History is not just a record of the past, it is a guide for the present.
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‎In 1983, a single statement widely attributed to Chief Bola Ige, that Ibadan indigenes were not considered worthy of producing a governor, ignited the collective consciousness of the Ibadan people. What began as a political slight became a profound question of dignity, identity, and self-worth. Ibadan did not respond with mere rhetoric; it responded with unity and resolve. The people rallied behind Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, turning the election into a powerful affirmation that Ibadan would speak for itself and stand for its own. That moment remains a living lesson: when the city’s pride is challenged, its people rise.
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‎Today, history is repeating its call.
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‎The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the ancient city, has drawn a firm and unambiguous line: Ibadan’s political space belongs to Ibadan people. This declaration is not ceremonial or advisory, it is a mandate rooted in the same spirit that defined 1983. That mandate is now being tested in the Ibadan North West/Ibadan South West Federal Constituency.
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‎In this constituency, qualified, competent, and committed sons and daughters of the soil, educated, culturally rooted, and deeply connected to the aspirations of the people, are ready and willing to serve. Yet, there is a determined push to impose a non-indigene as the representative in the House of Representatives. Rotimi Ajanaku is not an Ibadan man. That is not an insult; it is a statement of fact. His continued pursuit of the seat, in defiance of the CCII’s clear position against non-indigenes contesting in Ibadan, represents a direct challenge to the cultural and political sovereignty of the Ibadan people.
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‎Leadership is not merely about qualifications on paper. It is about connection, identity, trust, and accountability. A true representative must understand the nuances of Ibadan’s traditions, feel the pulse of its streets, and remain answerable to its people long after the elections are over. Political tourists, those who arrive with resources and ambition but without generational roots or organic ties, cannot adequately shoulder this responsibility. Allowing them to colonise Ibadan’s constituencies, especially when home-grown talent abounds, is not democratic pragmatism; it is an injury to the city’s dignity and a squandering of its enormous potential.
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‎Ibadan has a proud history of producing leaders of national and continental stature. From its foundational role in Yoruba politics to its consistent contributions to governance in Oyo State and beyond, the city has never lacked capable hands. To outsource its voice at this critical moment would be to validate the very notion that was rejected in 1983, that Ibadan sons and daughters are somehow inadequate or unworthy to lead.
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‎This position is not tribalism; it is stewardship. It is the responsible exercise of a people’s right to determine who speaks for them in the corridors of power. Every decision made now, in party offices, ward levels, and among stakeholders, will signal whether Ibadan chooses to defend its heritage or once again yields its birthright.
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‎As the 2027 electoral season approaches, the message must ring clear:
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‎Ibadan North-West and Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency must be represented by a true Ibadan indigene, someone who belongs to us, understands us, and will speak with our authentic voice.
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‎We will not be sidelined.
‎We will not be undervalued.
‎We will not outsource our future.
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‎As it was in 1983, so it must be now: Ibadan will stand for Ibadan. On the mandate of Ibadan indigenes, we remain firm. We say no to external imposition. We say yes to identity, dignity, and rightful representation.