‘What has happened in Osun State is proof that Nigeria as a political environment is changing with rapid speed. Many are hoping that one day our constitution would be amended to accommodate independent candidates so that political parties which are neither driven by ideology nor values would not continue to subsist as the only platforms through which people can fulfill their quest to serve‘
THOSE hallucinating that Osun election signposts what would happen in 2023 at the centre are displaying crass ignorance and a wrong reading of the nation’s political barometer. Osun election is a universe apart and not symptomatic of the expectations of 2023. It rather offers a new lease that the upcoming election would be defined more by personal records of contestants than political platforms.
The Adelekes who are from Ede are notable names in the social, economic and political circles of Osun State. The scion of the family is Adedeji Adeleke, the father of Nigerian music icon, Davido. Adedeji is the President of Adeleke University as well as Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Holdings Limited, a thriving business concern. One of the Adelekes, late Isiaka was the first democratically elected governor of Osun State in 1992 . He was in office till November, 1993. He was to later be a two time Nigerian senator.
The Adelekes are therefore entrenched names in the politics of Osun State. Senator Ademola Adeleke who also contested for a seat in the Senate and won as an obvious replacement of the late brother, Isiaka Adeleke has also over the years endeared himself to the people. In 2018, he contested for the office of governor of Osun State. The election protracted into a rerun in some parts of the State and Ademola Adeleke lost in circumstances that were considered curious and suspect. The result of this particular election can therefore be seen as a restitution to him by the people of Osun and a restoration of that suspiciously lost mandate.
The emergence of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the elected governor of Osun State follows an interesting pattern and socio/political intersections. Firstly, Osun State is a State that an incumbent hardly returns even though Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola broke that jinx. The likes of Adebisi Akande (1999-2003) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (2003- 2010) could not do full two terms. Osun which prides a motto of Land of Virtue, is a community of politically enlightened people who have built their public expectations of governance. When a leader departs from these expectations, the people correspondingly reject such a leader at the next poll. This is how they exhibit the beauty of democracy. Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is said to be owing months of salary arrears to civil servants. He is also rated very low in performance. Going into an election with such sordid record in a politically active environment was already a death sentence that had no way of surviving the tide of positive public rating. Oyetola failed because he failed the people. Even his predecessor who supported and facilitated his emergence in 2018 parted ways with him.
The dancing Senator could be said to have won the election purely on his steam and not because he is a member of PDP. Adeleke would have won the election on any platform. Here is the record that persuades this submission. Out of the 26 members of the House of Assembly, PDP has only 2, the rest are APC. Of the 9 members of House of Representatives, again only 2 are PDP, the rest are APC. Then of the 3 senators, only 1 is PDP, the 2 are APC. The pattern as aforestated explains why PDP should be circumspect in celebrating this victory. It is not exactly its victory, it has merely rub off. So PDP should celebrate with less din and rather think of how to build strategic bridges of peace to sustain Adeleke in power.
Yes, Adeleke is today the poster boy of Osun politics. But he is swimming in a water that is swarming with political big wigs like Tinubu, Bisi Akande, Iyiola Omisore, Aregbesola, Femi Fani Kayode and the media adviser of Mr President, Femi Adesina who are all chieftains and sons of the soil. How would Adeleke manage a tide swarming with these gladiators including a legislature that is far lopsided against him. It would require tact and wisdom to stay afloat. But most importantly, it would require outstanding performance that would enjoy high public rating. Anything short of these would make him susceptible and vulnerable.
What has happened in Osun State is proof that Nigeria as a political environment is changing with rapid speed. Many are hoping that one day our constitution would be amended to accommodate independent candidates so that political parties which are neither driven by ideology nor values would not continue to subsist as the only platforms through which people can fulfill their quest to serve. At the moment, people are held hostage by political parties with all the shenanigans and machinations that they easily invent. But be assured that 2023 would be different. It would be a referendum, not for political parties but individuals with vision, character and other impeccable qualities. Congratulations Senator Ademola Adeleke, the dancing Senator that is set to replace Governor Ben Ayade as the new dancing governor.
- Joe Iniodu is a public affairs analyst.
