By Adekunle Adesida
The show of resolve to take over Alagbaka’s seat of power will assume
intensity across the state in few weeks. The gubernatorial poll which
fell short of two months already will hold on 10th October, 2020.
Already, in the bid to retain occupancy, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has put
in good stead by commissioning more infrastructure projects, making
some new appointments, reconciling with aggrieved party stalwarts
within his party, All Progressive Congress (APC), receiving other
political groups into his fold as well as distribution of various food
items through the “Widows’ Care” initiative of Wife of the Governor.
All strategically coincide with the build-up to the state
gubernatorial poll.
For a man who prepared and anticipated a successful re-election
bid, Mr Governor has begun well. His campaign would not be all about
making promise, but more about being determined to pursue his legacy
projects like Port Ondo, Modular Bitumen Refinery and consolidate on
existing infrastructural projects. Of course, Governor Akeredolu would
build strength around those.
The race has got crowded and would be keen for the fact that Mr.
Governor’s flaunted achievements in the past three years are grimaced
in many quarters and considered never the best for the citizenry.
Well, to make electorates trust them with their votes, what qualities,
manifestos and campaign strategies Eyitayo Jegede, SAN of the People
Democratic Party (PDP) and Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
are coming with into the race? Unfortunately, greed has enduringly
stayed as hallmark of our nation’s democracy and leadership. The PDP
aspirant publicly acclaimed himself to have conquered it. Agboola’s
successive defection should not be construed simply for inordinate
ambition to grab power, but perhaps a thirst for change that was
promised few years back. But not change yet has come. And he may as
well yet convincingly see any pedestal put in place for, or reason to
talk about the next level.
Despite his fall out of the ruling All Progressive Congress, it
seemed politically fantastic to have escaped impeachment from office
as Deputy Governor of the state. Indeed, he has proved himself to be
rooted in politics. He may have something to tell the electorates by
leveraging on the legacies of his party leader and the state former
Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko as well as flaws of the current
administration that he is a part of, although he has made a change to
a new political party.
Nonetheless, that is not the change electorates must embrace.
Rather, a change to voting their conscience and standing to make their
votes count. They must embrace change from vote selling and voter
apathy. As any favourable political future and democratic good deal
depend on how ready the masses are, the youths particularly to quit
political thuggery. We have a political process that has voters
education and enlightenment so relegated in the whole scheme of thing
and the political class has its benefit ever accrued to them. This is
a concern leaders at all levels, religious and civil society groups
must unite against. It is expected that electorates be imbued with a
frame of mind different from one that commonly attended our political
polls in the country.
If a united political party ever stands a chance to emerge
victoriously in an election of this magnitude, People Democratic Party
and Jegede need one.
For both heavyweight political challengers – Eyitayo Jegede and
Agboola Ajayi, if their chance would be how best they could take
Governor Akeredolu on as regard human and infrastructure development
in almost four years of his administration, and that his ambition to
secure two tenures would offer nothing better, much time have been
wasted already.
Now, the three senatorial districts of the state shared the three
heavyweight and sensational aspirants. And it is interesting even. It
seems a parallel political space and unusual advantage for each of the districts to achieve its clamour. But how each aspirant would ably negotiate, forge a workable alliance and woo admiration from across the districts would be a matter of interest in due time.
Voters, as sometimes so desired to stop recycling non-performing leaders or political parties that govern them; may have embraced the current political space and availed themselves of the alternatives offered by other political platforms such as African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and so on. But apparently, the aspirants run a mere media ambition. Political and financial clouts so required to prosecute the electoral process they seem to lack. Already, the
political parties and their candidates failed to mobilise and build
the needed influence among the grassroots.
- Adesida is a Senior Reporter with The Radiance.
