OTA-AWORI – Oba (Prof) AbduKabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, Lanlege Ekun II, the Olota of Ota-Awori Kingdom, has advised members of Ogun West Grassroots Alliance (OWGA) to put all their efforts towards making their ambition a reality.
The monarch gave the advice on Monday, October 24, 2022 when members of OWGA paid the Olota-in-Council a courtesy visit at Oba Lanlege Palace, Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota local government of Ogun State.
Obalanlege stated that, “What you have come for is a noble agenda and should be supported, but as monarch, I am not a politician. My role is to bless my children who come to me for support.
“God is the one that enthrones, but you must put all efforts to make your ambition a reality”.
Members of OWGA’s mission to the Olota-in-Council was there to seek their support for the ambition of Barr. Biyi Otegbeye, a Yewa-Awori son, who is the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
While receiving the group, in his palatial palace, Obalanlege noted that he would make his intention known at the right time with respect to the governorship ambition of Barr. Otegbeye who happens to be the only gubernatorial aspirant from Ogun West.
Olota also asked his guests (OWGA) if they had visited Oba (Dr) Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland on this project.
The monarch however said he would speak at the right time after due consultation with the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and other stakeholders.
His words, “I am happy to receive you and I have listened to you. However, this is like an ambush because I didn’t know the reason you wanted to meet Olota in Council. If I had known, I would probably have spoken with my brother. Have you met with my brother, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland? I am a part of a whole because a bird cannot fly with one wing, you need to also speak with him on this. I will speak after consulting with him because we are a team in Ogun West.
“I will give you the needed support but heaven helps those who help themselves. You need to work hard and engage those that need to be spoken with so as to achieve your desire.
“What you have come for is a noble agenda and should be supported, but as monarch, I am not a politician. My role is to bless my children who come to me for support. God is the one that enthrones but you must put all efforts to make your ambition a reality”, Obalanlege said.
In his speech on the occasion, the conveigner of the group, Omooba Bolaji Adeniji, who spoke on behalf of OWGA said the time was ripe for the emergence of an indigene of Ogun West to become Governor in the state.
His words, “Since the creation of Ogun State in1976, no one has been elected as Governor from Ogun West, and the time is right now for one of us to be elected.
“The challenge, among other things, has always been the multiplicity of Yewa-Awori candidates which has made us to lose in the past; especially in 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively.
“However, without asking anyone to step down, providence has this time around, presented only one candidate for us in Ogun West, which is unprecedented.
“We at OWGA have come together from different tendencies to galvanise support for Barrister Biyi Otegbeye who is the unity candidate from Yewa-Awori land.
“We are here to seek your prayers and support for the success of this agenda”.
Another member of the group, Chief (Mrs) Amosa Akintade, the Iya Eto of Ilaro stated that people of Ogun West deserved to be given the chance to have one of them elected as Governor in the state.
Her words, “Why is our own different? We have three Senatorial districts, but only Ogun West has been deprived the chance to produce the Governor while the two, East and Central keep rotating the position among themselves.
“We cannot be treated as second class citizens in our State, therefore we must come together as one entity to succeed in this 2023 journey.
“Those who are asking us to wait till 2027 just don’t want us to develop”.
Members of the Olota-in-Council who were present included their Royal Majesties, the Ajana of Ijana, the Oloruba of Oruba, Olukotun of Otun and Olukosi of Osi, the Balogun of Ota, Seriki of Ota, Agbaakin of Ota, Odota of Ota among others.
Other members of OWGA present at the meeting include Alhaji Raheem Ajayi, Mrs. Medeyonmi Aderounmu, Hon. Sola Akinosi, Hon. Akeem Fagbemi, Mr. Tunji Akinlade, Dr. Kareem Iyanda, Omooba Tosin Adeluyi and Tunde Aninkan who is the Secretary of the organisation.
OWGA is an organisation of concerned people of Yewa-Awori that have been at the forefront, pushing for the socio-economic development and political emancipation of the region.