By Tayo Oyekanmi
In the book, “AWUJALE, The Autobiography of Alaiyeluwa Oba S.K Adetona Ogbagba 11”, Kabiyesi wrote inter alia on page 179/180. “As for Ogun State, I took a stand leading to the Ogun State gubernatorial election in 1999 that it was time for Yewa man to become our Governor. The state has three prominent groups; the Egbas, the Ijebus, and the Yewas. Both Ijebu and Egba have had their sons as Governor. I thought in the interest of fairness and going by rotation the politicians clamored for, the next governor should be from Yewa. To ensure this, I called a meeting of the Ijebu political leaders and marshaled my arguments in favor of having a Yewa man emerge as the next governor of Ogun State. I had no Yewa son or daughter in mind, and it was not for me to choose. I was just going by the fairness of it in the interest of the State”.
For the few individuals like Otunba Deji Osibogun singing discordant tunes that the Ijebu Division should take the Governorship seat after Governor Dapo Abiodun, one would urge them to enrich their reading culture and learn more from those who should know. The above extract from AWUJALE’s book will help in deepening their understanding of the history of Ogun State. As far back as 1999, AWUJALE said he has been clamoring for justice and fairness on behalf of Ogun West. AWUJALE is not just one of those Obas, he is the custodian of not just the culture and tradition of Ijebu but also an historical reservoir. His influence looms large across the country.
In a similar vein, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola, the former Nigeria Ambassador to the UK, whose personal aspiration is an open secret, has been throwing all kinds of darts against Ogun West aspiration. He even goofed by saying the Egbas have resolved to have the Governorship back in the zone in 2027. This is preposterous, fallacious, insensitive, and the highest level of political immorality. The opinion of Sarafa can’t be equated to be the general opinion of Egba nation. This is the same Alhaji Sarafa, who was the campaign DG of APM’s governorship candidate, Hon Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, an Ogun West man in 2019 with imprimatur of senator Ibikunle Amosun. Sarafa was also with Biyi Otegbeye in 2023. The implications of the present stance of Alhaji Sarafa is that he sabotaged those two outings of Ogun West sons that he was an integral part of just for him to be in an advantageous position in 2027. But man is not God. Ogun West has changed. Ogun West is now yielding perennial lamentation to the likes of Alhaji Sarafa and Otunba Deji Osibogun, whose opinions are personal, laced with individual blindfolded ambition package to hoodwink the people of Ogun State.
The “never-experience-before” kind of representation that Sen Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) has been giving Ogun West senatorial district is now the cynosure of all eyes across the state. It’s enough to send jitters to the spine of oppositionists and competitors. The current reality across Ogun State today is that no political permutation around 2027 will take place without Yayi’s name cropping up conspicuously. Those who had always seen Ogun West as a pawn in the political chess board of Ogun State and more as a whining baby are now developing goosebumps. Yayi is the cause and effect. So the attack against him has been fierce and ferocious as they can be but with no effect. The likes of Otunba Deji Osibogun should exercise patience. Yayi hasn’t declared Governorship aspiration at least, officially. The man is still preoccupied with making life more meaningful for the people of Ogun West and, by extension, Ogun State through effective collaboration with Governor Dapo Abiodun. Therefore, the energy being dissipated on the personality of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and his yet to be declared governorship aspiration is misplaced. The mudslinging will continue to fizzle away like a mirage because they are not based on any material facts but warranted with bad intentions. Propaganda does have its limitations! It’s Yayi’s finest hour. The people can see it, and Yayi is seizing it with a kind of representation that has never been heard of.
Despite the cacophony of voices ahead of 2027, the choice of Yayi from Ogun West for the Governorship won’t be a superficial anecdote or formula for solving the perennial intractable problem of Ogun West. But it will be an act of good and abiding fate to change historical lexicon of not just Ogun West, but that of Ogun State in general, where no one will regard the other as a junior partner or servant in the collective patrimony of Ogun State. Yayi is currently the face of developmental politicking in Ogun State. He’s the cheerleader of some sort. Yayi has become an unstoppable force of nature politically. Gathering major and key players around Ogun political turf and even nationally with ease like the honey bees gathering nectar in the middle of flowering season. It’s becoming crystal clear to all and sundry that Yayi is unflappable even with all targeted bricks against his person. His good deeds are spreading like gospel’s truth across the 3 senatorial districts and daily winning adherents. Yayi is nonpareil, highly inimitable, and a consumate patriot. Anyone will be in order to describe him in any superlative terms. He had earned it by the acts of his hands and mind. With Yayi as APC guber candidate in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun can easily go to bed as the State will be in the safest hands.
Otto Von Bismarck once opined politics as the art of possible, the attainable, and the art of next best. Clearly and ahead of 2027, Yayi is the possible. He’s the attainable, most reliable, and next best after Governor Dapo Abiodun tour of duty in the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun must spot this. It may however take brilliance, discipline, sacrifice, intelligence, vision, patriotism, farsightedness, deep retrospection, and much more for Gov Dapo Abiodun to sincerely judge the moment, recognize the period and produce the confidence and boldness to cease the occasion, and upstage those who are working tirelessly, and albeit, selfishly to derail him from having peaceful succession. As a student of politics and power, I’m aware that elections are mostly about three Cs: condition, candidate, and culture. The condition in APC today nationally, which is saddled with the statutory responsibility of conducting selection of candidates. This places Yayi in a vintage position. I need not expanciate more. Only the act of God can alter it. Yayi, as a candidate, is a special brand himself and metaphorically a success at the poll. He has a believability and winning mentality culture. Anyone in doubt can go memory lane, conduct background checks, and his antecedents.
In all of these, Yayi should not and can not be tired of doing that, which is right for the people. He must be ready and continue on the altruistic trajectory of working like the best Swiss clock for the common good of the people. It is his works that are speaking for themselves. He must not interrupt as Henry J. Kaiser counseled.
