It was with anticipated anxiety and amusement that I received the induced narration that former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday in Osogbo, Osun State charged top members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West to work hard in order to capture the two States being controlled by the opposition political parties in the zone.
One of the State under reference is Ondo State, my home State and as a stake holder in the Nigeria polity and proud citizen of the sunshine state, I found it imperative to respond to General Olusegun Obasanjo and his co-deceivers in PDP to unequivocally state that Ondo State will only be ruled by overwhelming support of the people of the State as the people of the State have resolved never again will the elements of deceit and looters of state’s treasury rule the State again.
While General Obasanjo and other speakers at the PDP rally did not make any reference to well being of the people of the States nor proffer a solution for the development of the State, which go a long way to reveal their deep seated hatred for my State, the choice of syntax used by these speakers is not only derogatory to the government and hardworking, informed and proud people of the State but their speeches shown a systemic contempt to the State.
I however, sympathised with General Obasanjo and his co-travellers of their inability to take into consideration the uniqueness of Ondo State, what the State stands for, what the people of the State are known for, our attitudes and unique way of politicking.
My state, Ondo State is the cradle of progressivism in Nigeria, the home of progressives, Afenifere, hotbed of intellectuals, posterity will continue to recalls the role late Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi I and the progenitor of Free Education in Nigeria and former Governor of the State, Chief Micheal Adekunle Ajasin, played in the formation of Action Group.
While I acknowledged the great work of the late sage, Chief Awolowo, in the old Western, Chief Awolowo only emerged through the synergy of great personalities from Ondo State.
Chief Reuben Fashoranti, the Afenifere Chairman is also from Ondo State, Chief Olu Yemi Falae, one time Presidential candidate, Chief Shehinde Arogbofa, Comrade Baba Omojola, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Gani Adams, they are irrepressible progressives. PDP should also remember that the most successful legal practitioner, the defender of the people and greatest crusader in Nigeria that I know, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was a proud citizen of the State.
Presently, the wellbeing of the State is save and trusted under the leadership of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Alli Olanusi and other tested patriots.
I mentioned these personalities for any agents of deceit and regressive to appreciate the fundamentals of the State, our industries, Ondo people are independent, courageous, resolute, intelligent and principled and when you have a governor that is an embodiment of these attributes as well as reinforces the people’s aspiration, the people of the State will continue to rally around such governor and will resist any capture or take over from the army of regression.
The ascendancy of the extant State Executive led by Dr. Mimiko is so bona fide, that after the final judgment of the Court of Appeal in Benin even his so called opposition never raised any contrary view and have been congratulating him and lobbying him till today.
I am not a politician in Nigeria context but have my ears to the ground and we have contacts everywhere.
Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is yet to disappoint like others as we pray that he never do such a thing, he is amiable, feels and goes with the pulse of the people, he choose the right party of the people, Labour party.
According to John Maxwell; one of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to inspire his people, Dr. Mimiko inspires the people of Ondo State, many of my friends who are not Yorubas have been asking me what is the meaning of “Takun Takun”, it took some while before I understood that they are referring to Mimiko’s new battle cry for productivity in Ondo State; “ise takun takun, ibukun repete” which literary mean that bountiful harvest can only be achieve through true hard work.
Olusegun Obasanjo of this world and his friends should be lectured on a better way to inspire people back with physical result that can be seen and even touched.
While it not fashionable for me to sing anyone praises but if we find someone doing great, I beg Nigerians to encourage such person, we praise our learned silk, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN not because he speaks good English nor his wife is gorgeous but because even the blind can see that the present Lagos State of Fashola is better than before, Dr. Aliyu Banbangida of Niger State is dear to the people, not because of his self styled title; Servant Leader but because he see to the needs of his people, same too goes for Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, not because he is a Christian but bears a Moslem name but because he came with innovative ideas, let us recall the full payment of the pensions areas in Ondo State, before, several died while queuing to be paid for the monthly stipends call pension but that is now the thing of the past, every home in Nigeria at least has one or two pensioners, just imagine smile in every home, some of our people in diasporas have even given testimonies that the pressure of request for transfer of pounds and dollars from their kiths and kins back home has reduced in Ondo State, independent assessment of this fact, can be made by a visit Western Union office.
I invited members of PDP to visit Ondo State and ask about the first specialist hospital only for Mother and Child brought about by the Governor, they should ask for the meaning of Abiye Project, they should please find out the Volunteer scheme that is fashioned out to enable the unemployed in the State to receive a little stipend of about N10, 000 as social benefit, about 4, 000 of them have graduated from being a beneficiaries to full employed citizens in the state, recently over 120 of the beneficiaries were employed by the government as Traffic Wardens.
Obasanjo & Co should please, come to Ondo State to find out, the public model school scheme that no private school incuding his Bells School, despite the exorbitant fees paid can rival?
PDP should please find out the new scheme of ensuring that the people of the State have access to lawyers with no cost to them.
I am not a member of any political party but I have to rejoice as my State is turning to the State of my dream; Egalitarian society, for the past 6 years I formed Egalitarian Mission, Africa and I have been campaigning to entrenched Egalitarian values in Africa and if I am seeing a state turning to the State of my dream, that state will never be allow to return to the years of locust.
By Kayode Ajulo
(Kayode Ajulo is a lawyer and community leader, he is the Bamofinlewe of Akurekingdom and Chairman, Egalitarian Mission, Africa.)
