Ogun 2019: Once beaten, twice shy

I have followed political events in my state not just as a loyal and principled party man but as a stakeholder in the socio-economic development of Ogun State. I may not be one of those well known chieftains of the party, but to the extent that I play my part actively in my area, I consider myself a stakeholder. It is high time I also made my position known on certain burning issues in the state, especially the 2019 gubernatorial race.

I acknowledge the current Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is limited in some ways. So are his political appointees. Certain things are better left for those of us party men who aren’t in government to espouse. I read a lot of lies these days in the papers and I wonder what exactly is at stake. Where did Amosun boast that he would install a successor at all costs? Is it now an offence to declare openly that you would support a candidate from an area deprived for years and urged the people to find a candidate who had been with them and could genuinely identify with their aspirations?

I agree with one response in defence of  the governor recently, although it did not go far enough. The writer appeared to speak tongue-in-cheek. She had said:

“It goes without saying that Governor Amosun swore to an oath to protect the constitution and under no guise must he be seen to subvert same (for political expediency). Contrary to speculations, he has nothing personal against anyone who shows any interest in becoming the governor. Amosun has in recent months been bombarded with visits by concerned stakeholders in the state who feel insulted by a queer politics of attempting to straddle two states at the same time. But more importantly are the messages and representations from a broad spectrum of the majority of residents that put him in power. All the governor has done is to amplify the outrage of the people against the bare-faced insults and upending of a moral standard expected of a worthy representative, in the ultimate hope that reason will triumph over political cum moral brinkmanship.

“It strikes one as thick, too thick, that a moralist will see nothing wrong in a politician being a representative of constituents in one state with a remuneration package to serve those constituents and that same representative is devoting all his resources (time, money and energy) to be the super representative not of the same constituents or bigger constituency in the same state but in another state!”

The naked truth is that no one can simply descend from thin air to Ogun State to become the governor. Our people have become too sensitive to the background of who or who should not govern them, especially in the light of their experiences in not too distant past. “Once beaten, twice shy,” goes the saying.

If someone came to you and told you he’s from Town A, the next day he said it was no more Town A but Town B; and with another eye on Town C, what would be your opinion about such a fellow? We know of forum-shopping, shopping for jurisdiction et al. Now, should root-shopping also enter our political lexicon? Must anyone become so desperate to be elected if they truly wish to serve the people without ulterior motives?

Yes, I hear the world has become a global village and that it is parochial and primordial to ask for the state of origin of any one who aspires for political leadership. Sure then, and why not? Ha ha ha! A Nigerian may aspire to become the Queen or King of Britain because the world is now a global village!

Every state has its own peculiarity. In Ogun, the stand of the majority is that the state in foreseeable future will only allow a true son-of-the-soil to preside over the affairs of the state.

I wonder why Governor Amosun should be made the scapegoat for merely echoing the position of majority of party men and people of Ogun State. Even at every turn he will tell you, “We are not God!”

But as the saying goes, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Let the man serve the people of Lagos West with his body, soul and spirit rather than robbing Peter to pay Paul. Resources acquired in the name of Lagos West should be spent on the people of Lagos West. That is the path of moral rectitude. It the path of honour. That’s my candid advice for him. And that’s the position of majority of Ogun indigenes.

Adekunle writes from Ota, Ogun State.