Re: 2019:Seyi Makinde and the rest of the pack

The piece by Dele Olayinka with the above topic in the Saturday Tribune of December 22, 2018 refers. The said article was employed to sell the candidacy of the PDP Gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde. While one sees nothing bad in campaigning for a candidate of one’s choice, what is of concern to lovers of democracy is the running down of other candidates in a bid to sell Seyi Makinde. One would not have bothered to say a word over the piece but Yoruba say, if a proverb is targeted at one and one keeps quiet, it is either one is guilty as claimed, or one is afraid of fisticuffs.

No Python Dance, no elections in Niger Delta

Among the candidates that the writer clandestinely urged to step down for Makinde is Otunba AlaoAkala, whose tenure in Oyo State was given “O yato” by appreciative people due to the prosperity brought on the people by his administration between 2006 – 2011.

Although, Olayinka acknowledged the administrative acumen of Alao Akala “an old political war horse he made positive marks during his first term in office”. However, with the positive marks in office, and having a constitutional right to seek a second term in office, the writer asked Akala to “take a deserved rest and leave the field for the younger elements…” The action of Olayinka shows that he does not care for the well being of the state but just for his candidate who has never occupied a political post, even a councillor to become the governor.

He cited Akala’s perceived dwindled followership, age as factors that made him inelectable or why he should quit the stage for the younger elements this time for Seyi Makinde who is 51 and not Adelabu who is 45. The fact is that Akala’s political followership is never dwindled. It is true that some had left his camp (including this writer in the past), but as some are leaving, others are coming. Also age has nothing to do with political contest. President Buhari is officially 76 and still contesting for the President’s post in Nigeria. Also, Atiku Abubakar is 72 and he also is seeking the same position with Buhari. In Plateau State, General Jerry Useni is contesting for governorship position at over 70. Then why the brouhaha over Akals’s age?

By and large, Akala stands tall among all the contestants for Oyo governorship seat. In terms of cooperate experience which is shown by some to be preserve of a few, Akala rose through the ranks in the Nigeria Police to become an Assistant Commissioner of Police. This means he is a security tsar and this is a plus for Oyo. In the field of Politics and Administration, Akala’s credentials are intimidating. He was formerly a local government chairman. We should recall that before it was crippled by almighty governors, local government served as a breeding ground for future leaders in Nigeria. He later served as a deputy governor and later a governor all in Oyo State. These experiences he brought to bear n administering Oyo in his first coming and made his period a water shed in the annal of Oyo. Space will not permit an elaborate assessment of Akala’s feat as Oyo Governor but suffice to say that in the area of security, he procured six armoured personnel carriers for the Nigeria Police and this zealed the hope of the men of the underworld of coming to Oyo. Since he bought the deadly war machine armed robbers had stayed away from Oyo State especially the cities where the APC are placed. Factually, the peace and security in the state which Ajimobi-led government in Oyo State is claiming as it’s achievement is a fallacy, the foundation was laid by Akala.

As a matter of fact, Akala touched all key sectors in the state while he held sway as the governor but time constraint will not permit me to state all. My position is that Oyo does not need a new comer as her governor in 2019 after years of cosmetic governance. Anyone coming to rule Oyo has hid or her job cut out for him or her. This is zeroed around three Ps, reinvention of economy, education, agriculture, forestry and environment. Secondly, reunification of the traditional institution with the society to mend the fabric in the society that has been ruptured. Third, is the rehumanisation of the segment of the society which has been dehumanised. These are civil servants and ordinarily folks that have been impoverished. Doing this requires a man of experience, tested, trusted and delivered. A leader who knows the nitty-gritty of Oyo life and understands Oyo socio-economic and political paradigm. This one is Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Adegbite wrote in from Ogbomosho, via ayekooto05@gmail.com