“Support Who You Believe In, Serve Ibadan Fairly” — G30 Tells Akere Amid Political Controversy

The G30 Group, a coalition of stakeholders across Ibadanland, has urged Mogaji Gbolagade Moshood Akere to continue exercising his political rights while carrying out his responsibilities to Ibadanland fairly and without discrimination.

The group made the position known in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Ola Atanda Oluyoro, and Secretary, Prince Ogunaike, while reacting to criticism directed at Akere over his decision to publicly express support for an Ibadan indigene ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The G30 leadership said having a political preference does not make Akere less committed to Ibadanland, stressing that an individual’s political choice and his responsibility to the community are two separate matters.

According to the group, Akere should not be pressured into abandoning his political convictions simply because he has been entrusted with responsibilities connected to the cultural development and promotion of Ibadanland.

“Mogaji Akere has a right to his political choice. He should continue to exercise that right while carrying out his responsibilities to Ibadanland fairly and without discrimination,” the statement said.

The group stressed that what matters is Akere’s ability to treat all sons and daughters of Ibadan equally, irrespective of their political affiliations.

G30 maintained that supporting one candidate does not automatically mean that an individual will discriminate against supporters of other candidates.

The group further noted that Ibadanland is made up of people with diverse political opinions, adding that forcing stakeholders to suppress their political views in the name of neutrality could create unnecessary tension.

“Akere can support the candidate of his choice and still work with people who support other candidates. Political disagreement should never become a reason to discriminate against anyone or deny them their place in Ibadanland,” the statement added.

Dr. Oluyoro and Prince Ogunaike also advised other Ibadan stakeholders to respect divergent political opinions as the 2027 elections approach.

They said rather than attacking individuals over their political choices, stakeholders should focus on issues that promote the peace, unity, cultural heritage and development of Ibadanland.

The G30 leadership reiterated its position that the revered Olubadan stool should remain above partisan political controversies and should not be unnecessarily dragged into disagreements among politically active Mogajis.

According to the group, the strength of Ibadanland lies in its ability to accommodate different opinions while maintaining respect for its traditional institutions.

The group therefore urged Akere to remain committed to his responsibilities to Ibadanland while freely exercising his democratic rights.

“Support whoever you believe in, but serve Ibadan without discrimination. That is the message. Ibadan belongs to all of us,” Dr. Oluyoro and Prince Ogunaike stated.

The G30 Group concluded that political differences should not be allowed to destroy the unity and collective interests of Ibadanland, stressing that Ibadan is bigger than any political party or individual political ambition.