Adebola Oseni
By guile and intrigue, the politics of power transition in Ogun State is steadily but discreetly unraveling. Once again, it’s an interesting time here. To be sure, Nigeria is just one year into the new dispensation. So, effectively, we still have roughly three more years ahead before the curtain finally draws on the tenure of the present administration at the federal and state levels.
However, in politics, no time is too long or short for permutation. Sometimes, depending on what is at stake and with whom, 24 hours may be too long. Former Secretary of State for the Colonies of the United Kingdom, Joseph Chamberlin, aptly summed up the dynamics of the power game in its right perspective when he said: “In politics, there is no use looking beyond the next fortnight”.
Nevertheless, far ahead of the next governorship election, the scheming for the race to the Okemosan Government House has begun unofficially. Quite a few couple of names have propped up in the public discourse in recent times. Among the lots, all eyes are fixated on Senator Solomon Olalemilekan Adeola (aka Yayi) as the most influential, most popular, and most inspiring contender for the coveted seat. By the schedule of the electoral timetable for the next transition, the tenure of the incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, will end on May 29, 2027. Therefore, it’s about time the stakeholders in the state begin to rally around a capable successor who will consolidate the gains and achievements of the present administration.
In the last five years of his leadership, Abiodun-led All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a significant milestones in the areas of infrastructure, economy transformation, industrial investment, healthcare delivery, human capital development, youth and women empowerment, security, and agro-allied subsector, among other fields of human endeavour. And it will be an anti-climax to have a successor who will reverse the hands of the clock.
To sustain the present trajectory of economic growth, there is a need for strategic planning and the support of all and sundry for a candidate who has the character, the capacity, and the tenancy of purpose to lead the state to the next level of development. Doing otherwise will push the economy back downhill. The sure way to achieve sustainable development is for the stakeholders to come together to evolve a succession planning that focuses on the capacity for service delivery, resourcefulness, experience, grassroots support, acceptability, and financial wherewithal.
Due to its peculiar history as a home of political and intellectual giants Nigeria has ever produced, at no time had Ogun State experienced a short supply of competent personnel who could take the leading position in her journey to greatness. However, it makes the journey easier, faster, and smoother if we put in power someone already familiar with the terrain of governance.
It is a pleasant coincidence that Senator Adeola has become a household name in Ogun State politics before the race starts. He has paid all the dues to reach the level of his achievements in governance. He assumed the fame he has acquired above his peers through the dint of hard work, his commitment to the general good, effective representation, philanthropy, and benevolence gestures. Over the years, he has successfully warmed his way into the hearts of all categories of people within the civil populace. He identifies with the common people who see him as part and parcel of their ranks.
As an open contest, however, other prospective aspirants have also been flying the kite to test the water. They have been making high-level discreet consultations, holding nocturnal meetings, and other extraneous strategies that can give them an edge over other contenders. It is the right of every qualified person, man or woman, to aspire to the highest office in the state but it is not everybody that has correct mastery of the game. It is not every contender who knows the terrain of governance or has a direct connection with the people at the grassroots. Yet, politics is grassroots-based. Aspiring to lead without strong grassroots support is like building something on nothing.
It is worthy of note that since the inception of the present administration, Adeola and Governor Abiodun have always been on the same page raising the threshold of good governance. They are dependable allies striving to give the state the best it deserves.
As of today, Ogun State has reached such an enviable height in all fields of endavour that we must not fall below or falter if we are desirous of sustaining the good work that is ongoing and future consolidation of the achievements of the Abiodun administration.
It is, therefore, imperative at this juncture for the stakeholders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to put aside their primordial sentiments and unite together to ensure a successful power transition to the only tested and trusted person whom the good people of Ogun State already know for his antecedents in good governance.
No serious human endeavour can endure without a good successor. Succession planning is very crucial for the continued sustenance of good governance. It ensures that the succeeding administration continues to run smoothly without undue hitches following the exit of a leader from the seat of power or his movement to a higher level of opportunities. It is only by proper evaluation of the capacity of contending individuals that we can elect a successor who can add value to the structure that has already been built by the present administration of Governor Abiodun.
Apart from that, Adeola represents the face of the Yewa/Awori people whose rightful agitation for power shift to Ogun West can no longer be ignored. Subtly, all well-meaning indigenes of Yewa/Awori land have lent their voices to the call for the concession of the opportunity to produce the next governor. Over the years, they have been marginalized for too long. In the present circumstance, such a concession is the only pathway to a peaceful transition process that can assure the victory of the APC to retain itself in power in 2027. It is the only concession that can be seen to be just, fair and equitable.
In the new coming dispensation, we must ensure that policies of inclusivity, transparency, openness, and genuine sincerity of purpose are guaranteed in the succession planning to achieve victory for the APC. Successor grooming is the hallmark of a good leader. A leader without a succession plan is like a General without an army. It is not unusual for a leader to have a personal preference for one person or the other but ultimately the focus should be on the candidate who has the aura of general acceptability and the capacity to lead the party to victory. Experience of power transition in the last two successive administrations has shown that people abhor candidate imposition. It has shown that in a democracy imposition doesn’t work. Candidate imposition alienates but consultation, open and transparent process engenders broader participation, trust and confidence.
Without minding the fear of those who are already jittery about the rising popularity of Senator Adeola, the ultimate goal of the succession plan of Governor Abiodun should focus on the choice of a candidate who has demonstrable character, resourcefulness, political clout, and the capacity to take the state to the next level of development.
Good enough, like other parts, Ogun West has more than enough supply of outstanding achievers who have demonstrated capacity in all fields of human endeavours. One of such is Senator Adeola whose ambition to take a shot at the governorship seat has already received the blessing of all well-meaning people of Yewa/Awori land.
As a close and trusted ally of Governor Abiodun, Adeola has been working hard to support the efforts of the present administration towards the promotion of the general well-being of the people of Ogun State. He has a track record of good performance in various capacities he has served either as a private sector player or a politician. The trajectory of his political career as a lawmaker since the advent of the present civilian dispensation has been without blemish. As the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, he is in good stead to initiate policies that align with the ‘renewed hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Under his watchful eyes, Adeola will ensure the full presence of the federal government in the state by facilitating the necessary infrastructure for industrial and socioeconomic growth. His experience will be an asset to the state if allowed to be the governor. Brought up under the tutelage of President Tinubu, he has been adequately groomed through mentorship to take over the mantle of leadership. With decades of legislative experience, he is well prepared for the job.
Though he has not made any formal declaration of his intention, people are earnestly yearning for his leadership. The agitation for his candidacy has become an unstoppable wind of change. From the civil populace to traditional institutions, everybody is earnestly yearning for his Midas touch in governance, especially noting his imprints in virtually all sectors-road network, education, healthcare service, human capital development, youth and women empowerment etcetera.
For these endeavours, his popularity has become so infectious so much that some people somewhere are already in a frenzy emotion. They are jittery about the possible implication of his increasingly rising profile over their future political career. It is an unfounded hysteria that should be dismissed. Fear is not real; it only exists in the imagination. Adeola is for everybody, he will take care of the peculiar needs of the various interest groups in the state without fair or favour.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo recently echoed the grand style by some powerful individuals to thwart the ambition of Ogun West to produce the next governor when he said that unless the Ogun East and Ogun Central yielded ground, it would be difficult, if not impossible for Ogun West to make it to the Okemosan Government House. Regardless of the opposition of a handful of individuals who are hell-bent on sustaining the status quo, there will ultimately be a concession to the rightful agitation of the marginalised people of Yewa/Awori to produce the next governor.
This is bearing in mind that it is not the birthright of any section of the state to rule or dominate the power arena perpetually. In our common existence as a people, no part is subservient to the other. Everybody is an equal stakeholder in the state. There is no room for the born-to-rule stance of those who want to perpetuate their hold on the lever power at the expense of the other.
Like the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government, Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi, recently posited, Ogun West will continue to push on its aspiration for the governorship slot. In doing so, no effort will be spared in seeking the support of the relevant stakeholders from other zones.
Notwithstanding the daunting challenges threatening the people’s age-long aspiration to have their fair share of the power equation, there is a light at the end of the tunnel that the opportunity to produce the next governor will not elude Ogun West in 2027. All eyes are now on Senator Adeola to lead the charge, while an appeal goes to those other intending aspirants within the zone who are angling for the slugfest. There is no need to throw the charge only to look back and find no one following.
Oseni writes from Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital
