By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—A first-class monarch, the Olubara of Ibaraland, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oba Jacob Omolade and the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle have charged their Yewa kinsmen to forge a united front and ensure that the next governor of the state emerges from the area in 2019.

Oba Omolade, who is one of five first-class traditional rulers in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and who has spent more than 23 years on the throne of the Olubara, said the Yewa people should ensure that they do not lose another opportunity to produce the governor of the 40-year-old state for the first time in 2019.

Also, the Olu of Ilaro in his remarks advised the people of the area to reflect on their current situation and position in the scheme of things in the state since its creation in 1976.

The two traditional rulers stated these while speaking during a civic reception and the conferment of achievement awards on some distinguished Yewa sons and daughters organised by the royal fathers from the area at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Empire Field in Ilaro.

According to the Olubara, the other parts of the state which had taken their turns in producing governors for the state were now watching to see what success the Yewa people would make of the chances that the 2019 elections would give them.

The monarch stressed that the time had come for Yewaland to have one of its own occupy the highest political office in the state.

Oba Omolade therefore advised the Olu of Ilaro and Oba Olugbenle to set up a committee of veteran politicians that would be charged with resolving the disputes that may arise amongst the sons and daughters of the area who would be aspiring to contest the governorship of the state in 2019.

Among the prominent sons and daughters of Yewaland conferred with the achievement awards in the different categories include the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello; second republic minister of national planning, Chief Ebun Oyagbola; former military administrator of Ekiti State, General Adetunji Olurin, and others.