The importance of Oyo State in National Politics dates back to the advent of Democracy and Party Politics.
While Lagos was seat of power in the center during the first Republic, Ibadan, now capital of Oyo State was the seat of power of the Western Region.
It is safe to say that Oyo had been home to highly cerebral and flamboyant politicians who have made great marks on the sand of history.
When you consider the exploits of likes of Ladoke Akintola, Adegoke Adelabu, Adisa Akinloye, Richard Akinjide, Lamidi Adedibu and many others, Oyo State never lacked characters who have played important roles in National Politics.
Unfortunately, activities around the seat of power, since Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu became President suggests that Oyo State is being relegated in National politics.
A couple of days ago, President Tinubu held a meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa with the Governors who held office in 1999 like himself.
A careful look at the list of those at the meeting shows that Oyo state was not represented.
It is common knowledge that late Pa. Lam Adesina who was Oyo State Governor in 1999 is no more but his Deputy, Barr Iyiola Oladokun is very much around and I strongly feel he should have been invited to represent Oyo State.
This is necessary because President Tinubu have been meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who is an opposition Governor.
I understand that the meeting with the former Governors transcends political lines, but having it in mind that his party, the APC in Oyo lost the Governorship election to the PDP, the opportunity of Barr Iyiola Oladokun attending such a meeting would have created avenues for discussions on sundry issues.
The lack of representation of oyo state actually provoked my consciousness to other activities of President Tinubu’s Government as it affects Oyo State.
The two Chambers of the National Assembly are done with the election of their Leaders.
Surprisingly, no Law maker from Oyo state was considered to hold Leadership positions even though, there are eminently qualified Legislators on both Chambers who showed interest.
As if that is not enough, the Leaderships of both Chambers have released names of Chairmen and members of critical Committees and so far, Oyo State is still missing in action.
The President have made some appointments from Oyo State no doubt but such appointments could be likened to a needle without a tread.
I am not sure the president consulted Party Leaders and Stakeholders before making the appointments.
It is safe that the appointments were made based on personal relationship.
It is strange that till as we speak, no delegation from the President’s political party from Oyo state have been pictured meeting with him in Abuja or anywhere for that matter and one have lost counts of the President hosting Governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP!
The platform under which the President contested is the APC.
If Leaders of the Party in Oyo State are being isolated, it will be read as an isolation of the state.
No matter what agreement the President had with Makinde, he could not take the position of the President’s political party.
Leaders and Stakeholders of the Party in Oyo State should be an integral part of activities at the top.
No matter what the reason is, their is no justification for the ostracizing of the Party structures in Oyo State.
There is equally no justification for the zero patronage Legislators from Oyo State got from the National Assembly.
President Tinubu holds it a duty to ensure that Oyo state occupies Its rightful position in his government.
Com. SOLA ABEGUNDE.
