Osogbo, the sacred land of kola-nut owners,
Osogbo, the town of dyeing, children of dyers as constant as the ocean,
Aare, the tireless one, a hardworking leader with wisdom,
Osun Osogbo, we greet you with reverence, the gentle spirit of joy and abundance,
Osogbo, the land of Oroki, home to its people and welcoming to strangers alike,
Osogbo, the Oroki of the beloved child of Osun,
Mother Osun, the one who wields the sword with grace, the nurturer who carries the baby with care,
The Oroki of Osogbo is one that could command the great fish to act, sending its messengers on errands,
Osun Osogbo, may you bring good fortune and blessings to me,
The Oroki of kola-nut owners, the dyers who stand resilient,
Edumare, continue to bless and preserve the town of Osogbo,
So be it!!!
I pay homage and offer my respect to our revered King, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, the Ataoja of Osogboland. May your reign be long and prosperous, Kabiesi. I extend the same honour and courtesy to the high and senior chiefs, elders, leaders, elites, religious leaders, social & political stakeholders, and all who contribute to the spirit and strength of Osogboland, citizens and residents, especially sons and daughters of this historical land, home and abroad.
If the rich history of Osun is to be preserved, Osogboland stands at a vantage position as its sole guardian. This is a statement of fact. However, the current wave of EDENISATION sweeping through every corner, across the nooks and crannies of the state, fills the heart with fear and uncertainty. One can not help but wonder if we would wake up one day and see that a letter has been signed and sent to Abuja requesting the change of state capital from Osogbo to Ede. With ANJA in power, anything can happen. Ask the people of Ido Osun. They were caught unawares. Osogbo and environs must not be allowed to become an alien memory to their own people. Osogbo will not become a forbidden & strange land. Asè!!!
Let me borrow a phrase from your praises and panegyrics: “Osogbo, the land of Oroki, home to its people and welcoming to outsiders”. Over the years, you have welcomed and supported many strangers who went on to become governors because of your population and influence. Whoever wins in your land goes with the numbers and often emerges victorious overall. You have served others since 1999. Now, it is time to support one of your own. A son of Osogbo, who stands out as a leader and shining star in today’s democratic Nigeria, seeks to hoist a flag across 3,763 polling stations in Osun, about 500 of which are on Osogboland If the people of this great city of Osogbo unite, remain one and indivisible, and give their full 100% support, while also building on strong partnerships and collaboration, rewarding alliances with neighbouring communities, villages, towns and cities across the state, Osogbo can achieve something extraordinary by lifting this embargo.
From the streets of Oke Baale to Isale Osun, Oja Oba, Oke Ayepe to Ayetoro to Alekuwodo to Kola Balogun, Isale Agbaara, Itaa Olokan, Ota Efun, Oke Oniti, Oluode, Fagbesa, Ilesa Garage, Biket, Stadium, Mallam Tope, Oke Fia, Ogo Oluwa, Station Road, Ita elelede, Odi Olowo, Ajegunle, Kelebe, Egbatedo, Igbona, Omobolanle, Estate, Oke Ijetu, Oroki Estate, Fiwasaye, etc – this is your project, make it sellable and acceptable, own it.
#OsogboitIsOurTurn
#OsogboAwaLokan
In this 4th Republic, the only time someone not from Ibadan became the governor of Oyo State was because his ancestral roots and birthplace, Ogbomoso, supported him with everything they had In 2007, the Late Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala won decisively and convincingly in Ogbomosoland, which gave him more than enough votes to offset his losses in Ibadan. Similarly, Osogboland has numerical strength with strong determination and courageous heart to confront any town electorally. This is exactly what the people of Owo did for the Late Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu in the 2020 governorship election, winning all the PUs in his hometown, helping him defeat Eyitayo Jegede who hails from Akure. If Osogboland and her people unite for this sole purpose in 2026, it would make history. For the first time in 34 years, since the creation of Osun State, an Osogbo son would become governor during the reign of Oba Olanipekun. Congratulations in advance, Kabiesi.
We need to make it clear to this current and coming generations that education is richly valuable and not a scam. Education no be scam. Between 1976 and 1983, many children of Nigeria's political leaders used the country's wealth and resources to travel abroad, to increase their academic capacity, and gain knowledge and skills to grow intellectually. Sons and daughters of leaders like Shehu Shagari, Bola Ige, Olusola Saraki, Alex Ekwueme, Ayoola Adeleke, Adamu Ciroma, Solomon Lar, Jim Nwobodo, Samuel Ogbemudia, and Richard Akinjide went abroad, succeeded, and returned as professionals in their various fields. Today, they are thriving successfully because of the opportunities they embraced. If someone, Ade Onijo - had such a privileged chance, wasted it, and returned to Nigeria after 40 years without even a basic diploma or associate degree certificate, it is deeply disappointing and a big shame. There is a 40-year gap (1977 – 2017) spent overseas in the governor`s profile, which is unaccounted for. This reflects the unfortunate reality we face in Osun State. Is this our fate? You will be utterly embarrassed if the Osun state governor is reading a prepared speech. This situation is like a blind man leading those who can see. Must we allow such to continue? Such leadership can not recognize or appreciate intelligence or excellence and do not grow beyond their mediocrity. You can not give what you do not have.
If we have a son who has now become a national role model despite coming from a very modest and humble background, whose father started as a bricklayer and later became a transport entrepreneur, and a mother who sold pap, without access to Nigeria`s milk and honey went through the rigours and worked hard to complete his education from primary school to university level, even beyond, achieving remarkable success, broke all academic ceilings to attain enviable heights and such is requesting for our support to lead us, it calls for genuine retrospection. SRJ, as an exceptional lawyer, moved into public service, serving the people of Osun state selflessly. He rose from being a two-term commissioner to a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic and now serves as the national secretary of the country's largest political party, APC, gaining experience, building leadership skills and exposing himself to public administration along the way. Supporting such a person as a governor is worth considering.
His chronicles of numerous achievements are in the public domain. His years of hard work, creativity, and dedication have helped him grow intellectually and become more prepared for a bigger role, like the office of the governor in Osun. When you see someone with great talent with a brilliant mind, you should recognize and acknowledge it. He is SRJ. Have you noticed that the Osun PDP is leading the criticism against him? Why? If contesting to win the 2026 election is our goal in Osun APC, we must look in the direction of Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru PhD. In my opinion and assessment, he remains the best amongst the packs, our best choice. With my recent engagement, even his haters and critics agree he remains a thorn in the flesh of the ruling party and government in Osun state when he scales through the hurdles of becoming the candidate. You don't use paper, plastic, or wood to put out a fire. You must use detergent water. This matches the old wise saying, "Water quenches fire." SRJ is the water solution that will put out the PDP's fire of retrogression, backwardness in Osun in 2026. Know this and experience peace of mind. Join the SRJ movement today in your local government and identify with the winning team. Thank you for reading.
#OsogboitIsOurTurn
#OsogboAwaLokan
***Samson Owoyokun is a registered voter at PU 02, Ward 05, Ilesa West LG, Osun State. Owoyokun served as the Head of Administration in the 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial election for Ilerioluwa Campaign Organisation and was appointed SSA, Special Duties to Former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola from July 2020 – November 2022
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