Ijesa Leaders Urged to Present Unified Development Agenda as Osun 2026 Governorship Campaign Begins

As the official campaign for the 2026 governorship election in Osun State commenced on Wednesday, March 11, a prominent Ijesa stakeholder, Akinyemi Olusegun Fasakin, has called on leaders and citizens of Ijesaland to unite around a common development agenda to guide their political engagement ahead of the polls.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Fasakin urged the people of Ijesaland to reflect on past advocacy efforts and channel the same collective spirit toward negotiating developmental commitments from candidates contesting the August 15 governorship election.

Fasakin recalled that in 2011 and 2014, he led a group of Ijesa advocates as President of the Ijesa People in Diaspora (I-PID) during international conventions held in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. The meetings, organised in collaboration with the Ijesa World Convention, were aimed at developing a strategic blueprint for the advancement of Ijesaland tagged “Ijesa Vision 2020.”

According to him, the initiative brought together several notable Ijesa figures from across the world, including Engineer Dideolu Falobi, Bobajiro of Ilesa and former Vice President (Africa) of I-PID; Oloye Abiola Falayajo from Australia; Lady Olapeju Agunbiade from London; and Comrade Olayemi Fadipe, the current Global President of I-PID.

Other participants included the late Barrister Janet Fasakin, Engineer Bode Eso, the late Yinka Olaniyi, Mama Yemisi Iyanda, Elder Gbemga Ojofeitimi, Prof. Dayo Akinmoladun, Oluomo Olusola Alabi, Mrs Morenike Owolabi, Mrs Yemi Adigun, Chief Adebisi, Olori Funmilayo Adedeji, Engineer Titus Olowookere, Apostle Toyin Keshinro, and Prof. Olowookere.

Traditional rulers such as Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni Ijesa, and the late Oba Adedoyin Adelekun also participated in the deliberations.

Fasakin explained that discussions at the conventions led to the formulation of the “Ijesa Agenda,” a development proposal presented to successive administrations in the state, including that of former governor Rauf Aregbesola, his successor Adegboyega Oyetola, and the current governor, Ademola Adeleke.

He listed key proposals in the agenda to include the construction of a modern Atakumosa Market in Ilesa, the dualisation of the Omi-Asoro to Ereja Square road, the upgrade of the Osun College of Education to the University of Ilesa, the revitalisation of the Games Village in Ijebu-Ijesa, and the provision of pipe-borne water to Ilesa and surrounding communities.

According to Fasakin, the sustained advocacy of Ijesa stakeholders over the years contributed to some notable achievements, including the upgrade of the former Osun State College of Education in Ilesa to the University of Ilesa, the dualisation of the Imo–Ereja road, and progress on the Ilesa water project.

Looking ahead to the August election, Fasakin called on Ijesa leaders and institutions to formulate a new development blueprint titled “Ijesa Agenda 2026–2031.”

He urged the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, the Ijesa Development Council (IDC), and the Ijesa Development Assembly to work together in developing the document and presenting it to governorship candidates seeking support from the region.

The stakeholders he referenced include the current governor Ademola Adeleke, who may seek re-election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salam.

Fasakin stressed that the development of Ijesaland must remain a priority above partisan considerations, urging residents and leaders to hold political candidates accountable for concrete commitments.

“I am dedicated to the progress of Ijesaland. While I may engage in broader political discussions, my primary focus remains the advancement of our land,” he said, adding that he would support any political platform that prioritises the development and well-being of the region.

He concluded with a call for unity among Ijesa people, emphasizing that collective action and strategic planning would be critical to the future prosperity of Ijesaland.