A sociocultural group in Remoland, the Pan Remo Movement (PRM), has warned political leaders and aspirants from the zone against derailing the zoning arrangement ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The group stated that such a move could undermine the goodwill and trust built among the zones of Ogun State. This warning comes amid debate over the aspiration of a governorship hopeful from Remo.
The PRM noted that Remo had occupied the governorship for 16 of the 28 years since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. The zone has produced former Governor Gbenga Daniel and the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The group argued that it is time for Remo to reciprocate the support it received from other parts of the state by allowing power to shift to another zone, particularly Ogun West, in the interest of equity and fairness.
The PRM President, Otunba ‘Poju Akintayo-Ayodele, and General Secretary, Oloye Tunde Adekoya, emphasized that the people of Remo should appreciate the support extended to them by other zones. They should be willing to support the legitimate aspiration of other parts of the state to also produce the governor. The group stressed that Yewa deserves a sense of belonging and that power should move to another zone.
The PRM cautioned politicians and stakeholders in Remo against putting personal ambition above the broader interests of the zone and the state. The group warned that any deliberate attempt to upset the existing understanding on power rotation could have far-reaching consequences. It also appealed to the people of Remo not to support a selfish political agenda capable of eroding the confidence other zones have in the zone.
According to the PRM, political arrangements are sustained by trust, reciprocity, and mutual respect. The support Remo receives today could be affected if the zone is perceived as unwilling to reciprocate such gestures. The group urged Remo political leaders, traditional institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders to consider the long-term political stability of the state and resist actions that could create unnecessary division among its various zones.
The PRM announced plans to host the 2026 edition of its annual Pan Remo Forum soon. This year's edition will focus on preserving the goodwill and peaceful coexistence among the various zones of Ogun State before, during, and after the forthcoming general elections. The group maintained that the political leadership of Ogun should continue to promote an arrangement that gives every zone a sense of inclusion and belonging.
The PRM appealed to all stakeholders to respect the principle of equity and allow Ogun West, which has yet to produce a governor since the creation of the state, an opportunity to occupy the governorship. The issue should not be reduced to the ambition of any individual but viewed from the broader perspective of fairness, political accommodation, and the need to preserve harmonious relationships among Ogun's major political blocs.
Key points
- The Pan Remo Movement warns against disrupting the zoning arrangement for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
- Remo has occupied the governorship for 16 of the 28 years since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999.
- The group appeals to stakeholders to respect the principle of equity and allow Ogun West an opportunity to occupy the governorship.
