It
is unfortunate that while the forward-looking Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN) is ever busy expanding the frontiers of good
gover-nance in Nigeria, using time-tested policies and programmes to
deepen the democratic process some political do gooders would be making
unguarded statements, capable of stirring bad blood in the polity,
especially in Ondo state.
One
of such was recently credited to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali
Olanusi. To have said that Ondo people do not want an ‘imported
administration’ in the state, ahead of the October 20, 2012
gubernatorial poll, apparently alludes to the increasing impact of ACN
in the state. It is both unsavoury and unbecoming of a man occupying
that exalted political post.
In
saner political climes, even a paid piper would exercise extreme
restraint, caution and circumspection on what tunes he dishes to the
public space. Ideas and veritable ones at that, rather than the use of
guttersnipe language against perceived political foes should form the
fulcrum of campaigns. That being so, because Nigerians, including Ondo
citizens have long been denied the benefits of people-friendly,
life-changing programmes.
Perhaps,
we may have to remind Olanusi and his co-travelers in their pull- down-
ACN-by-all-means, ill-fated journey, that words are like eggs. Once
they are broken they cannot be gathered.
In
fact, the equally baffling subsequent tactless tirade made by
Governor Segun Mimiko, now referring to the much-respected Nigerian
democrat and political strategist, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an
‘emperor’ smirks of gross disrespect and crass ingratitude.
One
only hopes that the transient aroma of political power has not deluded
the governor’s mind-set into forgetting, so soon, all the moral support
he enjoyed from the latter in his most trying times.
Still,
it raises some fundamental questions. Was the present Ondo State not
part and parcel of the Action Group’s old Western Region which enjoyed
unprecedented economic reformation under the late Premier, Chief Obafemi
Awolowo? Is Barrister Rotimi Akeredolu, the highly qualified ACN flag
bearer no longer the scion of the Akeredolu family of Owo town and a
noble son of the soil of Ondo State? Has his recent affirmation of the
covenant of faith with the good people of Ondo State, that he would not
become a puppet to anybody not driven home the point that he has the
political will to deliver ACN’s goodies to the state without undue
influence from anybody?
Where
were Olanusi and his boss, whose dictatorial tunes he dances to, when
Akeredolu served as the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of
the state from 1997 to 1999? Where were they in 1998 when he became a
SAN?
Now,
that it has become obvious that the repeated attempts by Mimiko to
rail-road the deceitful dogma of ACN as an alien party down the throat
of Ondo people has fallen flat on its face, he should be more concerned
about his many failed promises to the citizens four years after.
Looked
at from a dispassionate perspective and given the socio-political
expediency of the Nigeria of today, Ondo state has become the odd toe
in the determined march of the South-West geo-political zone to
sustainable economic development.
It
would indeed amount to self-deceit for any Nigerian politician, of
whatever ideological persuasion in 2012 Nigeria to refer to the ACN as
an alien party. Imported from where to where? Having swept the polls
from Lagos through Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun and Edo states again, as well
as effectively championing credible elections it has become the
undisputed numero uno progressive party in the country today. Take it,
or leave it.
The
truth of the matter is that if there is any party alien to Ondo state in
particular, it is the amorphous Labour Party without clearly defined
manifesto, being gradually run aground by the dictatorial tendencies of
Governor Mimiko who cannot brook any form of opposition. He may have to
explain if the Chief Medical Director of the much-hyped Mother and Child
Hospital, Dayo Adeneye, an Egba man was not imported from Ogun state?
And what about Dan Iwuanyanwu; an Igboman and National Chairman of the
LP, who Mimiko made the Pro-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University?
Was he too not imported?
Therefore,
his deputy, Olanusi now struggling for political relevance with the
threat to be dropped should his boss win the coveted state in October,
cannot deny the dictatorial disposition of Mimiko. Has he too forgotten
what the former Chairman of Labour Party in the state, Chief Olaniyan
Oni said of his pitiable neglect in the scheme of things in the state,
as reflected in his handing over letter? Olanusi, he said has been
transformed into a glorified special assistant to the governor, left to
drink tea and read newspapers. Did Olanusi deny that? Of course not,
because even the important function of overseeing the affairs of local
government councils has since been transferred from his office. On what
moral ground would he now stand to throw brick bats at the ACN? None!
Our
piece of advice to the disenchanted and disgruntled Olanusi is to make
out time for a sober reflection, starting with his foray into politics
and make amends. While we welcome constructive criticism, all to move
the state and the nation forward, we wish to state that the era of
mudslinging and mindless betrayal, all to mount the pedestal of
political power has come and gone. As recently exhibited by the ACN-led
administration in Edo state, performance is the watchword for any
politician to gain the people’s confidence and votes. Not undue media
hype over the construction of market stalls and ill-equipped hospitals
and schools while infrastructure development, that touches tellingly on
the quality of life of the average Nigerian is criminally neglected.
Olanusi, would also agree that Mimiko’s administration has so far
failed woefully in that direction, including Akoko area where he hails
from.
We in
the ACN believe firmly that Nigeria’s political firmament is spacious
enough to accommodate birds of variegated political colouration, to fly
their fancies without rancorous class struggles all for power. We look
forward to a free and fair contest. We are not desperate. Far from it.
This, should be food for thought for Olanusi and his acolytes.
• Idowu Ajanaku is director of media, publicity and strategy for the campaign organisation of Ondo ACN candidate, Akeredolu
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