Ibarapa North Stakeholders Reject Move to Replace 39-Year-Old Chairman with 73-Year-Old

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, ENGR. SEYI MAKINDE, FNSE, D.Sc., ON THE CHOICE OF THE NEXT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN FOR IBARAPA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Your Excellency,

We Reject a 73-Year-Old Replacing a 39-Year-Old Chairman in Ibarapa North

We, the Ibarapa North Stakeholders Forum, want to use this moment to make our voice heard on the lingering issue surrounding the selection process of the next Local Government Chairman of our beloved council.

Ordinarily, we had decided not to comment on the ongoing issue, as we have tried to remain as apolitical as possible. However, we understand that we cannot preach development in our community without getting involved in who becomes what in mainstream politics.

Out of the state’s 33 local government areas in Oyo State, we understand that some local governments have celebrated the emergence of their local government chairmen, who are either getting return tickets or are just receiving the ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement to occupy the seat in the local government election scheduled for December this year.

In Ibarapa North, we appreciate the Executive Governor of Oyo State for giving us a youth who became the Executive Chairman of our beloved local government at the age of 33 and who will be leaving office next year at the age of 39, having spent his constitutional six years in office. This opportunity, given by His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to have a young person represent us in such a critical position of government has inspired our teeming youths in Ibarapa North and endeared Governor Makinde to every indigene of our local government. However, as the Yoruba adage says, Ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ kọ́ l’oníṣẹ́, à fi ẹni tó bá fi orí tì í d’ópin,”, which literally means that it is not how something begins that matters but the overall success, we cannot celebrate prematurely if we are unable to have someone within that age bracket replace Hon. Lateef Adebare Akorede as the next local government chairman.

We understand that in this contest, a name has repeatedly been mentioned: Hon. Peter Gbadegesin Ojedokun, who is 73 years old and the oldest House of Assembly member in the history of the Pacesetter State Parliament. To take a trip down memory lane, Hon. Ojedokun represented the people of his political ward in 1999, when many of those he is contesting the chairmanship seat against were kids. He later served as the Chief of Staff to the APC House of Assembly candidate for Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North State Constituency in 2027 general elections when the latter was chairman in the early 2000s. It is not only abysmal but also highly appalling that a man who is old enough to be their father is now using his retirement age to flex political muscles with those he is expected to serve as a bloc leader and mentor, whom they should consult on pertinent issues.

We are not only embarrassed by this development but also infuriated by the fact that Hon. Peter Ojedokun cannot point to any of his achievements after spending more than seven years in office. All our efforts as community leaders to call his attention to what we consider his shortcomings have proved abortive.

We cannot afford to replace someone who is supposed to be enjoying his retirement with his grandchildren as the next Local Government Chairman, and this is a catastrophe that we, the stakeholders of Ibarapa North, openly reject.

The future of Ibarapa North depends on visionary leadership that understands the realities of today’s world. Our local government deserves a chairman who can engage effectively with young people, attract development opportunities, embrace innovation and respond to the changing needs of our communities.

Our position is not intended to diminish the contributions of elders in our society. We firmly believe that experience remains invaluable. However, experience should serve as a guide and source of mentorship while younger generations are entrusted with opportunities to lead and build upon the foundations already laid.

Governor Seyi Makinde has consistently demonstrated his commitment to youth inclusion since assuming office. His administration has inspired many young people across Oyo State to believe that competence, dedication and service can earn them positions of leadership. We respectfully urge him to preserve that legacy in Ibarapa North.

The emergence of a younger chairman after the completion of the current administration will reassure thousands of young people that the government remains committed to generational inclusion and sustainable leadership. It will also strengthen public confidence in the fairness of the selection process.

We appeal to leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement to consider not only today’s political calculations but also the long-term future of Ibarapa North. Decisions made today will shape the political and developmental trajectory of our local government for many years to come.

Across the world, societies are investing in younger leaders because they bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and reset energy to governance. Ibarapa North should not be left behind in embracing this progressive and pragmatic direction.

We believe that the next Local Government Chairman should possess the vision, capacity and commitment to consolidate on existing achievements while introducing innovative ideas that will further improve the lives of our people.

As stakeholders, our concern is the continued progress of Ibarapa North. We speak because we believe that leadership decisions should always reflect the aspirations of the people and the collective interest of our communities.

Your Excellency enjoys enormous goodwill in Ibarapa North. We firmly believe that the overwhelming support enjoyed by the party in previous elections was largely because of the confidence the people have in your leadership and your vision for Oyo State.

We therefore call on Governor Seyi Makinde and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the selection process reflects the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, competence and the continued empowerment of the younger generation.

History will remember leaders who create opportunities for others and build institutions that outlive them. We are confident that Governor Makinde will make a decision that promotes unity, inspires hopeand advances the development of Ibarapa North.

Please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.

Yours faithfully,

Ibarapa North Stakeholders Forum

For and on behalf of Ibarapa North Stakeholders Forum and residents of Ibarapa North Local Government.