Ogun State is from all indications, relatively peaceful, safe, politically stable and progressive. However, in spite of the fact that Ogun sons and daughters are generally known to be peace-loving, accommodating and hardworking, some politicians have while pursuing their selfish inordinate ambitions, used politics to cause friction and tension among the law-abiding citizens thereby heating up the polity for their benefit.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel was winner of the 2003 governorship election in Ogun on the ticket of PDP. During his first four-year term (2003-2007), the state witnessed unprecedented rapid socio-economic and industrial development. However, the enviable prevailing peace and tranquility that allowed good governance and business to thrive were disrupted when Daniel formally disclosed his intention to seek re-election in 2008. There was prolonged tension in the state arising from protracted feud between the Governor Gbenga Daniel-led Executive and the Ogun State House of Assembly led by Speaker Tunji Egbetokun that had earlier impeached the first-ever female Speaker of Ogun, Mrs. Titi Oseni. The rift between the Executive and Legislature was so serious that on two occasions, the then House of Representatives, headed by Ogun indigene, Speaker Dimeji Bankole, threatened to take over duties of Ogun State House of Assembly.
Later, as it was witnessed recently during the APC governorship primary election in Ogun, the political crisis deepened following the parallel governorship primaries conducted by the ruling PDP. Mr. Gboyega Isiaka from Yewa who was the preferred candidate of Daniel’s PDP faction defected to newly-formed Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), along with his supporters while remnants of PDP whose candidate, also from Yewa, Chief Adetunji Olurin, strongly backed by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, jostled for ticket of ticket of their factional party in Ogun.
In spite of monumental problems he encountered, Daniel eventually obtained his party’s much-needed ticket for second term. Unfortunately, he could not build on achievements recorded between 2003 and 2007 due to the unresolved hydra-headed feud between the executive and the legislature. Level of development in various sectors slowed down considerably during his second term. As expected, the unending crises emerging from various fronts led to collapse of PDP in Ogun and this was capitalised on by the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) whose candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, later emerged winner of 2011 governorship election. Following arrangement with ANPP, CPC and faction of APGA, ACN had since metamorphosed into All Progressives Congress (APC). Like Daniel in 2003, Amosun hit the ground running on assumption of duty in 2011 and has so far recorded impressive landmark achievements in various sectors.
However, like Daniel in his second term that witnessed turbulent political crises that crippled further development, the on-going avoidable political stalemate arising from the recent parallel governorship primary elections that produced two candidates, could distract Amosun from his promise to complete on-going projects before vacating office in 2019. It will not be in his interest and that of his administration to allow the lingering political quandary fester longer than necessary.
His wish for somebody from Yewaland that is the only area yet to produce governor since Ogun State was created 42 years ago to succeed him is understandable but due process should be followed to ensure fair play, transparency and credibility. This was why past efforts by Daniel to foist his anointed Gboyega Isiaka, as well as Obasanjo’s plan to force his political favourite, Adetunji Olurin – both from Yewaland, down the throats of the rest of us in Ogun, failed as they lost in elections. Although Olurin seems to be resting following his disastrous defeat, further attempts over the years by Isiaka to realise his ambition have also failed. Recently, he defected to African Democratic Congress (ADC) to contest 2019 governorship election.
The deafening hues and cries over governor from Yewaland, are disturbing. The battle for governorship of Ogun in 2019 should not be a do-or-die affair. Even if it is only Ogun West Senatorial District that is yet to govern the state, the ticket cannot be handed over to the zone on a platter of gold. If the zone has capable hands, they should come out to compete with others. If any of them emerges winner in a credible election, nothing stops him or her from governing Ogun. An illustrious daughter of Yewaland, Alhaja Salmot Badru, was Deputy Governor for eight years when Daniel was governor and she performed well. At various times, Isiaka and Olurin had contested for governorship but failed. Isiaka intends to take another shot at it in 2019.
I recall that on June 5, 2017, Amosun had while addressing members of National Assembly representing Ogun State and members of Ogun State House of Assembly at Government House, Abeokuta, called for emergence of consensus candidate from Ogun West Senatorial District in 2019 governorship election. His promise to Traditional Council of the zone that he would support any candidate from there was a step in the right direction. He has the constitutional right to do so. However, while exercising this right, the seemingly audacious and undemocratic manner he foisted his preferred candidate from Yewaland, Adekunle Akinlade on the people while the governorship primary election conducted by the Election Committee from the National Working Committee had declared Dapo Abiodun candidate of APC in 2019, was below expectations.
As governor of a state that is richly endowed with highly educated, enlightened and law-abiding citizens, Amosun and Akinlade should have accepted their fate like good sportsmen since Abiodun had been declared winner by a recognised constituted authority of APC. The unnecessary heated tension that swept across the state following the governor’s visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, as well as the purported ill-advised protest by naked Ogun women must have been a source of embarrassment to right-thinking indigenes of Ogun. By the way, Amosun was reported to have threatened to hand over to Akinlade in 2019 instead of Abiodun. This cannot be true because he is aware of the implications and would not like to throw the state into incalculable political turmoil.
It is in the interest of Amosun to humble himself by learning from the calamity that befell Daniel and PDP in Ogun in 2011. As APC leader in Ogun, he should work for victory of Abiodun and APC in 2019 as his widely rumoured proposed defection to DPP is not suitable option. However, in 2019, the ruling APC in Ogun should avert what led to loss of the state by the then ruling PDP in 2011. Having produced two governorship candidates in parallel primary elections, Ogun APC has shown signs it is in disarray. Sadly, Ogun PDP too, also produced two factional candidates in parallel primary elections.
END
Be the first to comment