It is no news that the horse race to Agodi Government House in Oyo State has come and gone, electorates have decided, while every political gladiators are nursing their wounds.
Today, Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde (GSM) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the landlord of the Agodi Government House for the next three (3) years, and his party members, presently control the Oyo State House Of Assembly with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Action Democratic Party, (ADP) forming the opposition.
Interestingly, the residents of the state in their numbers were busy accessing the performance of Governor Seyi Makinde in the last 12 months based on the pyramid of success ladder, while some were still in euphoria rejoicing at cooling spots to celebrate his victory.
With the help of the coalition arrangement midwived by a former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the beneficiary of the arrangement, Engr. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 515, 621 votes to defeat his closest rival, Oloye Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who secured 357,982 votes.
Meanwhile, the three governorship candidates that sacrificed their ambitions for Govrrnor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Barrister Sharafadeen Alli of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) . These political gladiators in the state aimed at forming a government of national unity; unfortunately, the agreement was breached and the coalition went sour.
With this revelation, did Adebayo Adelabu feels that he had failed? The answer is NO, according to political pundits. As a new entrant into politics, his performance at the poll was commendable and it beams ray of hope of a better political future ;if some measures are put in place.
Our investigations revealed that the progressive party in Oyo state, even when the late governor and the leader of the progressives, Alhaji Onaolapo Lamidi Adesina led the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011, the party’s guber nominee, late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi defeated the then incumbent governor, Otunba Alao Akala of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by securing 420, 852 against 387, 132.
In a related development, in 2015, late Abiola Ajimobi became the ‘Koseleri of Oyo state’ under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by breaking the second term jinx. He polled 327,310, to defeat his brother, former governor Ladoja of the Accord Party scored 254,520 and others.
Considering these figures, it is obvious that Oloye Adebayo Adelabu performed extremely well in the last election, a feat he achieved through members of the progressives in the state who supported his ambition. This political calculation and permutation signify that the Obafemi Awolowo University trained accountant appeared to have an edge, but needs to improve on his relationship skills as a prominent political figure in the state.
According to the pundits, Adelabu must work on the politics of the ‘Gate Keepers ‘ and that of the Critical Success Factor’ (CSF) to accomplish his political ambition.
Oyo state housed Muslims, Christians and traditional worshipers, thus the need for proper religious identity in regards of governorship election.
People believed that Oloye Bayo Adelabu was a converted Christian, until the ‘sudden’ addition of ‘Abdulwaheed’ to his name.
The Muslims in the state observed that being a Muslim transcends mere name bearing. They insisted the community would be more pleased if Adelabu can take further practical steps to prove that he is really a Muslim.
No doubt, Adelabu is stylish, intelligent, strategic and has brilliant ideas toward Oyo state development, but needs to intensify efforts on these grey areas. By 2023, it is predicted that the party’s primary would be an interesting one as political juggernauts in the state surreptitiously expressed interests.
However, only time will tell.
Idowu Ayodele
Political Desk,
Mega Icon Magazine
