OGUN 2027: OF HON AKINLADE, GNI, AKINOSI, NSO, YAYI AND THE REST OF US.
TAYO OYEKANMI.
Hon Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, member representating Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Consistuency in Ogun State recently raised the bar of discourse around Ogun West for Governor ahead of 2027 at an Islamic function in Ilaro.
The crux of Hon Akinlade's submission was that himself, Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon Tunji Akinosi, Engnr Noimot Saloko Oyedele; the Deputy Governor of Ogun State and Senator Yayi have a meeting point and that they are on the same page that Ogun West will produce the next Governor of the State. I dare say a thunderous AMEN to that supplication. But beyond prayer, the situation requires serious hardwork, truthfulness, thoughtfulness and objective evaluation of current reality to arrive at the expected destination.
Nevertheless, Hon Akinlade's solemn admonition has received wide applause from all and sundry. Hon Akinlade Abiodun has been craving to be Governor since 2011, better part of which myself and Julius Oyedokun had been part of the conceptualisation and implemention of ideas before now. Our respect for his person remains intact till tomorrow. Around 2010, the eventual Governor of the State, Sen Ibikunle Amosun wrote a letter to the highest hierarchy of the then ACN led by Aremo Segun Osoba pleading that they should make sure Hon Abiodun Akinlade is listed on the ballot to boost the chances of the party in Ogun West at the polls on account of not giving him the Governorship ticket. Such is the millage Hon Akinlade has built for himself overtime politically. With the latest submission of Hon Akinlade, we can conveniently say the conversation about who carries the flag on behalf of Ogun West has began in earnest.
During the conversation, Hon Akinlade made reference to Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka representing Imeko Afon/ Yewa North Federal Consistuency. GNI has been part of Governorship conversation in the state since 2011. He has been candidate of various political parties on three different occasions. Brilliant mind as one can imagine. He has enjoyed immeasurable support of stakeholders from Ogun West at different times. Dr Isiak Kunle Saloko, Sen Felix Kola Bajomo and Hon Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade at one time or the other have had course to step down for GNI in the time past. Approaching the next contest with an open mind with the kind of magnanimity of the mentioned individuals will be one of the ways to achieve our desire objective.
For Hon Tunji Akinosi, not much is known about his Governorship aspiration but he's more than qualified too. Hon Akinosi came to the consciousness of people of Ogun around 2010 when he was nominated to be commissioner under Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration. He was caught in the midst of division in the House of Assembly between G15 and G11. He was subsequently sworn -in as Commissioner for Agriculture. Hon Akinosi later gained National prominence with altercation with the then Speaker of Representative Hon Dimeji Bankole at the commissioning of Sango flyover bridge in support of Governor Gbenga Daniel. Since then, Hon Akinosi has experienced all seasons politically until his election into House of Representatives in 2023.
The Deputy Governor was also mentioned by Hon Akinlade as part of those having conversation about Ogun West Governorship project. Not much was known of Engnr Noimot Saloko Oyedele beyond Ota enclave before 2019 electioneering process. A stellar individual by all standards with good carriage. Upon her nomination as running mate to Prince Dapo Abiodun, she has been up and doing ever since. She has earned the respect and trust of her principal by her loyalty, dedication and selfless service. But does she have the wherewithal to put on the gauntlet for the Governorship project? I believe only the people will have the best answer.
As for Sen Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, beyond political sentiment and anyone been held down by extraneous issues, there's no better individual in Ogun West today to prosecute the Governorship race than Yayi. Throw the game open, it will be almost impossible to beat Yayi by anyone in Ogun West today. No one is better suited. Yayi has something special going for him; he has never lost any electoral contest since he began electoral contestation back in 2003. Yayi is synonymous to success at the poll. Currently, Yayi is the wave making one. Everyone is fully abreast of this. I doubt if there's any political actor in Ogun West today creating happiness for the greatest number ahead of Yayi. No wonder the level of emotional attachment of the people beyond Ogun West to Yayi across the State is phenomenal and unprecedented. Historically and without being immodest, Yayi's name recognition is currently unmatched across nook and cranny of Ogun West. Thanking advantage of that is the way to go. All in all, working together will make the agenda an assured one.
One obvious omission from the list of Hon Akinlade is Dr Isiak Kunle Saloko, the current Minister of State for Health. Except for the Deputy Governor, all others on the list are of the National Assembly. Maybe on the account of being true representative of the people or just an oversight. Dr Salako, an unbane and quick thinking individual has been part of every major governorship conversations in Ogun West particularly since 4th Republic. His influence is now growing rather than wanning. He's the highest political appointee from Ogun West. He is the eye and ear of President Tinubu in Ogun West, by extension Ogun State. Of course, he's also qualified to be Governor as anyone. He had also aspired before.
While we can say the more the merrier, no one even has the force of law to tame the ambition of anyone. That right is fundamental and constitutionally guaranteed. Ambition is free. Everyone is free to have it. But the obvious peculiar situation we are in Ogun West should be the guiding principle. Hence, demands a change of approach and tactical political procedures. What many political commentators fail to put into consideration while championing free will of an aspiration is that this particular "Free Will Ambition" and insistence to contest even against common sense has been our greatest albatross and undoing. Every Ogun West devotee beyond those in it for pecuniary benefits has been licking their wounds. Check out the history lane from 1979, the entanglement and insistence of the likes of Otegbeye and Sen Jonathan Odebiyi birthed the cutting raiser of a Governorship stillbirth for Ogun West. How about in 1992 when about 7 aspirants insisted on their rights to contest? Chief Osoba dusted all of them. Almost same scenario we had in 1999 before Chief Osoba once again beat SAJ Ibikunle to pick the Governorship ticket of AD and went on to win the election proper. From 2011 to 2019, it has been the same pattern. And the obvious question now is, why do we want to keep repeating same thing and expect different result? It was George Santayana that said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it! Similarly, John Olive Hobbes drove it home more when he said " Men heap together the mistakes of their lives, and create a monster they call destiny". It's not in our destiny to keep failing. Another opportunity to do things differently beckons.
With the above enumeration, it's obvious that a change of approach is not just desirable but very needful if truly we are desirous of winning the Governorship in Ogun West. Unity around common goal is needful as espoused by Hon Akinlade. Serious question and conversation needs to begin in earnest amongst the stakeholders and contending political forces. We must bury hatchet of the time past and lay all bruised ego to rest. Hon Abiodun Akinlade should assume the role of Peace Ambassador in this course. He has the historical trajectory to be trusted. Obviously, the number should be expanded to include the likes of Dr Isiak Kunle Saloko, others who had contested for the Governorship before like insurance guru, Biyi Otegbeye and Hon Abdukkabir Adekunle Akinlade (Triple A) can be part of the conversation. Their experiences can't be discarded. We need to everyone on board. Eggheads like Prof Anthony Asiwaju, Prof Raheem Bello, a former Vice Chancellor of a University, Sen Felix Kola Bajomo, Sen Iyabo Anisinlowo, Sen Kamal Odunsi can be inculcated with Paramount Ruler of Yewaland and Olu of Ilaro Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Olota of Ota, Kabiyesi Obalanlege playing more than passing role to moderate views and the process.
Though difficult but the difficulty of task is not an excuse for avoiding it. God bless Hon Abiodun Akinlade for setting the ball rolling. Ogun West needs that guided convergence of opinion to arrive at most realistic consensus on that individual through which success can be ours at the Governorship race beyond the willfull insistence of individual to contest which has become nothing but nail bitting. We have in our midst a "Joshua like" individual that can take us to the promised land. The consensus can't be too rigorous to achieve if sincerety of purpose is the bedrock of the discussion. Because it's time to have someone smart enough to know; strong enough to do, sure enough to lead the crusade as our collective ring leader for a better Ogun State.
Tayo Oyekanmi is my name from Ifonyintedo in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. I desire a glorious outing for Ogun West in 2027.
