The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has warned residents not to hand over the state to untested politicians in 2027, saying the next governor must be subjected to public examination before the polls.
The monarch said 2027 should not be business as usual where voters pick candidates based on party logos or ethnic sentiments.
Oba Akinyemi made the call on Saturday during the commissioning of his private residence in Obada-Oko area, where he addressed journalists on issues around the forthcoming election.
According to him, the media, civil society and voters must take responsibility for digging into the lives of those aspiring to replace Governor Dapo Abiodun.
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He said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell the electorate, civil society organisations and the press that whoever is going to become the next Governor of Ogun State after Dapo Abiodun should be thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, scrutinised.
“It is very important. We do not have another place to call our state.
“Whoever wants to take over from the governor, irrespective of the political party, should be subjected to thorough scrutiny. The media and civil society organisations should come together to investigate all the candidates thoroughly, including their family backgrounds. It is very, very important.”
The monarch also urged residents to ask critical questions about the individuals they intend to entrust with the governance and heritage of the state.
“Everyone who belongs to this state has to ask questions. We must question whoever we plan to entrust with our heritage and governance,” he said.
“This is no longer just about politics; it is about us and the critical stakeholders in the state. Everyone who belongs here must ensure that, if issues arise, we thoroughly understand the background and credentials of anyone who aspires to lead us.”
Speaking on the crisis rocking the Ogun chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the monarch called for urgent peace talks between the camps led by Olamilekan Adeola and Abayomi Hunye.
He said the rift was already generating “noise and division” in Yewaland and could hurt the party in 2027 if not settled.
The royal father advised party leaders to stop the fight on social media and resolve issues internally, saying, “My advice to them is simple: put your house in order and stop unnecessarily overheating the polity on the internet.”
Oba Akinyemi also asserted that traditional rulers must stay neutral in politics but guide their people to make informed decisions.
“As traditional rulers in the state and having been on the throne for 21 years myself, our role is two-fold. First, we must remain neutral. Second, we must critically scrutinise every candidate, one by one. We must ensure that we do not make the wrong choice,” he said.
He praised the Abiodun-led administration for its projects but said the bar for the next governor must be higher.
“The man coming after him must be tested and trusted. Ogun deserves nothing less,” Oba Akinyemi concluded.
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