Oyo electorates: Need to stand firm behind Alli Sarafadeen to spearhead APC to victory in 2027 polls, by Kola Amzat

As in 36 states across the federation including FCT, Abuja, the primaries for all elective offices at all levels have been successfully brought to a close.

Quite a number of candidates have emerged. Indeed, Nigerian electorates have been privileged to at least have a glimpse of the candidates that would likely feature on the ballot.

The next step: the ability of the electorates to make choices of the resourceful, credible, focus and service oriented candidates amongst the lot who would grace the ballot papers.

However, the crux of this piece is basically to review the profiles of the gubernatorial candidates that have emerged in various political parties in Oyo state particularly in the APC and APM, and to appropriately recommend to the state’s electorates the particular candidate that has the capacity not only to turn the tide but, to restore the lost pride, dignity and respect of the state.   

Of course, the result of the primaries has set the tone for a two horse race for Agodi governor’s office.

The duel will majorly be between Senator Alli Sarafadeen and Bimbo Adekanmbi, the APC and APM candidates respectively.

While the progressive family across the state seemed to have struck a right chord with the triumph of distinguished senator in the primaries, the same can’t be said of APM candidate who is hundreds of kilometres  away from APC candidate with respect to political pedigree and antecedent, state and national exposure, state appeal, humility, focus, consistency, emotional balance and intelligence, zeal, amongst other fundamental factors required for such very sensitive, demanding and the all-important office.

It’s instructive to note that the APM candidate is being solely foisted as flag-bearer of the hurriedly hijacked party by the incumbent governor, ostensibly as an extension of his eight years of uneventful and antagonistic reign; a rein characterized with continual loggerheads and belligerence to federal authority, particularly to the office of President, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, a ugly development that has continually pitch the state against many MDAs at the federal level, as well as the presidency, so much that very insignificant or zero patronages have been forthcoming to the state from them.

The MDAs also bluntly refused to support and identify with anything concerning Oyo state.

All indications point out to the fact that the APM candidate, if elected would continue with this regime of belligerence needless defiance to the federal authority, a situation that would further worsen the already pitiable and deplorable state of events across the state, leaving the long-suffering people of the state in persistent frustration and agonizing condition.

Besides, in all ramifications and known indices, APM candidate falls short of leadership traits the state is presently in dire need of, to rescue her from the economic and political doldrums & confusion, as well as parlous state she found herself; no thank to continual defiance and uncompromising posture of the governor.    

The pertinent question: what are Adekanmbi’s pedigree and political antecedents, other than his short-lived tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff to the late governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and later Special Assistant on economic planning and budget to the same governor?

It’s also important to emphasize that the APM candidate suddenly disappeared from the political sphere after his stewardship in Ajimobi regime was brought to a close, only to RESURFACE recently to assume gubernatorial slot of the hijacked party.

Is this the obscure, unstable, politically inconsistent and more importantly, anonymous candidate the state needed to rub shoulder with the likes of Obafemi Hamzat, Solomon Adeola Olalemilekan, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Oyebamiji, Dauda Lawal, Okhebolo, Gabriel Otu, Uno Umoh, Uba Sani, Abba Yusuff and others vibrant, nationally and widely connected and politically savvy and informed who are likely to emerge as governors of their respective states?

It’s no brainer! Bimbo Adekanmbi would continually be like a DWARF and LILLIPUT among them in terms of idea, knowledge and vision, and so, would it be for the state that he would be governing, if elected. Tragedy of immeasurable proportion!

The aforementioned are the justifiable reasons why Oyo state electorates across party divides MUST be intentional and deliberate in their unanimous choice of Alli Sarafadeen as the next governor of the state.

This writer is therefore passionately urging and making pleas unto them on the need to assiduously and religiously check Alli’s rich and robust political profiles, with a view to electing as governor during the next polls.

For the record, the APC candidate is an accomplished Lawyer and longtime public servant with a family background deeply rooted in the traditions and cultures of Ibadan ancient city.

His legal training has underpinned a career that cuts across local government administration, state executive service, and presently, federal legislative duties and responsibilities.

He served as Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government where he built a robust and very credible reputation for grassroots administration.

He was later appointed as Secretary to the state government and subsequently served as Chief of Staff to former governor, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, the role and responsibility that firmly placed him firmly above other gubernatorial candidates, including Bimbo Adekanmbi, at the epicenter of policy coordination and political negotiation in the state, and even, at the federal level.

Beyond his profile, the state presently is in dire need of widely-accepted, politically informed and humility personified who surely have the capacity to restore her pride, glory and respect.

It’s not by accident that the late sage-Chief Obafemi Awolowo made Ibadan the political capital of South West zone, where the Yorubas from varying enclaves- Oyo, Ijebu, Ekiti, Egba, Ife, Ondo, Remo and even, Diaspora have made their convergence point.

Of course, the state has lost that EXALTED STATUS during the reign of the incumbent governor.

Secondly, Seyi Makinde runs a government that alienates a significant number of state’s stakeholders, including key political figures, members of political class, eminent professionals, clerics and even, traditional rulers.

He has his coterie of friends and cronies that he continually awards contracts, ceding prized landed properties of the state unto, as well as offering juicy appointments and government patronages. 

Oyo state should inquire of the companies and other personalities that he sold several lands of the government to.

Thirdly, Oyo electorates must be prepared to give mandate of the state leadership to the candidate capable of spearheading mending fences and reconciling with MDAs at federal level, and more importantly, the president.

Of course, it’s in the public domain that Oyo state remains the ONLY federating unit of the 36 states that has been at loggerheads with the president and federal authority for no justifiable reasons, other than arrogance, insolence, and inordinate ambition of one man-Governor Seyi Makinde.

The pertinent question: how far can a defiant and uncooperative governor go in a country where the president wields so much power, influence and control.

We are the only state continually involved in the show of shame and kindergarten behaviour.

Finally, Alli Sarafadeen, a bonafide and full-blooded Ibadan and Yoruba son, grounded in Yoruba cultures, traditions, practices and norms wouldn’t have any issue whatsoever in interacting and connecting with all stakeholders, key personalities, teeming youths, women groups, and more especially, traditional rulers who Seyi Makinde have continually trampled upon, harassed and oppressed.

This writer needs to emphasize: the die is cast!

Oyo state electorates have ample opportunity to redeem their state and restore the lost glory during the forthcoming polls.

We can only achieve this by giving mandate to the one that will run inclusive government, pay attention to diverse demands of stakeholders, and pilot the state to the point of the safety, prosperity and not the one who would close his ears, bluntly refuse to listen to wise counsels, as well as continually to attract opprobrium and condemnation unto the state and her people.                                   

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB),

09077509348, [email protected]