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Politicians, The Slaves of Death and Nigerians as Their Victims | By Wole Adejumo
Ibadan was recently jolted by the news of the death of Moshood Ekugbemi, one of the most dreaded men in the ancient city. Ekugbemi’s violent end was reportedly facilitated by one Biola Ebila. Interestingly, the men being referred to are both under the age of 35 but they head the most dreaded gangs the city has ever heard of.
Just before the 2019 general elections, a friend was driving through a popular industrial estate in Ibadan. He looked through the rearview mirror and noticed that the convoy of a politician was behind him. He maintained his speed even as the vehicle behind him hooted and the man on the passenger seat in front gave a hand signal for him to pull over so they could pass. “We are the ones that will vote for you so you cannot drive us away from the road”, my friend thought to himself. What happened the next minute made him have a rethink; a peep in the rearview mirror and he saw that the man in the vehicle behind him was no longer giving a hand signal; instead, he was brandishing a double-barreled pump action rifle. For a couple of minutes after the convoy had gone, he sat motionless in the car thinking about the future of Nigeria.
In Ibadan, it is a normal thing to hear that the average Nigerian politician has lots of ‘eru iku’ (slaves of death) under his or her control. It has become another term for political thugs. They do the dirty jobs of killing and maiming opponents of their sponsors while they snatch ballot boxes if need be. My friend didn’t need to attend a political rally before he saw the “eru ikus” at very close range.
Though first time voters saw the violence that occurred in some areas as significant political experience, those who have been around for some time know that it has become an essential part of the polls in Nigeria.
How do these things come to be? Youths with tremendous energy are hired by politicians as political thugs and are provided with tools of violence; drugs, cutlasses, arms and ammunition as part of their contract. And usually, those weapons never get mopped up after the polls. Losers are usually too busy massaging their losses to remember to collect the weapons back while the thugs are usually seen as being extraordinarily useless by winners, until the next electioneering campaigns start.
It may therefore not be wrong to infer that the thugs funded by the political class, when abandoned, usually turn to face the ordinary citizens. That was the beginning of the journey for most of the groups that have turned deadly, the One Million Boys of Ibadan, the Awawa Boys of Lagos and others.
While politicians continue with their chicanery, the purchasing power of citizens continues to dwindle and they are thus left at the mercy of the ruling class. That explains the sense of entitlement of the hoodlums who know they cannot coerce their former paymasters into “dropping” money. They approach defenceless citizens with every sense of authority and demand funds at any slight excuse.
In some places, if you are building your house, you have to “drop” at every significant stage of the project; before you lay the foundation, while casting the decking and even the roofing stage. Failure to yield to their demands could lead to violence, destruction of property or even loss of lives.
The lockdown order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has further exposed the fact that the lower class has been left to be dealt with by the monsters created by the ruling class. People in Agege, Igando and Ikotun areas of Lagos are having sleepless nights while those in highbrow areas like Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki are safe. In Ibadan, boys around Beere, Oja’ba and Oke Ado have to stay up at night. The bonfires they set up do not only pose health hazards, they also end up damaging the asphalt on the roads on the long run.
While the elected can sleep with two eyes closed, the electorates are groaning under the yoke of the tormentors-in-chief appointed indirectly by the ruling class.
Is there a way out? Maybe not anytime soon because as long as the amount of money shared determines who wins elections without recourse to competence and character, the present state of political hopelessness will persist. Politicians too will continue to keep the populace under since their positions were bought in the first place and they will continue to have eru iku to bear their messages of death.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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