By Femi Awojobi
The race to the 2022 governorship election is on and it is the the season for wolves in sheep clothing. The stage is set for experts in malign campaigns and masquerades out to cajole, deceive, persuade and even beg the electorate that they are the God-sent Angels to bring solutions to the avalanche of problems being faced by the people. The gullibility of some members of the Public had in the past paved ways for the Chameleon-like Politicians to always have their ways in some parts of the Country and Ekiti State is not an exception.
The two governorship elections of 2014 and 2018 in the State are something from which a good Student of history should learn from in order to align with the thinking of the electorate and party members, especially in the choice of Candidates of any political Party, particularly for Governorship election. In those two elections, we saw a sitting governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and APC lose reelection; while, in 2018, another sitting Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, failed in all efforts to install his Puppet as successor.
One could say the duo did not lose as a result of non-performance but, rather, they lost because of the unpopular ways by which the governorship candidates emerged. Fayemi lost in 2014 through the State Executive of the APC who unilaterally decided on him even though the majority of party members had queued behind the then member of the House of Representatives and now a serving Senator, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele. This disrupted unity withing the party and allowed the PDP to get a foothold to gain victory. In 2018, the egocentric attitude of the then Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, towards other popular Aspirants like a former Senate spokesperson, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, and Senator Biodun Olujimi who had gained the sympathy of the PDP Members because of non-inclusive administration of Fayose was more than enough to bury the chance of his anointed Candidate, Prof. Olusola Eleka and the entire PDP Structure in the State. And now, both major political parties are on the verge of learning from history or not in the 2022 governorship race.
The much-touted continuity in Governance is most needed for a meaningful and sustainable development in Ekiti and that is why APC must do everything possible to achieve it through the presentation of a generally acceptable candidate; one who is formidable, tested, reliable, politically savvy and morally sound; a Candidate who is not parochial or of minor consequence within the APC but rather whose influence cuts across the various stakeholders – politicians, religious groups, the Civil Service, artisans, market women and others in the State.
The 2021 governorship election will again no doubt be a litmus test for APC on how to win tough elections. For this reason, the Party must be prepared to borrow from not just its own experience but also the strategies used by PDP to unseat Governor Fayemi in the 2014 governorship election. PDP looked for someone far removed from Dr Fayemi’s character of gentility and calmness; someone street-smart and connected to the grassroots. Of course, everyone recognized Dr Fayemi’s brains and acumen in indoor politics but what the time needed was someone ready to take the battle frontally to the opposition. The APC strategists seemed aware of this but were complacent, choosing to base their choice on the achievements of the government. Three months to the election, the party woke up to the reality that it would take the special grace of God to defeat Fayose and PDP. While there is nothing impossible for God, God will not do a mistake to satisfy human beings on wrong decision made, especially in the pursuit of selfish interests.
There are many qualified Aspirants openly or clandestinely trying to get the 2022 APC governorship ticket. The list includes a former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly and Current Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FERMA, Hon. Femi Bamisile,;a serving Senator, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; a businessman, Mr. Kayode Ojo; another businessman and newest entrant into Ekiti politics, Otunba Dapo Popoola; and the immediate past Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji. Others are: a former member of the Senate, Sen. Dayo Adeyeye, a former member of the House of Representatives and immediate past Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi; and an APC Chieftain from Ayetoro-Ekiti, Mr. Oluwasola Afolabi.
These men are no doubt eminently qualified to be the Governor of the State, just like others in the PDP but to quote from Animal Farm, “All Animals are equal but some Animals are more equal than Others". The APC leadership both at federal and state Levels should, therefore, look for characters that Ekiti People want now. Looking at the pedigree, character, action, political mobility or wizardry with hard to challenge performance of Hon. Femi Bamisile, fondly Called BAFEM by all, especially as a member, House of Representatives, one could just conclude that, APC is lucky and blessed to have such a Politician in its fold vying to succeed Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Hon. Bamisile will be a tall Mountain to challenge by any Candidate of other political Parties, especially the main opposition Party, PDP, that is desperate to seize power from APC in 2022, should the party pick the wrong or unpopular Candidate through imposition or the disdain accurately captured in the song, "Boya Baba So Pe.... or Iya So Pe.... i.e (Either Father Said That... or Mother Said That....)" which has caused an uneasy calm within APC in Ekiti State and even within the Government Circle.
Bamisile, had in the last two and half years displayed and performed especially as a Member, House of Representatives beyond expectation. BAFEM's employment drive for the youths in Ekiti State which as at last count stands at 92 federal jobs, apart from various empowernment programmes on which he had spent over two hundred million Naira have watered the ground for his acceptability by the electorate in Ekiti State as at today. He had also touched based with his free fuel distribution to over 10,000 Okada Riders with over 50,000 beneficiaries on multiplier effects across the 16 LGAs of the State without political correlation. He has also flagged off first of its kind "Food Bank Scheme" to feed the poor People of the State on daily basis since the 10th of December 2021. Also in December, 2021, he distributed over 5,000 bags of Fertilizer worth over 200million naira to Farmers across the 16 local government Areas of the State.
Another thing Bamisile has done to endear himself to the electorate is the provision of over 1.5billion Naira worth of Solar-powered street light poles in the three LGAs he represents at the National Assembly and other local government Areas in the State. And, until all the Trailers and other heavy Trucks coming and going from the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria were diverted to pass through Ekiti State because of a damaged bridge along Jebba Road, Ekiti State had the best road network in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, courtesy of the vibrancy of Hon. Bamisile as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FERMA.
The federal legislator has also provided health care equipment for use in primary healthcare cetres in Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, including 10 Ambulances worth over 100-million Naira. He has also sunk boreholes, provided internet facilities for Schools renovated or constructed School buildings, among other laudable projects.
Apostles of continuity should note that Hon Bamisile’s proactive approach to service delivery has rubbed off positively on the Fayemi administration because most of the Projects he has been facilitating or executing are misconstrued to have been carried out by the State Government. Despite this, the federal Lawmaker has always gone out of his way to give credit to Dr Fayemi while praising the Governor on his efforts at developing the State. "As a loyal party Member, Bamisile has always challenged anyone who tried to rubbish Governor Fayemi and his achievement in the State.
To gauge Bamisile’s acceptability to the electorate, one only has to recall the recent live Radio Programme where he did not only listed what he had been doing in the service of the people but also used the occasion to display amazing acts of generosity and kindness to sufferings. Those who asked for assistance were told to converge on BAFEM's House by 7pm the same day and they were attended to in some numbers. During the programme, one Woman who simply identified herself as Iya Akin called in from Ado Ekiti and complained that she had three Children who were Graduates but none of them had a gainful employment. After listening to her, Hon. Bamisile immediately told her to provide the CV of one of them for immediate employment in the federal Civil Service. Also, Mrs. Jumoke Oluropo who claimed that her house was destroyed by flood at Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti two years ago got a promise from BAFEM to help her build a two-bedroom apartment on a new land she had acquired. Then, a part three political science Student of EKSU, Miss. Oluwaseun Babajide, who had complained of lack of school fee, got a fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) cash gift from BAFEM while two other Women, Mrs. Oluwatosin Victoria and Miss. Mary Fatokun got a Sewing Machine each while another Woman Mrs. Kemisola Ajayi got a brabd new Freezer to start their trade.
No wonder, despite the rumours of purported adoption of one of the Aspirants in the APC governorship race, BAFEM's political Circle has continued to wax Stronger and dominate political surface of Ekiti based on his performance and street Credibility.
Femi Awojobi
A Journalist, Media Consultant & Political Analyst Writes From Ado Ekiti.
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