As the 2027 election in Ogun State approaches, voters are being urged to demand more from candidates. Rather than focusing on ancestry, voters should insist on seeing evidence of what each candidate has achieved in the past. This is because Ogun State is considered too educated, industrialized, and politically sophisticated to be swayed by claims of family trees. The state's problems, including poor roads, underfunded schools, and inadequate healthcare, require policy, competence, and discipline to solve.
The call for candidates to focus on their records rather than ancestry was made by a columnist. The columnist argues that if a candidate believes they understand the state's economy better, they should present their plans for transforming it. They should also be prepared to compare their programs for education, healthcare, agriculture, industrialization, employment, and infrastructure with those of their opponents. By doing so, voters can make informed decisions based on evidence.
The columnist also suggests that candidates should be held accountable for their past actions. If a candidate claims to have achieved certain things, such as building roads, schools, or healthcare facilities, voters should be able to verify these claims. This approach will allow voters to assess the candidates' capacity to deliver on their promises. It will also encourage candidates to be more transparent and accountable.
The emerging contest for the Ogun State governorship should not be reduced to party affiliations or family ties. Instead, voters should focus on the candidates' qualifications, experience, and track record. Party structures, endorsements, and money will play a role in the election, but they should not overshadow the candidates' ability to explain what they intend to do with the mandate they seek.
Ogun State has significant economic advantages that have yet to be fully translated into broad prosperity. The state has a large industrial base, a growing population, and a strategic location. However, these advantages have not resulted in better living standards for many residents. Candidates should be asked to explain how they plan to address these challenges and improve the lives of Ogun State residents.
The Yoruba proverb, ìwà l’ẹwà – character is beauty – offers a useful philosophy for evaluating candidates. In public life, performance is pedigree. A candidate's most persuasive genealogy is the trail of public value they leave behind. This includes the roads they built, the schools they established, and the lives they improved. By focusing on performance rather than ancestry, voters can choose a candidate who is genuinely committed to serving the state's interests.
Ultimately, the 2027 election in Ogun State should be a referendum on political capacity, not genealogical purity. Voters deserve better than tales by moonlight; they deserve evidence, ideas, and a contest of records. By insisting on seeing evidence of candidates' past achievements, voters can ensure that they elect a leader who is capable of delivering on their promises and improving the lives of Ogun State residents.
Key points
- Ogun State voters are urged to focus on candidates' records rather than ancestry when making their decisions in the 2027 election.
