AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR ABIOLA AJIMOBI

Your Excellency

Governor Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi

The Executive Governor of Oyo State

Dear Sir,

THE ROAD TO 2015 – A STITCH IN TIME WILL SAVE NINE

I send my greetings to you, first as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, a position that commands the highest respect in Oyo State, and second as an elder statesman in Nigeria. Your status as one of the major stakeholders in the Nigerian project is such that must be accorded high regards and courtesy, unreserved and untainted. I salute your efforts at leaving indellible marks of achievements in all the sectors of Oyo State and I believe that posterity has her way of setting the records straight and rewarding those who work assiduously towards the development of mankind; she will definitely remember your name in future.

AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR RAUF ADESOJI AREGBESOLA

Your Excellency

Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola

Executive Governor, Osun State.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN RE-ELECTED

I send my highest regards and courtesy to you, mandated by the respect that your office commands and the moral responsibility that the culture of our people places on my shoulder to show respect to whoever is higher than me in ranking. I want to believe that the business of governing Osun State has not been too tiring? Not that I will expect you to groan, even me will gladly accept such tiring duties since they come with a bumper financial package. I must confess, I really envy you.

I am going to pay specific attention to brevity and clarity in this letter, understanding that you do not have so much time within your daily schedule of activities to read an epistle, which of course would have been most ideal for the lengthy issues I intend to raise. Yet, I will attempt to save your time and mine, communicate directly, bluntly and with clear statements of facts. I am doing this so that it may be said of me that when I had the wherewithal, I spoke up in the defence of democracy, good governance, fairness and justice. If nothing else, that place in posterity satisfies me beyond any measure of reward.

IF GEJ WINS THE NEXT ELECTION........

Barely months to the next presidential election in Nigeria and one can fairly say without fear of being misunderstood, that never has the Nigerian political space been so charged by the hob-nobbing and schemings of the contenders. It is fair to say, that serious desire and/or greed for power at all possible cost has been the root cause of these grand schemes. Never has our nation witnessed the political re-alignment of forces that has for a few months now characterized our Nation. All of a sudden, the All Progressives Congress became the beautiful bride for politicians who have come to a shocking realization that the PDP cannot and may not serve their immediate power desires. The presence of GEJ in the Aso Rock has indeed sparked serious political tension in the hearts of those who feel his minority background should not be allowed to rule the nation for long.

LIKE UKRAINE, LET NIGERIA SPLIT!

I have followed keenly the happenings in Ukraine over the past few months which culminated in the splitting of the Soviet Nation in three nations and a fourth accepting to be annexed into Russia. As unfortunate as the power plays were, I must indeed commend the bravery and maturity of all citizens of the left-over Ukraine, Lugansk, Donestsk and Crimea. Yes, it became obvious that secession was imminent, yet they conducted themselves in such a manner that afforded the Republics of Lugansk and Donetsk the opportunity to secede from Ukraine while Crimea joined Russia without the almost-genocide situation that characterized the South-Sudan secession from the Republic of Sudan. The crisis that came up was well managed and normalcy had since returned to the resulting nations with elections having been held in Donetsk and Lugansk.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN GETS MY VOTE AGAIN IN 2015

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not exactly the kind of person I personally like, maybe because he is too dark a man, or because he looks too timid for my personal liking....or because he has refused to curtail the little excesses of Mama Peace (I pray she does not get angry for this because I am a huge fan). Not exactly likable, but I say emphatically and convincingly that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will get my vote again in 2015. I will explain why in the paragraphs that will follow.

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NIGERIA GIVES ME HEADACHE.... – INSOMNIA PACKAGE 1

Okay, let me tell you immediately that it is exactly 2:30am, Thursday 6th November, 2014 and I am somewhere in South-West Nigeria unable to sleep. Now, if by any chance you are expecting me to be courteous about whatever I am about to communicate, I think you might have better luck living in Liberia at this time. I do not intend to be courteous, neither do I plan to use any measure of restraint in my diction. Mind me less, you know how angry the brain gets when it is deprived of sleep!

Why exactly am I finding it difficult to sleep? I already did the two articles I planned to do for the night and in my mind i was done. It struck me abruptly, that Nigeria is the source of my headache, sorry more like migraine.....I do not know the best way to describe my afflictions. In short, the myriad of problems disturbing our nation is making it excessively impossible for me to calm down. You dare not tell me to calm down by the time I start my vituperations!

OYO 2015 – THE CONTENDERS, THE PRETENDERS, THE DEAD-ON-ARRIVALS...

We cannot describe a state whose politics is characterized by serious drama, constant back-hand deals and heated contests without considering Oyo State to be the most qualified State for that sort of description. Various political gladiators flex muscles when it is time to contest elective positions. Even more amusing is the fact that at such moments of increased political muscle-flexing, even traditional rulers become political gladiators trying to promote their personal, and in rare cases, community interests. Such scenarios were obvious in the 2011 elections.

Prior to the 2011 elections, there had been diverse speculations as to which of the top contenders (Alao-Akala – PDP, Ajimobi – ACN, Ladoja – Accord Party) possessed more clout than the other three and as such stood at pole position to win the contest. There was a lot of behind-the-scene horse-trading between candidates and traditional rulers, candidates and other candidates, even INEC officials were not spared the lobbying pressures of these politicians.

Looking from all indications, save for the adamant refusal of the Alaafin of Oyo to support Otunba Alao-Akala’s second term bid and the ominous gang-up of certain Ibadan elements against him, Alao-Akala looked certain to clinch victory and run a second term in office. Those of us who analyzed using such key indicators were almost proved right when results of the gubernatorial election began to trickle in and Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala was in a clear early lead. To our chagrin however, owing to some unforeseen wielding of the magic wand by the Ibadan anti-Akala gang-up at the last minute, Ajimobi was returned as the winner. It was a major electoral surprise.

Till date, different schools of thought have proposed various hypotheses concerning the events that culminated in Alao-Akala’s loss, but what is certain and clear to all, is that he was a victim of top-level antagonism from people who he has either offended at some point in his political ascension or whose political standings have been threatened by his growing political prowess. Whichever way you choose to look at it, the most important thing is, Ajimobi won that election and became the Governor of Oyo State.

It is almost 2015 and time again to decide who rules Oyo State for the next four years. Expectedly, the usual accusations and counter-accusations has commenced and the Oyo State political scenario is getting hotter every passing day. However, while some contestants (the contenders) can lay claim to assured popularity, some others are contesting to make themselves known (the pretenders) and possibly get selective positions if and when the candidates they eventually ‘step down’for becomes Governor.

For instance, the declaration  of interest to run for Governorship by one of the sons of Alhaji Lam Adesina (no offence intended), will appear to any keen political observer as a cheap popularity stunt and an attempt to make himself known as the political replacement for his late father. It is clear to all that such contestants are more interested in making people see them on the faces of campaign posters than they are interested in becoming the Oyo State Governor. I am still laughing.....

Of the contestants, five occur to me as serious contenders who have the clout and the wherewithal to go all the way and win the election. These five, without fear of being misunderstood are: Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Alhaji Sarafa Alli. Each of these contestants have their core strengths and areas where they enjoy a near-god followership and are as such sure of securing maximum votes from such places. Let us cross-examine these suitors for our beautiful bride – the Oyo Government House.

Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala lost due to certain forces as I have outlined earlier, but has decided to re-climb the same horse that threw him in 2011. Some political observers believe he should have run for Senate instead, but he seems to believe he can do a better job than the present man at the helm of affairs. What stands in his favour, is the resounding followership he enjoys in his Ogbomoso constituency, a followership he has so diligently oiled over the years financially and otherwise. One other factor that could work in favour of Otunba Alao-Akala is the fact that majority of Oyo people have now come to realize that they made a gross mistake in choosing Ajimobi over Alao-Akala. Where Akala ran a government with a human face, Ajimobi has so far ran a government that is textbook-based in its approaches to governance, never making concessions towards alleviating the sufferings of the masses. In all these areas, Otunba Alao-Akala stands tall while not lacking in sound antecedents of infrastructural development while he was Governor of the State. He is not only a contender but one with a high tendency to return to government.

Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi is the incumbent Governor of Oyo State, a fact he will be hoping to use to his own advantage when the chips are down in 2015. However, the same fact that worked for him and against Alao-Akalain 2011 is staring at him in the face this term – Oyo people somewhat superstitiously believes it is wrong for them to serve one person twice! Much greater worries for him are the seeming hostility of the Oyo State people towards his government in recent times, his poor project completion antecedents which has made life unbearable for people living in Ogbomoso, Apete and various other areas of the State and his unrepentant projection of his wife’s image above that of his deputy at every given opportunity. He sure is a serious contender but from my standpoint, he will be wise not to expect a second term in office.

Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja was Governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, missing only in action for 11 months during which Otunba Alao-Akala was made Governor of the State. He was known to be a Civil Servant Governor but was grossly lacking in the area of infrastructure development. Known as a gentleman, he enjoys good support in Ibadan particularly being one of the city’s high chiefs. He is a top contender, but one who has to work harder at extending his support base beyond Ibadan city if he is to make any serious headway at the polls.

Engr. Oluseyi Makinde is also another top contender who has taken the Oyo State political scene by surprise. Though he belongs to the same party as Otunba Alao-Akala, he has been going about his campaign activities as if he has been annointed by the PDP. The commitment he has shown, the contacts he has established and the distance he has covered in the short time he came into the scene presents him as a very serious contender for the position. He is quite young and some will call him inexperienced on the seemingly hot political turf of Oyo State, but having dedicated so much to his vision, we must take him serious.

Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli on his end has been in the political scene of Oyo State for a while having been Secretary to the State Government at some point. He is believed to be experienced politically and has the capacity to lead Oyo State. However, the obvious virginity of his Labour Party in the scheme of things in Oyo State makes him vulnerable to a disturbing defeat as recorded in Osun State. I believe he has a good chance if he is able to overcome the huge financial capabilities of the APC and PDP coupled with their vast political experience.

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I am not a soothsayer neither am I any experienced politician of any sort, but looking from my point of view, the likes of Folarin, Adedoja and Baba Lam’s kid are not seriously gunning for the Government house but are seeking certain ends which I may not be immediately aware of. Ultimately, I believe one of these listed above will govern Oyo State from 2015 till 2019, I pray it is my favoured candidate.

Namaste!

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN OYO STATE UNDER ABIOLA AJIMOBI – A STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACKWARD

I have to start this piece on a very sarcastic note. I was browsing the Contact Profile of a friend of mine on Blackberry Messenger just a few days ago and his display picture came out very amusing. The picture showed the comedian ‘Bovi’ eyeing another young man in a very funny way. Underneath this picture was the caption, ‘Guy, dem never serve me rice for your Papa burial oh...No worry, shey my father go soon die!’ As you laugh out the sarcasm, there is a lesson in the joke: For everyone who complains about the performance of one person, when their time comes, we will all witness how well they also will perform; ‘se ipako onipako ni a n ri, a kii ri ti ara eni.’

Whille Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala was the Governor of Oyo State, the then ACN were very vocal in the condemnation of his government as non-performing and a colossal failure. I said it then and I stand to be corrected, that these ACN talkatives are just conmen eager to feed on the vulnerability of the people of Oyo State to plunder the State treasury. Fate is beginning to prove me very right. Ajimobi emerged the Governor of Oyo State in earnest and he began making promises to rebuild Oyo in no time.

Today, we have a tale of disappointments, failed promises, abandoned/failed projects and Oyo State have moved much backward than it has made any forward movement in the last three and a half years. Much pitiable is the condition of the education system in Oyo State at the moment. While the State Government is going about claiming it has made giant strides in the development of education in Oyo State, schools in Oyo State are groaning under experiences of decay of infrastructure, lack of instructional materials, shabby conditions of teaching and learning among other woes bedeviling the education sector in Oyo State.

As enticing as media reports emanating from Oyo State sounds, even though they appear doctored to me and of only face value, a physical encounter with these projects being praised on TV exposes one to a different dimension entirely in the Oyo State governance – a dimension of corrupt practices that extends into media manipulation and grand schemings to fool the entire nation and make every outsider think Oyo is getting better while it is actually sinking deeper into collapse.

Before my sojourn in the Pacesetter State, I once said loud that of all APC Governors, Abiola Ajimobi was still better as he is a little sincere and much more committed to serving the people. I was terribly wrong. I came to Ibadan to realize that particularly in such sensitive areas as education, the Ajimobi Government has been a monumetal failure. For every one school building that his government has renovated, another two buildings somewhere in the State have gone into total collapse without any attention. Many school children now learn in terrible environments which are not only non-conducive for learning but are also detrimental to the health of the students.

I personally encountered one of such infrastructural decay in Oyo State Schools when I visited the Unity Secondary School, Ijokodo Ibadan. I must say without hesitation, that the school bore little or no difference from an animal farm in terms of infrastructure and the conveniences of the learning environment. I began to wonder immediately that if the school could be that bad in Oyo State, how exactly will Sen. Abiola Ajimobi justify the claims by Oyo State media houses that his government has done exceedingly well in all sectors of the State? Or will it not be safe to conclude that as far as education is concerned in Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi has failed? Will we be saying too much if we say that he has achieved more in taking education backwards in Oyo State than forward?

For me, judging from my experience in the school named, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi has taken a step forward and two backward in the education sector of Oyo State. My candid advice is, he must immediately rectify all these major flops, tidy his house, so that the next Governor of Oyo State does not have to run into too much trouble trying to untangle the massive knots Ajimobi has created in the education sector. I believe a word, is enough for the wise!

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EKITI: THE FA-GOVERNORS AND THE CHANGE THE PEOPLE DESIRE

In the Yoruba style of nomenclature, the traditional beliefs of the people are reflected as prefixes to the names of the offsprings of that family line. In the Sango worshippers’lineage, you are likely going to hear names like ‘Sangodapo’, ‘Sangotoye’, ‘Sangotoro’and other ‘Sango-prefixed’names. This is a means of naming offsprings such that they may be identified with the deities the family line worship. So, when one begins to hear ‘Fasola’, ‘Fanibe’, ‘Fayose’ and ‘Fayemi’, one will be right to conclude that these persons are of an Ifa-worshipping lineage.

It is such amusing coincidence that the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’State (Ekiti) has been under the rule of the Fa-something people of the State. Unarguably so, the advent of Christianity has made it such that both of these Fa-something Governor and Ex-Governor are not active worshippers of the Ifa deity, but yet, their names clearly associate them with something very familiar with the Yoruba traditional worshippers – the Ifa deity.

Over the years however, it has been evident that certain moral traits are often passed down the family line of Ifa worshippers. In my little interactions with them, I have come to discover that dedicated Ifa worshippers take lying, corruption of any kind and other anti-social behaviours as being abominations in Ifa worship. They fear the deities so much that they cannot afford to go against these honest standards that their beliefs has set. It is on this premise that I believe Ekiti people were lucky to have had ‘Fayemi’as their Governor for four years running from 2010 till 2014. He should by my thinking, have inherited certain traits of uprightness from his forefathers that made them devout followers of the Ifa deity.

It is logically correct to conclude thence, that if he were to be found upright, honest, accountable and people-oriented as his forefathers would have been, it would have been a moral compulsion for Ekiti people to give Fayemi their mandate for another four years. Alas, shocked was I when the results of the 2014 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State was released and ‘Fayose’became the choice of the people. It was another ‘Fa-something’ person, another one in the lineage of the Ifa-worshipping forefathers who is supposed to live by high moral standards.

As an aftermath of the result declaring Fayose as the Governor-elect of Ekiti State, various questions started running through my mind. If Fayemi had been as honest as he was expected to be inter-alia and has been portrayed to be by the media, why did Ekiti people overwhelmingly bundle him out in a more-than-landslide manner? If he performed excellently as being touted by his aides and admirers, why was he rejected at the polls? Was he also a propagandist as are most of his colleagues who perform excellently well only on the faces of newspapers? Did Fayemi take for granted, the confidence that was reposed in him by the Ekiti people? Whatever might be the answer to these questions, something definitely went wrong between Fayemi and the people he claimed to serve.

Where Fayose is concerned, I asked myself, if he is truly a ‘bad egg’ as he has been continually painted in media reports, why did Ekiti people so willingly give him their mandate? If he was so loved by the people prior to the last elections in Ekiti State, why was he detested around the year 2007? Was he truly victimized as he claimed? If people could so quickly go from praise-singing Fayemi to condemning him and then praise-singing Fayose, could it be said that Ekiti people are weak of heart and are nomadic in thinking? Is Fayose who had earlier been called a ‘thug’ in the judgement of Ekiti people, of a higher moral standing than Fayemi who was earlier seen as the people’s messiah?

I wish I could have access to the minds of majority of Ekiti people and seek answers to these questions that have not stopped running through my mind since the election of Fayose was concluded. I will ask them, what yardstick did you use to condemn Fayose earlier, praise Fayemi after, then back to hero-treating Fayose? Is it that the decisions Ekiti people have been taking collectively has not been a factor of the personalities of these two men, but a reflection of the weakness of heart of Ekiti people?

Whatever may be the answers to these questions, there are lessons to learn for the Fa-somethings and the general public. For one, Ekiti people have shown us, that a man once celebrated can go from grace to grass in the twinkle of an eye, for the slightest of reasons. They have also shown the world, that no politician can claim to eternally enjoy the goodwill of a certain people without having to constantly do check and balances to see if he still enjoys that support. Ekiti people like the teachers of old have given us all a lesson in loyalty and flexibility.

Former Governor Fayemi needs to return to his study, reflect on his four-year reign as the Governor of the State, check for the areas where he lost touch and make amends. Just like Fayose, he can return to the minds of Ekiti people, given their evident light-heartedness and nomadic nature. He must seek to reconnect with the people from whom he has been disconnected in principle and re-establish his support base even if he has to go by ‘stomach infrastructure’. He must also check his moral standing and confirm if he has not swayed from the upright personality that he was taken for; see if he has missed the track of honesty which he was perceived to be following earlier.

Governor Fayose on his end has a greater responsibility on his shoulders. He first must justify the overwhelming confidence that Ekiti people reposed in him at the polls by catering for them politically, economically, infrastructurally, educationally and what have you. He cannot afford to rule Ekiti State with the controversial attitude that most of his political adversaries have claimed he possesses. He must look after the welfare of the Ekiti people with passion, they must not suffer injustice under his government; corruption must be eradicated in his government and he must live up to the expectations of these ever-changing people of Ekiti State.

Yorubas will say, ‘agba to jin si koto, o ko ara yoku logbon’, meaning an elder who falls into a pit is an example to other people. Fayemi is an example to Fayose, that as easily as people ascend to grace, falling from grace is far easier. Because it is evident that there are certain things that people of Ekiti State desire but were lacking in Fayemi, Fayose must quickly identify those needs and promptly attend to them lest he be flogged with the same whip that Fayemi received merciless strokes of.

Between the Fa-something that fell from grace and the Fa-something who climbed back to grace, there seems to be a thin line – the desire of Ekiti people to have a government that caters for their needs wholly without any reckless abandon. This Fayemi must identify to make amends and Fayose must reference to retain the support. This is inevitable.

ODERINU ADEDAYO

ibuckresources@gmail.com

WHAT BIG BROTHER AFRICA IS, WHAT BIG BROTHER AFRICA IS NOT!

I believe, that I will come under heavy criticism for the stand I am about to take on the very popular continental reality TV show – Big Brother Africa (BBA). I am going to state in clear terms, the real nature of the reality show from the point of view of a young person who is afraid of what the future holds for his generation in the continent of Africa and the global stage. I chose to voice my opinion of the BBA because I am not only responsible for saying the naked truth as it is but I am also directly affected by the ill-effects of not saying the truth in time.

From inception, I always had the opinion that the Big Brother Africa show is one of the various talent hunt shows on TV that seeks to bring out certain innate abilities in participants (forgive my ignorance as I am not a TV-show kind of person, I am strictly news and drama). Unfortunately, I realized very late that my opinion of the show was not only flawed but fatally incorrect.

Unlike the MTN Project Fame which brings participants together with the sole aim of developing their musical abilities, The Big Brother Africa brings participants together only to live in the same house, interact with one another and then allow viewers vote out participants whose attitudes they do not like. Specifically speaking, Big Brother Africa does not in any way seek to promote any specific talent in participants neither does it encourage the possession of one.

An ardent viewer of the show who is a dear friend argued in favour of the show. She stated that the BBA is aimed at developing ‘right’ attitudes in participants and help them function better within a group of people. My problem with this view is that, if BBA seeks to promote ‘right’ attitudes, participants are supposed to face eviction if found in the act of sexual immorality. Youtube footages of ‘shower’ hours display the nudity of participants, participants of the opposite sex are caught on camera having carnal knowledge of themselves, yet BBA organizers claim they are helping to develop right attitudes in participants – or is it my friend?

Some other ardent viewers of the show believe that it helps promote African unity as it brings participants together from various countries to co-habit in the same house in an atmosphere of peace and unity. While this argument may yet be correct, the same show that claims to promote African unity does not automatically send packing participants who do not live by the African code of morals and ethics. What African unity are we promoting if the entire African essence of decency and morality is lost in the process?

On a regular basis, supporters of the continued existence of the show get access to video footages of sexual intimacies within housemates, shower hours where participants are stark naked and their nakedness caught on camera and what have you. How can we claim to be a sane society if we glorify nudity, celebrate illicit sexual relationships and we even find fun in broadcasting such folly across the worldwide web? If the BBA were a moral setup, organizers will immediately evict any housemate found in any act of sexual immorality and nudity. This is the only way to preserve the African moral values and ethics. It is on this premise that I will draw my conclusions however harsh and unsocial they may sound.

On one hand, the BBA is neither moral nor godly. Any programme that promotes nudity, sexual immorality, unholy associations and other anti-social attitudes has run contrary to the teachings of all religions – down to the traditional religions. BBA captures nudity and sexual acts without reprimand, going ahead to broadcast such despicable acts to the world via the internet as highlights of a particular edition. What vain glory do we derive from glorifying that which does not give glory to the Almighty God? If BBA glorifies what is ungodly, then it cannot be of God and as such is hazardous to the spiritual development of viewers.

On another hand, BBA is neither educative nor informative. Participants are not taught any special life skills, they are not made to develop any talents or innate abilities and they are not encouraged to engage in activities that are beneficial to the development of the society. In that same pattern, BBA does not provide its audience with any body of information which may be beneficial to the society unlike ‘Project Fame’, ‘The Next Titan’ and a host of others. Where education and information is absent, BBA becomes another show that contributes to the brainwashing and intellectual depreciation of our society.

Again, BBA does not lay any emphasis on the physical abilities of participants. Where ‘Gulder Ultimate Search’ focuses more on strength, endurance, peaceful co-existence, morality and other positive areas of human survival, BBA places no such emphasis on any particular aspect of the individual. GUS participants are not allowed to engage in acts of corruption or immorality and at the same time must not be found wanting in physical activities – ensuring the total development of the individual. BBA is not anything of that kind.

On a final note, BBA is not productive in any form and it seeks to celebrate laziness and cheap gains. Participants are clustered in the same house for weeks, without specific tasks that will distinguish the hardworking from the lazy, yet it awards the winner with $300,000 which occurs to me like money paid to the most idle soul. This is the same Africa that rewards winners of Debate competitions with ‘just laptop computers’ at most.

BBA is anti-social, it is anti-hardwork, anti-diligence, ungodly and unethical. It is not contributing anything to the development of this generation, my generation. We cannot as a society continue to watch such gross violation of our moral values and refuse to speak up. The triumph of evil is allowed when good men do nothing. I hope when the roll is called up yonder, when we give accounts on our attitudes towards shows like BBA, I may be found on the side of God!

Namaste!

ODERINU ADEDAYO

ibuckresources@gmail.com

ALHAJI FATAI AKINADE AKINBADE REMAINS IN LP: LETS PUT A STOP TO THE TREACHERY

We will be justified to reckon politics as a game of deceit, backdoor negotiations and some treachery of very devilish proportions. However, one is constrained by developments in modern times to believe that politicians are beginning to wake up to modern day realities of truth and sincerity in dealing with the enlarged society of voters who will only be voting for such candidates because of the belief they have that such candidates can bring their way guaranteed succor.

In the case of Osun State however, political gladiators in the countdown to the gubernatorial elections in the state seem to be degenerating back into the abyss of political corruption and devilish scheming. When Labour Party decided to stand for her principles, these gladiators from the two make-believe big parties of Osun politics decided to play it dirty. It is most unfortunate that such persons have resorted to name-dropping to help their ambitions.

Very recently, PDP rumor-mongers began peddling rumors of a purported agreement between Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade of the LP and their principal, Iyiola Omisore of the PDP having it that Fatai Akinbade will work with Omisore. This lie is not only malicious, but very devilish and anti-people. While the teeming supporters of Fatai Akinade Akinbade were getting ready to vote in the candidate who could bring them the much-desired development, the PDP agents were determined to throw confusion into their ranks.

Days after the PDP-sponsored rumor, the APC decided to play it that dirty too. They resorted to name-dropping too. The surprising fact is, these two parties have sponsored media reports that have belittled the size of the Labour Party in Osun State making the enlarged society believe the party does not even stand a chance in the forthcoming elections in Osun State. If this be true, why associate the image of Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade to that of their principals? If FAA stands no chance in the forthcoming election, why try to use him as a selling point for their candidates? The APC went as far as telling people Fatai Akinbade will be decamping into their party today Friday! This is devilish and very bad for democracy.

I wonder, why will anybody seek to deceive the electorates whom they seek to serve into voting for them? Can performance be guaranteed if the votes were garnered through lies and cheap deceit? Would it be fair to play this kind of politics hundred years into the existence of Nigeria? Are our politicians even growing beyond the level of toddlers scheming for their mother’s breast milk? I sincerely believe this should not be the time for malicious scheming; rather it should be a time for all political gladiators to plan towards delivering the much-desired dividends of democracy to Osun people, whoever wins the upcoming election.

I believe the best candidate will emerge; making it clear to the general public that ALHAJI FATAI AKINADE AKINBADE is still contesting on the platform of the LP and very well positioned for victory. He is the best man for the job and may he win this election at the end of the day by the grace of God, and the goodwill of Osun people.

Let the voters and the rumor-mongers beware!!!!

BETWEEN FATAI AKINBADE AND THE RUMOURS MAKING THE ROUND

The road to the August 09 gubernatorial elections in Osun State has been quite bumpy. Not that Adesoji Aregbesola can claim to have had a bumpy ride; he evidently has enjoyed robust support from the entire APC family alongside his unchecked access to state funds and even more in form of incessant loans from banks. I believe he has fears too though, for he has to contend with the obviously mightier Federal power which the PDP has unlimited access to. For Rauf, the fear of the Federal Government is the beginning of wisdom.

Omisore can claim to have challenges too. But, within the most intellectual schools of thought, there is a full understanding of the fact that Omisore has very little to worry about. Aside being a very successful politician and a businessman, he enjoys unlimited access to finances from the almighty federal purse which proverbially, never runs dry. He enjoys financial backing, a very old political structure, and the likelihood that the results of the election might be tilted in his favour if the Federal Government decides not to tow the path of honour.

Fatai Akinbade being the third of the three top contenders on the other hand cannot claim the same level of relaxation. Aside running on the platform of a party which is relatively new to the Osun voting populace, he has no financial backing from any political power house within the nation. All this humble Owu prince has to rely upon is the untainted personality he has and the goodwill of Osun people whom he seeks to serve. He has no godfather, enjoys no external support but yet, his faith in the rational nature of the Yorubas to make wise decisions based on merit has been his only backrest.

However, despite being considered an underdog in the gubernatorial race, it bewilders all human sanity that barely seven months into the race for the government house keys, the personality of Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade is beginning to give certain elements in the Osun political circle serious goose bumps. Precisely speaking, majority of the elements in the PDP who initially played prominent roles in the process leading to the exit of Fatai Akinbade from the party are beginning to feel threatened by the growing support Fatai Akinbade is attracting. What I wonder, is why these self-acclaimed bigwigs believe the man they once tagged a no-factor has now become a threat to the political ambition of their candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

They refused to openly acknowledge this fear, they continued putting up a strong face just the society will keep believing they hold all the stakes; they decided to attack Fatai Akinbade’s ambition by proxy. Time and time again, rumours have continually been circulated by the PDP followers that their principal, Iyiola Omisore has reached a compromise with Alhaji Fatai Akinbade. The initial rumour was that Fatai Akinbade has agreed to step aside for Iyiola Omisore to become the Governor of Osun State under the platform of the PDP. That news was dead on arrival because of the re-energizing of the Fatai Akinbade campaigns across the state at the time that news was dropped into public ears.

Consequent upon the failure of that piece of rumour, the hardworking but vicious media team of the PDP began cooking a new version of the story; Fatai Akinbade has accepted an automatic senatorial ticket with the promise of four Commissioner slots for his followers upon the victory of Iyiola Omisore. What I cannot stop wondering is why these people with all the support they enjoy decide to battle the gentle Owu prince with rumours and media propaganda?

When Fatai Akinbade declared his intentions, he openly declared his resolve to achieve his ambition with level-headedness, respect for the rule of law, total absence of rancor towards any of the governorship aspirants of the twenty something other political parties in the state and he clearly stated, that he holds and will hold no grudge against anybody through the whole process. All through his travails while battling for the Labour Party ticket, he knew the persons using certain disgruntled elements within the Labour Party to cause him setbacks, yet he refused to openly name these persons who have chosen to attack his God-ordained project. I believe he knew that whoever God is fighting for does not sharpen the sword!

Upon hearing the newest rumour dropped today, three questions immediately came up in my little head; if Fatai Akinbade means nothing in the Osun governorship race as being touted in the media, why go to so much length to bring him down through the media? If he means nothing to the PDP, why deceive people into believing he has taken sides with Omisore? Are these people now beginning to truly realize the value of this gentle giant whose reputation in comparison with the other two top contenders still stand at an all-time high?

Between Fatai Akinbade and the rumours making the rounds, as is between God and man, no such media propaganda can deter this man from pursuing his meritorious ambitions to a victorious conclusion. Between Fatai Akinbade and the rumours making the rounds, as is between heaven and the earth, he stands firm in his conviction to rescue Osun State from the shackles of bad leadership and this conviction can never reach a compromise with the rumours. Between Fatai Akinbade and the rumours making the rounds, as is between the black and white colours, there never will be an agreement!

He knows, that the moment he bows to the pressure being mounted through the media, he automatically will lose the respect Osun people has accorded his personality. Bowing to this pressure will mean he has sacrificed his principles for the momentary pleasures that sucking up his previous vomit (the PDP) will afford. If there is anything I know about Fatai Akinbade, it is the fact that he holds his principles in very high esteem, they are non-sacrificial, non-negligible; they simply stand as his code for living.

Aregbesola can begin to pack his bags, for there is a fact that reigns supreme; the end has come for this reign of carelessness. Omisore however should tremble in his inner chambers, because as gentle as the Owu prince looks, lacking in his kind of financial and government support, he has armed himself with the strong weapon of resolution and his ambition remains undeterred looking from any dimension!

Between Fatai Akinbade and the rumours making the rounds, it is a no retreat, no surrender!

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN

IF I WERE YOU IN THIS BOKO HARAM CRISIS

I will bypass all show of courtesy so I can head straight for the cogent facts that I intend to establish in this short piece. This piece will be short enough to afford you the time and strength to read every last word of it, but it will be long enough to pressure your mind until you see the reason why this letter is coming from me at this time.

I should probably commiserate with you on the present situation in the country which is not just worrisome but is as well alarming. For me, I do sincerely hope that you are as disturbed in your mind about this issue, as your external expression on National television always makes us believe. I have never, and will never succumb to the school of thought which posited that the concerned look on your face has always been make-believe. Any right-thinking leader will be disturbed by the recent chain of events.

I do not exactly know which of the events we should begin to cry about; the abduction of the Chibok school girls? The killing of innocent souls? The abduction of respected community leaders and killing of the unlucky ones? Where exactly do we start our grief from as a nation? Particularly alarming is the abduction of the Chibok school girls who are still being held captive more than a month to the incident. Nigeria, the giant of Africa became helpless in the face of a handful of terrorists who do not measure up to 5% of the Nigerian population.

Most schools of thought, especially the ones with political funding believe the crisis has been aggravated by your incapability plus some good measure of insensitivity. While I beg to differ with this school of thought, I posit that instead of incapability and insensitivity, I think the Boko Haram problem has been aggravated by your inability to differentiate between what is important and what is expedient. In our current situation, desperate measures would have been perfect for desperate situations, the kind we have found ourselves in as a nation.

In a normal society where peace is reigning, the likes of Luxembourg, it will be possible to follow textbook-type rules of engagement in the movement of troops, discharge of criminal justice and negotiation of hostage situations. However, when in a war-like situation, and the lives of over 200 future mothers are at stake, more expedient measures has to be taken to ensure their release first, and then security beef-ups later.

While the crisis was just heating up, a few days into the abduction of these innocent school girls, a social analyst posited that the sect might be planning to use the girls as human shield in case of unexpected army offensives. However, news that filtered in later had it that the sect members were already utilizing the girls as sex toys, using them to pleasure their members at will. I see this as a temporary measure because I believe that as soon as a military offensive is launched to release the girls, they will eventually be placed in the line of fire as human shields. That is the most horrible way to die and I do not want us to imagine the possibilities.

Here we have found ourselves in a mad man vs. Normal human situation, which makes it definitely impossible to use reasonable approaches only to resolve the situation. A reasonable and legal approach would have been to mobilize troops towards the sect location and forcefully wrest the girls from their abductors. But, as we have found ourselves dealing with mad men who are ready to die and drag our promising daughters with them into the pit of hell, I think we need a twisty to that textbook approach.

Some days back, the US government released five Taliban in exchange for a US soldier who has been held captive in Afghanistan. It means it is not a new thing in the world of hostage negotiations to offer prisoners who were supposed to be sentenced for their crimes in exchange for the lives of innocent civilians, especially women and children. The Us government knew, that it can only get the detained soldier back alive if it offers the terrorist something which appeals to their self-interest. It does not matter if the criminals walk free, the life of that gallant soldier was worth more.

In this same situation that we have found ourselves, I do not believe that we stand to gain much from insisting on prosecuting detained Boko Haram members when the lives of our girls are at stake. If we can offer the freedom of these doomed criminals for the precious lives of our girls now being exposed to degrading conditions, I believe we stand to gain more as a society. Whether we do it ourselves or karma does it, these criminals are already condemned to the pit of hell; we should not afford them the luxury of taking our young girls along with them.  

If I were you in this situation Mr. President, I would offer everything that is in my capacity to secure the release of these girls. Their lives cannot be secured by military offensives for that will even endanger them even more, we just must intensify our negotiations. I would offer them the carrot of releasing their detained members in exchange for the freedom of my girls and strategize for the next opportunity I get to knock them off with sticks. That is the standard carrot and stick approach for a messy situation of the kind that we have found ourselves in.

It is important to deal with, prosecute and eliminate all elements of the Boko Haram sect, but if I were President, it would be expedient to get the girls back first, no matter what I have to do and deal with the important later. Whatever victory we achieve against the sect in commando style will be Pyrrhic when measured against the lives of our innocent girls that will be lost in the process. I would lose smaller battles (like releasing their members) so I can get my girls back and eventually win the war against terrorism. In the end, what will matter is who won the war, not the number of battles fought.

That is, if I were you....I hope you see some sense in my proposition and then act like I would have.

Long live Nigeria!!! Freedom to our Girls!!!