The race for the Oyo North Senatorial District is beginning to attract attention, with Chief Hannah Ogunesan of the APC, Hon. Shina Peller of the APM and Dr. Yisa Yusuf (YY Muslim) of the Accord Party emerging as notable contenders in the unfolding contest. Beyond the political parties and personalities, the election is shaping up as a test of what the people of Oyo North want from their next representative.
Oyo North has produced notable senators over the years, including Braimoh Yusuf, Robert Koleosho, Hosea Agboola, Gbenga Babalola and the incumbent, Senator Fatai Buhari. While the district has historically seen strong representation from Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso remains an important component of the senatorial district. With 13 local government areas, the next senator will inherit the responsibility of representing a diverse constituency with different political, economic and developmental interests.
Buhari’s tenure has also raised the expectations surrounding the office. His admirers highlight constituency interventions, empowerment initiatives and human-capital development, while his sponsorship of the legislation that led to the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, has become one of the major issues associated with his representation. The university is particularly significant to Oke-Ogun, where the demand for a higher institution of federal significance had featured prominently in development discussions.
For Chief Hannah Ogunesan, who had held the position of Head of Service in Oyo State, the APC platform provides access to an established political structure and an opportunity to present a new agenda to the electorate. Her challenge will be to translate that platform into a compelling message about representation, development and inclusion across the entire district, including both Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso.
Hon. Shina Peller comes into the contest with previous legislative experience, having represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. His political profile and familiarity with legislative responsibilities give him a distinct background, while his decision to contest under the APM means that he will also have to demonstrate the strength of his personal political network beyond the structures of the major parties.
Dr. Yisa Yusuf popularly known as YY Muslim, representing the Accord Party, brings another option to the contest. His candidacy provides voters with an alternative outside the APC and APM establishments. His task, however, will be to build sufficient grassroots visibility and organisation across the 13 local government areas while convincing voters that his platform can translate into effective representation at the Senate.
Ultimately, the contest should be about more than where a candidate comes from or which political platform he or she represents. Oyo North needs a representative capable of connecting Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso, attracting meaningful federal interventions, supporting education and agriculture, empowering young people and creating opportunities across the senatorial district.
The electorate will therefore have the opportunity to weigh different personalities, records, political platforms and visions for the future. Fatai Buhari may have raised the bar; the question now is who will inherit the responsibility of meeting it and potentially raising it further.
Oyo North has the cap. The people will decide who wears it.