“Ọmọ Wa Ni Ẹ Jẹ O Se Is Not Dead!” — Akere Defends Ibadan Support for Makinde
The age-old political sentiment “Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se” remains relevant in Ibadan politics, Mogaji Gbolagade Moshood Akere has declared, questioning why Ibadan people should be criticised for choosing to support one of their own ahead of the 2027 elections.
Akere, the Chairman of the Ibadan Cultural Festival 2026, made the assertion while reacting to the controversy over the reported endorsement of Governor Seyi Makinde by some Ibadan Mogajis.
He said the debate should not be about whether every traditional stakeholder in Ibadanland was consulted, but whether the individuals who made the declaration have the right to express their political preference.
According to him, history provides a clear precedent.
“Our fathers did it in 1983. They rallied around one of their own, Chief Victor Omololu Olunloyo, against the incumbent governor, Chief Bola Ige. The spirit was Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se.
“If they had the right to make that choice then, why should our generation be told that we cannot choose our own today?” he asked.
Akere said supporting an indigene should not be interpreted as hostility towards other candidates or communities, but as a legitimate political choice available to the people.
“If we are truly the sons of the soil, what is wrong with supporting our own? Is there any law that says an Ibadan Mogaji cannot endorse an Ibadan son simply because some other Mogajis or traditional bodies may disagree?”
He argued that Ibadanland has never been politically monolithic and that diversity of opinion has always been part of its political history.
The Mogaji also rejected the notion that a political endorsement by some Mogajis must necessarily represent the position of every Mogaji in Ibadanland.
“An endorsement does not have to be unanimous before it becomes an endorsement. Those who support Makinde have spoken for themselves. Those who disagree are also free to speak for themselves. That is the beauty of democracy.”
He stressed that traditional titles should not become instruments for restricting the political freedom of their holders.
Akere therefore urged Ibadan traditional stakeholders to distinguish between traditional authority and individual political choice, saying both can coexist without threatening the peace of the city.
“Let us not kill the spirit of Ọmọ wa ni ẹ jẹ o se. Our fathers exercised their political choice. We too have the right to exercise ours,” he declared.
He added that ultimately, no traditional institution, political group or individual could determine the outcome of the 2027 election, as the power to elect the next governor rests with the people.
“Let Ibadan speak. Let every Mogaji speak. Let every citizen speak. Then let the people decide,” Akere said.
