By Demola Akinyemi Ilorin

Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State and two-time commissioner, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, has declared that it’s not impossible for a Christian to emerge as governor of the state in 2027.

Oyedepo however blamed nonchalant attitudes of Christians in the state to politics, to low level of Christians ratings in government, citing the case of Chief Cornelius Adebayo( of blessed memory),the only Christian governor in the political history of the state, that lasted for three months.

Oyedepo who spoke in an interview with journalists in Ilorin said,:”The Christians have a lot of works to do to become the governor in 2027.Its not impossible at all,but my observation is that our participation in politics is poorly low.

“Some of our people believe that you cant succeed as a politician unless you join an occult group,or you have an herbalist or alfa you’re constantly consulting, which is not true at least as far as I’m concerned.

“I have said this on the Radio severally,and if I belong to any occult group,or consulting any Pastor,Alfa or herbalists,one of these groups I mentioned would have called the Radio that I’m one of their clients.”he said

While urging Christians in kwara to actively participate enmass in politics being a game of number,he however
warned that attempts to exclude candidates based on religion could fan dangerous sectarian embers already threatening Nigeria’s fragile peace.

The legal practitioner and politician — who also served as Chief Whip of the Kwara State House of Assembly and was one of the arrowheads of the historic ‘O to ge’ movement that ended the Saraki political dynasty — urged Kwarans to reject divisive politics and embrace competence and fairness in choosing Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s successor.

Oyedepo dismissed claims that Kwara’s next governor must be Muslim, insisting that “we all own Kwara together and contribute to its economy,” and that “it is nowhere written that a Christian cannot rule in Kwara.”

According to him, “Those thinking otherwise are a very small minority. The majority of Muslims in Kwara only want good governance, regardless of what faith that person practices.”

The elder statesman said religion has always been cynically exploited as a political tool, not a genuine reflection of voters’ beliefs. “Politicians deploy many variables to win elections — religion is one of them. But saying a Christian cannot win in Kwara is self-serving and against public interest,” he said.

Drawing from his personal experience during the O to ge revolution, Oyedepo said issue-based campaigning and sincere engagement with the people — including Muslim communities — remain the surest path to victory.

“I remember during our struggle, some clerics thought I had magical powers because people only listened to me. But it wasn’t magic — I spoke to their hearts. That’s what politics should be.If you give them money in two days it would finish,but if you speak to people’s hearts,it would be there forever.” he said.

He however warned that allowing religious bigotry to dominate politics at this time could have grave national consequences.

“With the global focus on Nigeria following America’s designation of the country as one of ‘particular concern’ over religious intolerance, we must not allow extremist narratives to define us,” he cautioned.

Oyedepo lamented that “the federal government’s failure to act decisively early enough” had allowed perceptions of Islamist onslaughts and genocidal killings in parts of the North Central region to fester.
“We must rise above this. Leadership should unite, not divide,” he said.

He nevertheless said he’s interested in contesting for the 2027 governorship in the state, disclosing that he has dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“I’m interested in contesting for the gubernatorial seat of kwara state in the 2027 general elections and l have left the APC because it cannot accommodate my vision.

“In two weeks time,I will make the political party on which I’m contesting known.But the truth is that if I become the governor, Kwara state will be lucky.”he said.