Things
are changing and we can't afford to be adamant. Politics is such an interesting
game and Nigeria's own is much sweeter, only that it's not for dullard and
learners!
Ever since the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the grand patron of OGD political family, the largest political family in Western Nigeria officially announced he would return to PDP there has been rumbles in several camps of OGD family. Much has been said and published regarding the issue but of all the stories authored on social media, Fela Rotimi's piece appeared shocking where he labelled the action as 'ambitious criss-crossing and outrageous dis-loyalty to voters.'
He further lamented the plight of thousands of taken-for-granted and forgotten innocent electorates who are neither carried-along, nor have their opinions sampled in the negotiations and are left confused by rumour mills.
Many even viewed Labour Party (LP) in the light of this action as not more than a mere ram one reared and nourished only to be slaughtered for festive merriment. This can be said to be true given the fact same OGD built and nourished LP to become the strongest force in Ogun and imagining same party collapsed into another party with the consent of the one who built it calls for questioning.
Labour Party surely had earned a high-profile show of acceptance from Ogun people in the last few months. Confidence in LP has continued to soar to high heavens with the activities of the stakeholders of the party. It has exhibited unparalleled readiness to transform Ogun for better if voted in comes 2015. Supporters of political aspirants for various offices made the campaign more interesting but challenging for the incumbent government. In summary, LP dwarfed other main parties in ideas, programmes, consolidation, organisation, political oration and paraded best brains Ogun can ever produce!
Sina Kawonise for instance, is a combination of abilities; a resourceful entrepreneur, outstanding media giant with enviable past records in public office and private business. This proud Ijebu son has done wonderfully well and has all it takes to move Ogun forward. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is a complete gentleman with proven track records. A seasoned banker of all times. What about Sarafa Tunji Ishola, who is equally a seasoned administrator and a qualified candidate for the job? All these people have reasons to be worried at action of the leadership of LP to merge with PDP.
In fact, sizeable percentage of OGD political family are bound to detest the idea at this time but same action might end up becoming blessing for the family and those who might have resolved to stay back in LP may still need to have a re-think. Either ways, those who moved to PDP shouldn't be seen as cowards, while those who might still be skeptical shouldn't be viewed as being disloyal to their leaders. It's a personal decision only that a personal interest shouldn't supersede party's political ideology.
It would be recalled that PDP was defeated in the last election not because the opposition had greater hold on the people but largely because of the internal crisis within the PDP fold. Whenever there's a problem in larger organisations, smaller ones take such opportunity to excel, same for political parties. In the 1990s here in Lagos, the conflict between Messers Agbalajobi and Dapo Sarumi paved way for the emergence of late Micheal Otedola. The same thing happened in Ogun in 2011. The conflict in PDP gave birth to PPN and same dis-agreement between top stakeholders gave victory to Amosun of the then ACN at the time.
Ever since the former governor of Ogun State Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the grand patron of OGD political family, the largest political family in Western Nigeria officially announced he would return to PDP there has been rumbles in several camps of OGD family. Much has been said and published regarding the issue but of all the stories authored on social media, Fela Rotimi's piece appeared shocking where he labelled the action as 'ambitious criss-crossing and outrageous dis-loyalty to voters.'
He further lamented the plight of thousands of taken-for-granted and forgotten innocent electorates who are neither carried-along, nor have their opinions sampled in the negotiations and are left confused by rumour mills.
Many even viewed Labour Party (LP) in the light of this action as not more than a mere ram one reared and nourished only to be slaughtered for festive merriment. This can be said to be true given the fact same OGD built and nourished LP to become the strongest force in Ogun and imagining same party collapsed into another party with the consent of the one who built it calls for questioning.
Labour Party surely had earned a high-profile show of acceptance from Ogun people in the last few months. Confidence in LP has continued to soar to high heavens with the activities of the stakeholders of the party. It has exhibited unparalleled readiness to transform Ogun for better if voted in comes 2015. Supporters of political aspirants for various offices made the campaign more interesting but challenging for the incumbent government. In summary, LP dwarfed other main parties in ideas, programmes, consolidation, organisation, political oration and paraded best brains Ogun can ever produce!
Sina Kawonise for instance, is a combination of abilities; a resourceful entrepreneur, outstanding media giant with enviable past records in public office and private business. This proud Ijebu son has done wonderfully well and has all it takes to move Ogun forward. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is a complete gentleman with proven track records. A seasoned banker of all times. What about Sarafa Tunji Ishola, who is equally a seasoned administrator and a qualified candidate for the job? All these people have reasons to be worried at action of the leadership of LP to merge with PDP.
In fact, sizeable percentage of OGD political family are bound to detest the idea at this time but same action might end up becoming blessing for the family and those who might have resolved to stay back in LP may still need to have a re-think. Either ways, those who moved to PDP shouldn't be seen as cowards, while those who might still be skeptical shouldn't be viewed as being disloyal to their leaders. It's a personal decision only that a personal interest shouldn't supersede party's political ideology.
It would be recalled that PDP was defeated in the last election not because the opposition had greater hold on the people but largely because of the internal crisis within the PDP fold. Whenever there's a problem in larger organisations, smaller ones take such opportunity to excel, same for political parties. In the 1990s here in Lagos, the conflict between Messers Agbalajobi and Dapo Sarumi paved way for the emergence of late Micheal Otedola. The same thing happened in Ogun in 2011. The conflict in PDP gave birth to PPN and same dis-agreement between top stakeholders gave victory to Amosun of the then ACN at the time.
Sentiments apart, it isn't a child's play wrestling power from an
incumbent government let alone a government that does not give a damn if a
thousand people die all in a bid to return to power. I believe so much in
Labour Party, yet I still contest the survey results that rated it as the
strongest in Ogun. The truth is Labour Party is much more stronger in Ogun East
but not the same for Ogun Central and Ogun West.
Going into next year’s general election with these indicators might result in political suicide. It's in the light of all these facts that I would give kudos to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for that brilliant move. I believe going into a coalition with another political party that also has some grounds might just be what we need.
Those who have their eyes trained on political participation would undoubtedly agree with me that only a solid coalition of all the old PDP members scattered all over different parties would give Amosun a chase in 2015.
Going into next year’s general election with these indicators might result in political suicide. It's in the light of all these facts that I would give kudos to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for that brilliant move. I believe going into a coalition with another political party that also has some grounds might just be what we need.
Those who have their eyes trained on political participation would undoubtedly agree with me that only a solid coalition of all the old PDP members scattered all over different parties would give Amosun a chase in 2015.
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