Reading through a recent discussion on power-sharing among the major zones in Ogun State, one cannot help but attempt to set the record straight. Why all this controversy sef?
The decision to aspire and throw one’s hat into the political ring to govern a politically sophisticated state like Ogun comes with deep considerations for success—except, of course, if the person just wan “test water for seresere” or pursue some hidden agenda based on faint calculations.
Let’s first review the historical list of past Military Administrators and democratically elected Governors of Ogun State since its creation on February 3, 1976. This will help us understand the “koko” behind the sacred Pendulum Shift Power Sharing (PSPS) arrangement:
Past Administrators and Governors of Ogun State
- Saidu Ayodele Balogun
Military Governor
March 1976 – July 1978 - Harris Eghagha
Military Governor
July 1978 – October 1979 - Chief Olabisi Onabanjo
Governor (Ijebu/Remo)
October 1979 – December 1983 - Oladipo Diya
Military Governor
January 1984 – August 1985 - Oladayo Popoola
Military Governor
August 1985 – 1986 - Raji Alagbe Rasaki
Military Governor
1986 – December 1987 - Mohammed Lawal
Military Governor
December 1987 – August 1990 - Oladeinde Joseph
Military Governor
August 1990 – January 1992 - Chief Olusegun Osoba
Governor (Egba/Egbado)
January 1992 – November 1993 - Daniel Akintonde
Military Administrator
December 1993 – August 1996 - Sam Ewang
Military Administrator
August 1996 – August 1998 - Kayode Olofin-Moyin
Military Administrator
August 1998 – May 1999 - Chief Olusegun Osoba
Governor (Egba/Egbado)
May 1999 – May 2003 - Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD)
Governor (Ijebu/Remo)
May 2003 – May 2011 - Ibikunle Amosun
Governor (Egba/Egbado)
May 2011 – May 2019 - Dapo Abiodun
Governor (Ijebu/Remo)
May 2019 – Incumbent
The Sacred Principle of PSPS
For the sake of equitable power-sharing among the major zones (Ijebu/Remo and Egba/Egbado), the founding fathers of Ogun State established the Pendulum Shift Power Sharing (PSPS) arrangement. This system ensures peaceful and smooth political transitions every 8 years (two terms) unless disrupted by military intervention.
The pendulum started swinging from the Ijebu/Remo axis in 1979, when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Ijebu/Remo) became the first democratically elected Governor of Ogun State. Onabanjo won a landslide victory for his first term and was re-elected in 1983. Unfortunately, his second term was cut short by the military intervention of January 1984, which saw all democratically elected administrations dissolved.
When democracy returned in January 1992, the pendulum shifted to the Egba/Egbado axis with Chief Olusegun Osoba (Egba/Egbado) emerging as Governor. However, the military struck again in November 1993, staying in power until May 1999.
In 1999, Chief Osoba returned for a second term as Governor under the PSPS principle, completing the Egba/Egbado cycle. However, his attempt to secure a third term defied the PSPS arrangement and ended in a bitter electoral defeat.
From 2003 to 2011, the pendulum swung back to the Ijebu/Remo axis, with Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) serving two terms as Governor. Thereafter, power shifted again to Egba/Egbado, with Senator Ibikunle Amosun serving from 2011 to 2019.
Currently, Governor Dapo Abiodun (Ijebu/Remo) is in office, and by 2027, he is expected to complete the Ijebu/Remo cycle under the PSPS arrangement.
Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond
As the pendulum prepares to swing back to the Egba/Egbado axis in 2027, it is important for politicians and stakeholders to respect this unwritten tradition for peaceful and equitable power-sharing. Attempts to disrupt this system might secure party tickets, but the general election results could be devastating, leading to political oblivion.
It is worth noting that while the Egba people have consistently benefited from the PSPS arrangement, the Egbado (now Yewa/Awori) have yet to produce a Governor. The onus now rests on the Egbados to strategize and build alliances with their Egba counterparts to secure the Governorship in 2027.
On the other hand, the Remo people have consistently served two full terms whenever the pendulum swings to their axis, while the Ijebus have only managed five years. However, the strong ties between Ijebu and Remo ensure unity and mutual understanding within the Ijebu/Remo bloc.
The Path to Victory
To succeed as Governor under the PSPS arrangement, three key factors are essential:
- Structure (both party and non-partisan).
- Perception (vision, blueprint, community service, health, education, intelligence, moral/family values, and governance experience).
- Funding.
The principle of PSPS also influences the zoning of Senate seats, ensuring balanced representation within each sub-zone. For example, if a Governorship candidate comes from Yewa, the Senatorial candidate may emerge from Awori, and vice versa.
In conclusion, the PSPS arrangement remains a vital mechanism for equitable governance in Ogun State. Any deviation from this sacred tradition risks disrupting the political harmony that has been carefully maintained over the years.
I stand to be corrected.
Akogun Kola Onadipe
National Coordinator, The TruthSayers
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
