Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has signalled the commencement of electioneering campaign across the nation. Consequent upon this, political momentum has been gathering in all the nooks and crannies in the last couple of weeks.
The major stakeholders have taken to the political turf connecting, canvassing and mobilising the electorate for their aspirations in the forthcoming general elections.
It’s no exception in the pacesetter state as contending parties have rolled out their campaign machineries with a view to reaching out to the electorate-the key determinant factor in the election.
Before now, it’s generally believed that the battle for the soul of Oyo state is a three (3) horse race between the PDP, the party presently at the helms of affairs and APC, as well as Accord Parties. But, recent developments in the state is fast narrowing the contest to APC and PDP, as Accord party seems to have suddenly disappeared from the horizon.
It’s also instructive to note that the political structures of the two major parties remained fortified across the state, but with APC having unassailable and cutting edge partly on account of the pedigree and rich political antecedents of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin and more importantly on account of maladministration of PDP, as well as legion of misdemeanours of the incumbent governor.
There is no doubt that the people of the state are totally disgusted and frustrated with the governor’s continuous hobnobbing with Governor Wike in a political project that is clear they don’t have the slightest of a chance to triumph. Till date Governor Makinde has dissipated so much energy and efforts, as well as the state resources towards this unnecessary, wasteful and very selfish political agenda, which has almost crippled governance in the state.
It must be noted that, it’s on account of the governor partial abdicating of his responsibility towards purposeful governance that an ‘alternate governor’ has suddenly emerged in the person of Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila better known as Auxiliary, who have been making frantic efforts to assume the control of the state’s authority in his own unorthodox way. Auxiliary has continually been wreaking havoc and inciting large-scale violence across the state, thus constantly disrupting the economic activities by scaring away the local and foreign investors and also leaving on his trail pool of blood anytime him, alongside his bunch of vipers and blood-thirsty group strike.
The incumbent governor has also not covered himself in glory especially with controversies surrounding many contracts running into hundreds of billions of naira that his administration has awarded. The contracts in this bracket are the Ibadan Circular construction and Iseyin-Moniya roads recently re-awarded in the sum of #138.2 Billion and #9.9 Billion respectively.
On a related note, the needless multi billion Naira Park Management System complex at challenge seems a total waste of the state resources as the complex has been taken over by urchins, hoodlums and wreak within the ancient city, conveniently converting it to their recreation abode. Iwo road interchange to Olodo to Lalupon awarded for #12.5 Billion, as well as extravagant lighting projects across the state also call for serious questioning.
From the perspectives of political observers and discerning minds, there is no doubt that the state is too big for the incumbent governor to manage. Oyo state is unique and peculiar geographical location with very rich historical heritage.
Associated with the state is a certain political dynamics and chemistry that would continually left outsiders confounded and befuddled. In Governor Makinde three and half at the helms of affairs, its crystal that he hasn’t been able to grapple with the political dynamics and McCoy of the state because he’s an outsider. He would continue to do his best; but, this would never be enough.
This is where the Distinguished Senator Folarin towers above him and all other contenders for the governorship office comes 2023. Folarin is completely rooted in the politics of the state.
Even though, much younger, he’s been privileged to mix with the state’s notable political powerhouse like Lamidi Adedibu, Lam Adesina, Abiola Ajimobi, Alao Akala and Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja. He has wined and dined with these political titans, both the dead and the one alive. Indeed, he’s in tune with political developments from Ibadan to Oyo to Oke Ogun to Ogbomoso, as well as Ibarapa zones.
Folarin represented the state as Senator, Oyo Central Senatorial Districts from 2003 to 2011. Indeed, he was the senate leader in his second term as Senator. Then at a younger age, he was in the midst of high and mighty in the political sphere at the national level. His status as majority leader at the Upper Chamber provided him and other principal officers of the senate unfettered access to Aso Villa, as well as leverage to collaborating with the then president to run the affairs of the nation. It couldn’t have been better than that!
His present tenure in the senate could therefore be viewed as a bid to consolidating the national status he has assumed over years. This is the huge mileage and incredible pedigree he will be bringing to the state as governor comes 2023 God’s willing.
It’s also becoming clearer by the day that Asiwaju Tinubu may likely emerge the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. With this manifesting, it would be politically suicidal and miscalculation of immeasurable proportion for Oyo citizens to return Governor Makinde to power, as the state would suffer collateral damages.
Finally, the forthcoming election presents golden opportunity to the people of the state to return her into midst of progressives where it rightly belongs. This is the only path to tread by the people in order for the state to reclaim back her lost glory and crown as the political capital of the South/West.
The state remains the leading light in the general affairs of the Yorubas, but with PDP in control, she would continually be denied this accolade, as well as her pride of place. It’s therefore incumbent on all the citizens of the state to heed this clarion call by voting all APC candidates, most especially Senator Folarin into offices. This is our bet to remain relevant in the nation politics and also get connected with the impending Tinubu presidency at the federal level.
