Politics
Before Ajimobi decides on successor || By Toye Arulogun
THE Oyo State political landscape is swarming with an unprecedented number of aspirants to the number one seat in the state. This is a good development because never in the history of the pace setter state has there been such a plethora of individuals interested in governing the state.
It is worthy of emphasis here to state that the current scenario in Oyo State politics reinforces the popular saying that “True leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders”. Coming on the heels of the first administration to win a second term in the state, it is obvious that the outgoing governor has raised the bar of politics and governance high enough to attract serious contenders from the political class as well as technocrats.
This appeal is further confirmed by the good quality of aspirants in terms of educational background, professional career, record of achievements, private and public sector leadership experience. While some may aver that the availability of quality aspirants is weighted more in the ruling party, such claim does not obliterate the fact that from a drone view of the current Oyo State political panorama, the camera is capturing multiple dots of quality aspirants which will naturally and forever change the configurations and equations in the political capital of South West Nigeria.
Convincingly, this turn of a new page in this fresh chapter of the Oyo State history books is a bequest of the current governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who has provided a strong allure for the abundant aspirants.
So, where does Oyo State go from here? What does this really mean and how does the state derive benefit from this elevation of quality standards in its leadership? Governor Ajimobi is at the twilight of his eight-year “Koseleri” term. Every great leader, either in the public or private sector, endeavours to succeed himself.
John C. Maxwell, the management expert, puts it succinctly when he says “There is no success without a successor”, while leadership coach, Bill Bliss, puts it very pointedly as a key leadership function by stating categorically that “The number one role of any leader is to identify and prepare their successor”.
The clock is ticking. Time is short. The list is long. Aspirants are in excess. Options are many. It is now a matter of choice. Governor Ajimobi must weigh the options and narrow down his choices and ultimately make the choice of a successor. The die is cast. Time for decision is now.
As the longest serving governor of Oyo State, for a historic eight years, it goes without saying that the choice of a successor is one of the hardest decisions Governor Ajimobi needs to take for the sake of Oyo State.
While Governor Ajimobi is reputed for being a principle-centred leader who is bold and courageous to take strong and hard decisions for the sake of development, I am convinced that taking this decision will not be a walk in the park. Certainly, it will not be not as easy as the resolve to curtail the insecurity he met in May 2011, ban street trading, cancel automatic promotion in schools, engage stakeholders in the management of secondary schools with the establishment of the School Governing Boards, relocate butchers to a new central abattoir, enforce environmental sanitation laws, elevate traditional rulers to Obaship positions, embark on the reform of the civil and public service amongst many others.
That strength of character to take decisions in the overall interest and development of the state is the singular and most important quality Governor Ajimobi’s successor must possess. Bravura must be in the DNA of the next ‘constituted authority’.
In our largely traditional and conservative state with a deeply rooted culture of impunity and condonation, Governor Ajimobi needs a successor with strong moral fibre; an individual who understands, appreciates and values the position of the governor; an individual who can take hard decisions for the sake of development, no matter whose ox is gored. That successor must be a dauntless leader with spunk, who can differentiate between merit and expediency.
Governor Ajimobi’s successor must be ready to build on the foundation his predecessor has laid in building a modern Oyo State. In taking the baton from “the builder”, he or she must be prepared and work hard to move Oyo State upwards from the current 4th investment-friendly state in Nigeria, uphold its four-star rating in facilitating foreign and domestic investment by the Nigerian Investment Promotions Council, sustain the renaissance of the night economy, improve on the 147 per cent increase in key players in the hospitality and tourism sector, surpass the best West African Senior School Certificate result in 18 years, continue with the Geographic Information System project and implementation of the Ibadan Master Plan as well as other master plans, advance to phase 2 of e-governance beyond pay roll system automation, add to the Ajumose fleet of 100 mass transit buses provided for both the general public and those dedicated to civil servants.
The next ‘constituted authority’ will be required to manage the N50bn Health Endowment Fund, Oyo State Education Trust Fund, Oyo State Security Trust Fund as well as the first state health insurance scheme in Nigeria. The next Mr Governor must position Oyo State in taking advantage of the completion of the Lagos — Ibadan Expressway and the Federal Government’s rail project; open up the state to more Agric investors beyond the Dangote Group, Friesland Campina and others; grow Oyo State Pace Setter Integrated organic Farm, Songhai Model, Awe and provide additional farm land for them beyond the current 250 hectares.
The next occupant of the governor’s lodge in Ibadan needs to reduce the time frame for the processing of the electronic C of O from the current 60 days, deploy the data from the land and house enumeration across the state for better planning, continue the infrastructural revolution with the rehabilitation, expansion, and completion of road networks like the 110km Ibadan Circular Road.
Listing where we are in Oyo State in some sectors is germane to the issue at hand because a. call to leadership is a call to advance the current situation a call to move things forward, a call to make a positive difference by improving the status quo. Do we have that individual who can make the difference? Of course. Even Governor Ajimobi agrees that there are “eminently qualified” aspirants to the Governor’s Office. With a lot of sound curriculum vitae in the air, what then should determine the choice?
One thing is as sure as death. Great leaders are not those who aspire to be leaders but those who set out to make a difference. Governor Ajimobi’s successor must be the one that is hungry and thirsty for making a difference, one that is passionate about success; living and breathing excellence with a rare commitment to developing Oyo State just like his predecessor. That is only when that individual will make a difference…. the difference that will mould the building blocks on the foundation and pillars of a modern Oyo State.
Toye Arulogun is the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday received an enthusiastic reception from supporters and residents of Ihima community in Kogi State, despite a state government ban on rallies and processions.
By 8 am, crowds from the five local government areas of Kogi Central Senatorial District, which Akpoti-Uduaghan represents, had flooded the Ihima community in Okehi Local Government Area (LGA) to welcome the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker.
Several local musicians entertained the gathering as they eagerly awaited the arrival of the senator. Their patience was soon rewarded when Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived in a white helicopter, prompting cheers and jubilant applause from her supporters.
Addressing the crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan acknowledged the state government’s ban but dismissed concerns that it applied to her visit.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be permitted. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not a political season, this is not campaign time,” she said.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – Sallah – with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her visit came just hours after the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on public gatherings and processions, citing security concerns. The restrictions were further reinforced by a curfew imposed in the area by Okehi LGA Chairman, Amoka Monday, and a police warning advising her to cancel the event.
Despite these measures, Akpoti-Uduaghan remained defiant, insisting that no authority could prevent her from visiting her home.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” she declared to the cheering crowd.
Ahead of her homecoming, the senator alleged that any security breach during the event should be blamed on Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the headlines in recent months, having been suspended from the Senate for allegedly violating its rules. Her suspension coincided with a sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Akpabio. Additionally, a recall process against her is currently underway. However, she maintains that her political travails are the result of a witch hunt.
Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has declared his willingness to step aside in the 2027 elections if a stronger candidate emerges to lead the party.
Adebayo made this statement on Sunday during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it, but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” he said.
The lawyer and politician emphasised that his ambition would not stand in the way of a more capable leader who could address Nigeria’s challenges.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time,” he added.
Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP would present a candidate worthy of national support, capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election.
He further stressed that the SDP would avoid divisive politics based on religion and ethnicity.
“What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones,” he noted.
According to him, the party aims to produce a candidate whose emergence will be met with widespread approval.
“When we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP, and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’,” Adebayo said.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Moshood Olayide-Abas on his appointment as the Board Chairman of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), described Olajide’s appointment as a recognition of his dedication to the party and his contributions to its growth in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker commended President Tinubu for considering competent and loyal party members for key federal appointments.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our leader, Prince Abas Olajide on this well-deserved appointment. His leadership and commitment to the APC in Oyo State have been exemplary. I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role,” Oseni stated.
He also congratulated other notable figures from Oyo State who were appointed to federal boards, urging them to justify the confidence reposed in them by delivering on their mandates.
“This is not just an opportunity but a call to service. I encourage all appointees to work diligently in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Oseni expressed optimism that these appointments would further strengthen governance at the national level and reinforce the APC’s political structure in Oyo State.
