Sen. Olamilekan Adeola continues to break new grounds amid politics of bitterness   

By David Ajigbotafe

Late Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, the founder of the Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP) in the Second Republic, was the apostle of the popular slogan: “Politics without bitterness.”

The Mantra resonated well in the politics of the Second Republic, which fittingly described the politics played by the late political sage, Waziri Ibrahim, precisely from Borno State.

Politics without bitterness is devoid of mudslinging, cynicism, and empty propaganda, a campaign of calumny and orchestrated persecution of political opponents, employing blatant lies to demarket opponents.

The Egbas, the Ijebus, Yewa Awori are known for these positive ideals in politics.

In a build-up to the 2027 election in Ogun State, politics of bitterness is already being trumped up by some political gladiators to ostensibly divert the attention of the good people of the state to inanities, frivolities, and unprofitable propaganda devoid of sound political philosophy and values, which will enhance progress.  

This is insulting to the sensibility of an average Ogun indigene, to say the least, given our level of political exposure and maturity, most importantly in this dispensation where governance is driven by men of purpose and robust ideas. 

The Ogun indigenes are not only industrious but progressive-minded. They will not fall prey to spin doctors’ cajoling of politics of bitterness and deceit amplified through a campaign of calumny, which is rearing its ugly head at the moment.

To reduce the Ogun 2027 to the level of parochial sentiment and primordial politics will be the highest level of absurdity, which our people are not cut out for.

We collectively say no to primordial sentiments, inanities, and acerbic propaganda to divert our attention from the substance, thereby chasing shadows at the expense of our collective well-being as against getting the real values of democratic government.

The illustrious Ogun indigenes will be more interested in the political antecedents, record of achievements cum experience in governance of whoever is in interested to govern the state after Prince Dapo Abiodun’s wonderful tenure.

We shall interrogate such a personality to know what he wants to offer the people, how politically savvy such a person is, and his sagacity and connection to the centre of power. We would like to know what he is bringing to the table to deserve our votes. And more importantly, what are such an individual’s contributions to the state at the moment or before now? These are issues that are germane to us, not politics of pulling him down.

In Aristotle’s hierarchical system of philosophy, he considers politics, the study of communities, to be of higher priority than ethics, which concerns individuals.

Aristotle’s postulation clearly defines the philosophy of Senator Solomon Olamilekan  Adeola (Yayi), one of the frontrunners in the build-up to the Ogun 2027 governorship race.

Besides, Senator Adeola’s brand of politics, which is people-oriented, can serve as a model to other aspirants in the race to the 2027 election in the state.

Senator Adeola’s distinct political philosophy has endeared him to the hearts of people of the state, who are clamoring for him to succeed the incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, so that he can build on his achievements. 

Senator Adeola’s intervention in the critical sector of the state is unprecedented, and this further attests to his visionary leadership and preparedness for governance if allowed to lead the state come 2027.   

Yayi has made a profound statement through his several landmark empowerment programmes that his people deserve the best in terms of service.

He has his footprints virtually in every sector in the state- commerce, education, infrastructure, economy, and health, thus complementing the good work of the Dapo Abiodun-led government.

Just recently Anglican Bishop of Yewa Diocese, Rt. Reverend Michael Oluwarohunbi made a generous review of the antecedents of the Ogun West Senatorial District lawmaker in the past two years. His submission was without any ambiguity, thus corroborating the fact that Senator Adeola has made a remarkable impact in the constituency through developmental projects.    

The Clergyman underscored the fact that the ebullient lawmaker had turned around the fortunes of Yewa-Awori people through unprecedented facilitation of infrastructure to the Senatorial District.

He said unequivocally that the people of Ogun West have not had this type of beneficial representation since the creation of the state in 1976.

“Your strides are not just developmental but transformational. You have restored the hope of our people that indeed, you are God sent to liberate us from our past state of neglect and underdevelopment.

“Your bold, people-first approach has rekindled the hopes of many, raised the bar of legislative excellence, and positioned Ogun West and Yewaland as a shining model of purposeful and quality representation and leadership.

“Yayi is evidence of a broken siege through his intervention projects in Yewaland. The coming of Senator Yayi into the political space of Ogun West and Ogun State at large may be viewed as many of those things that happened in politics, but you will understand that it is evidence of answered prayer and a curse broken by his uncommon human touch to Yewaland”, the Bishop stated.

True to his posture as a statesman, Yayi’s politics cut across religious divides; even as a Christian, he sponsored 190 Muslims to this year’s Holy pilgrimage.

The Ogun State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, led by Alhaji Tajudeen Jimoh  Alao, expressed heartfelt appreciation and commendation to distinguished Senator Adeola (Yayi) for this kind gesture.

This uncommon lawmaker has further made a bold statement that his politics are all-inclusive.

Since representative democracy is all-inclusive then we are waiting for other aspirants to show us their record of achievements because this will form part of the deciding factors in the race to the Ogun 2007 election.

David Ajigbotafe is of the  Awori extraction from Ogun State.

.