Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous statement by some APC mischief twisting the statement of the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator (Dr) Lere Oyewumi during the Irewole PDP endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for second term, which has been misconstrued by some political dunces in the opposition.
These political dunces saw the statement as an obstruction to the candidacy of Alhaji Bola Oyebamji.
In a Facebook post, one of them claimed that the Senator said “Ikire does not have what it takes to be a Governor and is suffering from mouth diarrhoea.” Under that same post, the same person believes that it is only money that’s needed to become a governor.
He said, “…it is a self-deception to think everyone is a broke ass. If it is about money, Ikire can push nothing less than 10 billionaires forward excluding yourself.” Let me first inform the ignorant poster to take a close look at Senator Iyiola Omisore, Senator Buruji Kashamu, and Hon Ladi Adebutu; he will realize that winning an election is beyond money or being a billionaire.
Back to the content of my piece, what the distinguished Senator has in his endorsement speech is that there is a formula for who becomes the governor of the state, using himself and Dr. Peter Babalola as examples of governorship aspirants who contested from Ikire, but took the wrong approach.
He admonished Ikire people to listen to the opinions of other people in the remaining 29 local governments and not let anyone deceive them with a failed ticket. He also referred to the response that Alhaji Bola Oyebamji gave to a particular group who wanted him to contest against Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola in 2022, saying, “It is not yet his time, that his boss should be permitted to complete his constitutional term.”
Senator Lere then mentioned that the same case is also applicable to him, in that Governor Adeleke should be allowed to complete his constitutional term because there is no better way to govern than how Governor Adeleke has been governing the state.
Akogun also promised to deliver all the 11 wards in Irewole Local Government to Governor Adeleke in 2026, closing that by saying, “When Governor Adeleke completes his second term in 2030, whosoever wants to contest for Governorship should come out and I will also join the ‘Ikire Lokan’.”
He further stated that Ikire has no power to decide which governor wins an election and which does not. Implying that only Ikire’s vote cannot make anyone the governor, hence the vote will not be wasted on a candidate that will not win the election.
Then, the town will have no moral justification to make demands from the state government. On that note, Irewole Local Government, through the members of the PDP, endorsed the incumbent governor for a second term. How will any sane person allege that a political gladiator like Akogun Lere Oyewumi would state that his hometown, Ikire, does not have what it takes to become a governor? Ikire has had her sons and daughters in high political offices and positions, both currently and in the past.
Some of the top political positions Ikire indigenes have held or are holding include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Deputy Governor, and Chief of Staff. These are not just positions of significance but powerful offices that have shaped the trajectory of the state and the nation.
Let the political dunces drop their unpatriotic love for the town. They have, in one way or another stood against their fellow indigene whose political interests collide with that of their rudderless party.
These people have failed to recognize that their petty partisanship does more harm than good. It is high time that the selfish motives of some individuals were set aside for the greater good of the town and the state.
The love for one’s community should transcend the personal ambitions of those who wish to secure positions for themselves and their cronies. What benefits did Ikire get during the 12 years of APC rule in the state? Can those benefits be compared to what the PDP government has achieved within just two years in office? The truth is evident for all to see.
Under the leadership of the PDP administration, Ikire has witnessed tangible improvements, and the town is now receiving the attention it rightly deserves. Roads are being constructed, social infrastructure is being upgraded, and the state is experiencing rapid economic growth, unlike the years of stagnation and neglect during the APC administration.
This is the kind of leadership that Senator Lere Oyewumi is supporting, a leadership that focuses on the people and their well-being, rather than on individual political ambitions.
To those still questioning the Senator’s words, it is important to understand that what the Distinguished Senator said was nothing but the truth. He never claimed that Ikire does not have what it takes to become a governor in the state.
Every citizen of this state who meets the educational requirement, age requirement, and has the financial muscle to campaign is qualified to contest for the office of governor.
However, that does not guarantee victory, as other factors contribute to winning an election. This is what Akogun referred to as “formula”, which is a crucial part of the political process that cannot be ignored. Let us take for instance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had to wait for many years for the “formula” to favor him and bring him victory.
His persistence and strategic approach ultimately led to his success. His victory didn’t come just because of his personal wealth, but due to a combination of factors including timing, political alliances, and the support of the people. In the same vein, any aspirant from Ikire, or anywhere in Osun State for that matter, must recognize that political victory is not simply a function of wealth or local support; it requires a broader coalition and the will of the people.
It is also critical for the people of Ikire to understand that Senator Lere Oyewumi’s remarks were not a dismissal of Ikire’s potential but a call for greater collaboration with other regions of the state. The time to build bridges and cultivate alliances is now, rather than attempting to isolate the town and create unnecessary divisions.
Moreover, it is essential to recognize that the political landscape in Osun State is evolving. The state’s electorate is becoming more discerning and less swayed by purely local interests. While the people of Ikire have every right to aspire for the governorship, they must also acknowledge that the electorate will judge their candidacy based on a range of factors, including political experience, vision, and the ability to serve the broader interests of the state. This “formula” is a reality that cannot be ignored by any serious political aspirant.
James Bamgbose is the Deputy Director of Media, Osun PDP and can be reached via email at [email protected]
