O to ge! How a people took their fate in their hands

A review of Tony Oyeyiola’s book, O tó gé: How Kwara People took their destiny in their hands by Emmanuel O. Ojo.

This 212-page and 11-chapter book by Tony Oyeyiola is a latest addition to the growing literature on Nigerian government and politics. Titled, O to ge!, Enough is Enough in English translation, the book chronicles how Kwara people took their kismet in their hands.

According to the author, the team at the Hook Creative Agency (Campaign consultant of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq) originated the cliche – O to ge – a campaign slogan which no doubt is an innovative addition to the political lexicon of Nigerians.

The book’s foreword was crafted by two eminent personalities, Ambassador AbdulFatai Gambari and Dr Ibrahim Bashir, current Head, Department of History and International Studies of the University of Ilorin.

From the thrust of the book (pp. 21-28), which no doubt introduced its contents, the reader is not kept in unnecessary suspense. In lucid language, the author disclose that the book is about the ‘O to ge’ phenomenon which is a clarion call on all and sundry for better tomorrow by denouncing the ‘inglorious’ past in Kwara political economy that spanned as long as 40 years! The cliché became a battle cry for Kwarans to liberate themselves completely from the Saraki dynasty. By the account of the book, in the 2019 general election, the dynasty is vividly humiliated and obliterated in a manner no one expected. The author notes that opinion differs about the perceived target of the ‘O to ge’ movement. While some are of the view that it is about the dynasty as represented by the Oloye himself, that is, the late Chief Abubakar Olusola Saraki, which stretched to over 40 years; others are of the view that it is against Dr Bukola Saraki’s reign as both governor for eight years and ‘Governor-General’ through his godson, Governor AbudlFatai Ahmed, for another eight years.

In chapter one entitled, ‘Kwara: From the Beginning’, the author delves into the controversy surrounding the crisis of identity the state is well known for. Geographically, the state is below River Niger, that is, in the South, but politically in the North! It is like stirring the hornet’s nest. The author extensively traces the origin of the Kwarans for the benefit of readers who might be oblivious of the historical evolution of the state. However, the author could have avoided a needless controversy with the role of Afonja in the historical metamorphosis of Ilorin Township, moreso that the book is more of a political movement/revolution than a historical excursion. Similarly, categorisation of Kwara State on the basis of religion is not in good taste nowadays given the current government’s efforts at national integration.

Chapter two is devoted to the political dynasty proper over the years. The chapter gives the reader comparative knowledge of how similar ‘godfatherism’ became a fad in several other developed and developing countries. The chapter highlights the modus operandi of Oloye Olusola Saraki vis-à-vis his emergence at the political firmament of Kwara State until he becomes an entrenched oracle in Kwara politics. The role of the late Alhaji A.G.F. AbulRazaq (SAN), the father of the incumbent governor of the state, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is given due prominence on how he encouraged the late Oloye Olusola Saraki to return home and get involved in Kwara politics (p. 44).

Thus, Oloye, as fondly called by his admirers, entered the political terrain like a meteor with philanthropy; matchless in delivering social services to his people. This eventually gives him the ‘key’ that opened and locked Kwara politics for decades until his biological son comes on stage in 2011 (p. 48).

Chapter three chronicles the key political battles fought, won or lost by Oloye for decades, makes an interesting reading too. A number of them are cited to buttress the point that Oloye was a political demagogue that bestrode Kwara politics for a very long time. Few of them are: the epic battle with the late Adamu Attah (1983), Mohammed Alabi Lawal (2003) and his son, Bukola Saraki (2011).

Chapter four dwells on how Senator Bukola Saraki takes the position of Kwara political czar after undermining the political influence of his father. The author interviews a number of politically-relevant people to compare and contrast the dispositions of both father and son relevant to the polity.

Chapter five, On the Dark Cloud, highlights the performance of Dr Saraki as Senate President with the concomitant effect of almost putting into abeyance the home front. The way and manner he staged the ‘June 11, 2015 ‘coup,’ that is, the intrigue that brought him forward to attain the Senate President seat is well documented.

Chapter six, ‘the beginning of the end’ makes an interesting reading also. A number of reasons the political empire built by the dynasty crumbled are catalogued.

Chapter seven has to do with how Kwarans made up their minds against alleged bad leadership over the years that brought about poverty, underdevelopment, impoverishment, hunger, etc. All these are the harbinger of the ‘O to ge’ movement.

It took the author seven earlier chapters before the main thrust of the book which bothers on the ‘O to ge’ phenomenon was fully discussed and analysed in chapter eight. A lackadaisical reader might have given up with the needless biographical information in the preceding chapters.

Chapter nine entitled ‘the big factors’ surprisingly chronicles major reasons the dynasty crumbled and the success of the revolution. To an avid reader, this is unwarranted recapitulation as virtually all the reasons adduced were mentioned in earlier chapters.

The last chapter, expectedly, cautioned the prime beneficiary of the revolution – Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq – on the imperative of being constantly reminded of how he got to where he is today by being in tune constantly with the wishes and aspirations of an average Kwaran. The chapter is like keeping him on his toes that his government must not derail but satisfy the yearnings of Kwarans rather than the select few who are political vampires that wet the ground for the movement.

I therefore recommend the book to public policy makers, politicians, students of political science and general public in general.

• Dr Ojo is Associate Professor of Comparative Politics, Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Buhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other Services

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers…

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital…

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…