During the Osun Governorship Debate Organised by Channels Television on Sunday, zoning was one of the issues discussed with candidates from the West Senatorial District insisting it should be the turn of the zone to govern the state, and others disagreeing.
The debate featured the candidates of the of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Fatai Akinbade; Action Democratic Party (ADP), Moshood Adeoti; All Progressives Congress (APC), Gboyega Oyetola; and Social Democratic Party (SDP), Iyiola Omisore.
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, was invited for the debate but he failed to show up.
Read the responses of the candidates when asked about zoning in the state.
ADC’s Akinbade
I think it all borders on equity. When this state was created, I think everybody was very hopeful that everything will be equitably distributed. But for the Central (Senatorial District) to have already spent 20 years and the East – already eight years is running out. Everybody believes that it should come to our Senatorial District (West). It is not that we do not have the materials; we have very qualified people and we believe we deserve to have a shot.
ADP’s Adeoti
It is an open secret that since 1999, when this republic came into being, West Senatorial District has been deprived of governing this state. In 1999, Chief Bisi Akande was there; he governed the state for four years. We in the Alliance for Democracy then had it in mind that Chief Akande to go for the second term but man proposes and God disposes. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola won the election in 2003 and he was there for four years… We believe that after 11-and-a-half years for Central and eight years for the East Senatorial District, it is the turn – that is what people are clamouring for – of the West Senatorial District.
APC’s Oyetola
I usually don’t like to get into this controversy, to be honest with you. But if you look at the historical perspective of the state, there is no time zoning has ever been adopted. Even when the state was part of Oyo State, we had a situation where Chief Bola Ige was the governor, Chief (Sunday) Afolabi was the deputy and Chief Bisi Akande was the Secretary. Progressives usually go for the best anywhere it is found. In any case, it is important for all the zones to participate actively in the choice of who rules the state. If the best comes from West or East or Centre, so be it. If Nigerians could be mayors in advanced countries, let the brilliant people in the West (Senatorial District) come out.
PDP’s Omisore
Osun State came into being; the first governor of Osun State came from the West, second and third from the Central, fourth one from the East. That zoning formula has concluded. Whoever becomes governor now, starts the new zoning… I believe that zoning is only myopic, lazy and mediocritic.
