OBATALA is one of the deities being worshiped in Yoruba land. Its adherents believe that Obatala is god himself; they therefore always appear in white, which they believe depicts his immaculate outlook. One of the guiding principles of his worshipers is equity. They are of the opinion that equity demands fairness in all ways.
Equity is a rule that must be applied in all the spheres their lives. It’s in tandem with the popular aphorism that says what’ssauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. This is, 50/50, no cheating, as some will say.
Equity demands that justice must not be skewed in favour of the master against the servant. This all-important rule supposed to be guiding principle directing the affairs of all humans be it in religion, business politics and so on and so forth. The law of equity is equally emphasised in the Bible as Jesus Christ said “ love thy neighbour as thy self” he went further to add that it’s the most important of all laws.
As humans we all like to be loved and given our dues, but the important question is do we love others in turn, do we give them their dues? This question brings us to the issue trending on social and conventional media over which zone should produce the next governor of Osun State.
The story of three masquerades would probably give readers an in-depth understanding of this important issue which some have twisted for their selfish ends.
Three masquerades set out to perform at a village square. After their scintillating performance, the excited village head gave them six bean cakes. The first masquerade grabbed three; the second took two. This display of greed by these two masquerades angered the third one who asked with clenched fist “are these cakes not six in number?”
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The other two masquerades answered in the affirmative. Still fuming with anger, he told them “ if we’re not out to cheat one another, this cake should be shared in twos. That’s equity, that’s fairness, and that’s justice.” After realising their follies, the two guilty masquerades retraced their steps and the bean cakes were shared equally.
Back to the issue of which zone should have what as being bandied by some for their personal gains, except we want to act like the two greedy masquerades, if not, it should be the turn of Ife.
Reasons abound to support the argument why the Ifes should be given the chance to rule the state if the advocates of zoning should carry the day. There are four major groups that constitute the present Osun State, namely, the Ijesas, the Ifes , the Oyos and the last but not the least, the Igbominas.
Out of these four groups, the Ijesas have produced Rauf Aregbesola, the Oyos produced the late Isiaka Adeleke of blessed memory and Olagunsoye Oyinlola while the Igbominas produced Chief Bisi Akande respectively, leaving only the Ifes who are yet to take a shot.
Today, Ife people are the only major group that are yet to produce a governor since the creation of Osun State. Where thenlies the equity and justice here? Aside the issue of these major groups, if zoning were to be considered as being canvassed by those who share this school of thought, there are six zones in the state namely, Ede, Iwo, Ilesha, Ile-Ife, Osogbo and Ikirun. Of all these zones, Ede, Ikirun and Ilesha have at different times ruled the state.
Ede was the first to produce the late Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, while Ikirun zone produced two governors, Chief Bisi Akande and Prince Olagunsoye Oyilola respectively. Ilesha zone has equally produced the incumbent governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola. The three other zones that have not yet occupied the topmost position in the state are Ile-Ife, Iwo, and Osogbo.
From the above analysis, it’s important to note that the Ifes are eminently qualified to demand and/or request to be given the chance to administer the state of which they are proud to be members if equity and justice are not to be thrown to the dog.
However, political pundits are of the opinion that only a candidate with robust credentials should be considered by the electorate if the people of the state are ready and willing to bail themselves out of the avoidable debts into which the APC government has plunged the state. They believe strongly that the people, who have been at the receiving end of the mis-governance of the state must make the right choice this time. They must invest in a candidate that has always been there for them and who understands how the state and the people can regain lost honour.
One particular candidate that towers above others in the current race is no other than Senator Iyiola Omisore. Whether in terms of administrative experience, business and academics, Omisore has the right credentials to take Osun State out of the woods. As a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic he used his influence to facilitate some life-changing projects to the state, a clear demonstration of the transformation Osun people can expect if they invest their votes and trust in him. But whatever parameters will be used to assess all the candidates, Ife people deserve their turn this time and let them carry the day.
- Afolami sent in this piece from Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, Osun State.
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