By Comr Yekeen Adio TenTen
The 2022 Osun State Governorship election has come and gone and even won. But factors responsible for the poor outing of the incumbent Governor needs to be looked into.
I have been holding back from ventilating my opinion on the said election but I felt this is the appropriate time to make my feelings known on the nosediving of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola political fortune.
Though, so many factors were responsible for the dismal performance of Oyetola in the just concluded election but I will talk about some of them.
Firstly, the results of Osun state Governorship election is not a reflection or rejection of the APC based on performance in the state, but rather, partly, on the inability of the party to manage its internal crisis. APC as a political party is not organized. Perhaps because it got its leadership by default. And it has proven its incompetence in managing the affairs of the party. The arrogance at which the leadership is running the affairs of the APC is what is affecting it.
Let us take a critical look on how some set of people in connive with the State helmsman indiscriminate imposed unpopular candidates in the last State and National Assemblies “kangaroo” party primaries, where for example, a performing Senator from Osun West Senatorial District, Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo was replaced with an unpopular man. And the funniest part of it is that the announcement of that candidate was first made by a serving commissioner who is neither from Osun West nor part of the election Committee.
Secondly, the reward system of the party is very poor. In most cases, those who have put in everything they have for the party to gain the electoral victory in the state are not remembered. That is the truth. And that is further depleting the fortune of the party in the state.
Thirdly, the way most of Gov. Oyetola’s Aides and some elective office holders relate and talk to the people, most especially those whom they perceive as “enemies” or hold different opinions against the outgoing state boss speaks volume about their arrogance. And the Governor refused to checkmate them before it gets out of hands.
“Oyetola will be reelected for 2nd term with or without TOP (an APC factional group in the state)”, that was how one of the outgoing Oyetola’s commissioners said to the Ogbeni Aregbesola-led group, recently.
For the avoidance of doubt, I canvassed and voted for Gov. Oyetola out of respect for my leader and benefactor, Hon Akintayo Gafar Amere, the outgoing SA on Rural Development and Community Affairs, Engr. Mumini Olabamiji and my humble brother and friend, Sogo Omo Osun .
The results of this exercise should be a lesson to all Office Holders that people have the power to determine their political relevance. They should carry themselves with dignity and humility. They should not think they are the Alpha and Omega of every situation.
It should also be known that Nigerians are wiser now. If people can get up one morning and change a government in power, then nobody can take the people for granted again.
It is Gov. Oyetola today, who is going to be the next official to be dealt with tomorrow?.
Time will tell.
Comr Yekeen Adio TenTen a Public Servant and Youth Advocate writes from Osogbo
