Ahead of the forthcoming APC primaries , there are strong indications that the grave note of warning sounded by the president Muhammadu Buhari , one of the critical stakeholders and the leader of APC in Nigeria will be jettisoned in Ondo State especially in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
This is because of the open endorsement of Hon. Timehin Adelegbe, one of the aspirants for the coveted seat of Member, House of Representatives for Owo/ Ose Federal Constituency recently by party leaders who are government appointees and leaders that should be neutral and seen to be independent in the selection of the party candidates for the 2023 general poll.
Could it be that PMB is a toothless bulldog and only speaks for himself ? Could it be that Ondo State is a political fiefdom within a political compartment?
It's extremely disheartening , appalling and disturbing that these critical stakeholders could be identified with such odious intrigues and manipulative tendencies for such non-performer and a poor representative at the Green Chamber without any tangible visible project and bill to his credit? The move is cynical and tyrannical ,and the orchestrators of such political mischiefs could only best be described as enemies of democracy and our great party,the APC ,who are extremely myopic and politically naive.
In all participatory democracy the world over, the freewill of the electorates remains sacrosanct as their freedom of expression via the franchise is a constitutional right that is evidently exercised freely by individuals and protected/preserved by the working manual. Therefore ,it is convenient to say that with this planned manipulation, the election has been won even before the first ballot is cast. This political detour and clandestine ambush is grossly punitive, anachronistic, parochial, injurious and absolutely inimical to the soul, spirit and body of democracy.
Dr Abiola Oshodi is a trained psychiatrist, philanthropist, youth enthusiast and worthy community developer, and a man with cosmopolitan experience and exposure with key relevance to participatory democracy in Canada, North America. He is an advocate of good governance and egalitarian society as a progressive element. He is not only disappointed ,he is also very disturbed by this ugly development in a purported progressive camp. Again , his campaign organization , political associates, families and friends, and teeming followers and supporters are extremely bewildered and disturbed by this unfortunate political intrigue in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency , the constituency of HE, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu , SAN who believes in freedom, independent , justice system, capacity and competence of individuals ;and the popularity, acceptability and great past antecedents of individuals.
Again, it is critically absurd , malicious and infuriating that Owo kingdom, the seat of Progressivism and then headquarters of Progressive Politics of Late Ch. Michael Adekunle Ajasin, a Pan-African Leader and Pan-Yoruba Activist could be rubbished with this unfortunate pedestrian political diatribe and unhealthy democratic etho capable of creating unwholesome partitions in the APC and among party hierarchy and faithfuls . Dr Abiola Oshodi , being a seasoned democrat, astute politicians, highly cerebral opinion leader, idealist and realist with conventional modesty, fresh initiatives and modern innovations with a world-class exposure, regrettably sees this unfortunate developments as cogs in the wheel of participatory democracy and one of the banes of Nigeria's woes. Imposition and impunity are quite annoying as they are barbaric, unethical, undemocratic, tyrannical, cynical, unacceptable and absolutely condemnable. It's indeed a pleasure ride to monumental failure at anytime.
The consequences of imposition of candidates with impunity are grave and colossal . They are not only injurious and harmful, they often create grave faultlines, cracks and factions within a party. This will become a tsunami considering the circumstances at our hands with the outcry of the citizens for responsible and responsive leadership by all Nigerians in the midst of dwindling fortunes and gory scenes of mindless insecurities . Again, considering the popularity of Dr. Abiola Oshodi in the federal constituency from different arrays of people : young and old; men and women ; haves and have-n't and so on , it may be difficult to manage the commotion of imposition and impunity. This is very obvious , and it's a statement of fact that anyone can take to the bank.
There is no need to doubt this position. At the 11th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our great party, the president , PMB ,GCFR made it abundantly clear that imposition and impunity should be consciously shunned by the party hierachies and critical stakeholders. You will recollect that a whole state was lost to the opposition party on account of wickedly pursued imposition of candidates in Zamfara State in 2019 amidst politics of vendatte and calumny. This is in addition to too many seats and positions that were lost continually because of brazen impunity by marauders and power mongers on the corridors of power at all levels within our party There is not need to recapture the adumbrated echoes of such note of warnings in the voice and seriousness of Mr President. I believe the warning is swallowed hook,line and sinker. Let those who have ears hearken to the voice of reasoning and wisdom.
Dr Abiola Oshodi and his supporters as well as members of his campaign organization are not asking for too much. Our request is simple and clear: A LEVEL PLAIN GROUND FOR ALL ASPIRANTS TO TEST WATERS AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR POPULARRITY. In a democratic setting, election though free, fair, credible, transparent and acceptable , remains the benchmark for health and popular selection of candidates. In any election,there shall be the victor and the defeated. In sportsmanship, both the victor and the defeated must be jealously magnanimous both in victory and defeat respectively. This is the beauty of the process. However, if this understanding is gravely compromised,then there will be unnecessary power tussles and bitter hiccups within the political compartment. This often brings about collateral damage and gross failure , and loss of integrity by individuals and political parties. Let us guide against this challenge, and preserve the goodwill of our party in the constituency , and the entire state.
It's suffice to ask who this cabals are this time around? In the recently conducted bye-election in Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, HE, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, our dear governor and leader demonstrated a great resolve and sterling attributes of a generational leader as he didn't influence the outcome of the primary election that produced Hon. Alade as the APC candidate. Because of the healthy process and the emergence of a popular candidate, the APC went ahead to dislodge the PDP in his stronghold in a heartwarming victory. Why is it difficult to replicate same at the doorstep of the governor?
We have warned our party hierarchies just like our president ( PMB) did. The onus now lies with these critical stakeholders to do the needful and the expected in this circumstance. We do not fear any contest; but we shall support all friends and oppose all foes to ensure that a free, fair, credible transparent, and acceptable primary is conducted in the constituency. This is our bond with the party and our mandate with the delegates/ electorates. We shall vehemently oppose impunity and consciously reject imposition of candidates by all legitimate and legal means. Our mandate with destiny and history with our investment is to change the narrative , and bring our cosmopolitan experience and exposure to bear on local politics. Nothing on earth will deter our will to achieve this feat.
It's very important to mention that it's very disastrous, calamitous and disparaging for the progressive party to treat with the waves of hands the huge barrage of condemnations within the party rank and file, and among our constituents especially considering the vituperations of key stakeholders both youths and women on the social media about non-performance of Hon. Adelegbe and his conspicuous perch for pathological lies as alleged openly without debunking. Such an individual that received daily attacks from his people in Ose and previous supporters in Owo as well as the general public should not be allowed to enjoy such CONSPIRACY of support. It's a wicked political ambush capable of courting a political tsunami that shall consume our great party in Ondo State especially in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
We have done our best by repeatedly sounding the Clarion Call of due process and and democratic ethics, it is left for our party hierarchy and critical stakeholders here in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency to pay conscious attention to our warning and allow the right thing to be done in this case. Failure to hearken to the voice of the people, we shall never rest on our oars but to force the party leaders to toe the path of honour.
To our aspirant, Dr Abiola Oshodi ,who is the aspirant to beat, remains undoubtedly ready for open and transparent primary. His intimidating credentials are eloquent testaments of his capacity, competence and readiness. His uncommon antecedents, now superlative model for invested in humanity , and his golden name already etched on the golden door of history are great assets any cloud of manipulations/intrigues can smear or cover.
Let the aspirants lock horns in an open contest, the winner shall be considerate in triumph and the defeated shall be humble in failure. With sportsmanship and decorum ,both the loser and the winner shall work together for the party with the principle of "No Victor ,No Vanquished."
This is what we want, and anything less shall be disastrous especially with the popularrity of our principal, Dr Abiola Oshodi,a man special hewn from the finest marble of creation.
Aliyu Hussein
Senior Special Adviser To Dr Abiola Oshodi
For: Abiola Oshodi Campaign Organization.
