By Olawale Familusi
The last two days have been dramatic for the campaign teams of Najeem Sallam of the ADC and Bola Oyebamiji of APC as top clerics frontally asked why they think Ademola Adeleke did not deserve a second term.
Reports indicated that a few days ago, the Ambo team met some top clerics at Iwo, a town renowned for its deep Islamic history.
Eye witnesses at the meeting reported that the clerics openly asked the Ikire team to list what the APC has done for Iwo to warrant a vote for her guber candidate.
“One of the top Alfa stood up and asked: “ We love you. We truly have no problem with you. Our problem is that your party neglected Iwo when you were in office. You cannot point to anything you did for Iwo when you were in office.
“ That Ede man should have punished Iwo for not voting for him in 2022. He did not do that. See what he has delivered for Iwo. Roads, health centers, water works rehabilitation-why should we not vote for him ?
Another witness said an Alfa known for his closeness to the APC in the past rose from his seat and after reciting quranic verses said : A gbodo paro. Ademola Adeleke has done well for us at Iwo. I am sorry. Iwo has decided to vote Adeleke this time around”
Reports indicated that efforts by an Iwo prominent figure to persuade the clerics failed as the Mallams asked him: “ what were you able to bring to Iwo when you served with them?. Mention any development you brought”
The Ikire team reportedly left unceremoniously.
A similar situation was reported to have repeated itself today at Iwo when the ADC team came visiting.
Top source at the venue said Sallam led the team, requesting prayers for his gubernatorial ambition.
A top cleric very popular at Iwo was reported to have stood up even before the visitors made their presentations and spoke at length about neglect of Iwo by previous governments.
Speaking in Yoruba translated here, the cleric condemned the habit of politicians who called Iwo their second home but derived joy in abandoning the town after each election.
“ When you were in government , mention what you did for us. You came and lied to us to secure our votes and turned your back soon after.
“ Please tell us what the APC government delivered. Nothing. Only empty promises. Now you are here again, asking for our votes. How can we trust you when you have failed us in the past”
A leading cleric who hosted the meeting however minced no words when he took the microphone.
“ I welcome you to Iwo, ilu afa. Let me repeat what I said at a programme recently. Adeleke has done what Iwo has never witnessed since independence. He is bringing development on all fronts.
“ Even the blind can see the good things Adeleke is doing for Iwo. During your time , you did nothing for us. We have a governor who is delivering for us.
“ The governor did not punish Iwo for not voting for him in 2022. He rewards us with so many good things. So why should we not vote for him in 2026?
“ The prayer you requested is a hard one. We cannot reward good for evil. We have no reason not to support Adeleke”, the cleric was quoted as saying.
Sallam’s team promised to do something once elected, an assurance which the clerics called belated.
