By Orukotan Ayomikun Samuel
The election siren is here again, the host is Ekiti state, it is here again with its usual noise of anticipation, it is here again with its hurly-burly activities coupled with violence and killings, and it is here again with its many platforms but yet not many promises to go round. The Ekiti gubernatorial election is already impregnated with loads of expectation even as the battle behind the scene is getting tense in the build-up to the election. The election into the governorship seat of the state which prides itself as the fountain of knowledge is taking a new twist as claims and counter claims from opposition parties ensue. The attack and the defence strategy is also not left out of this fight for supremacy more so that political gladiators have ever since started insulting each other’s personalities while some are busy making derogatory dictum in a bid to throw verbal punches at each other’s territory. No doubt, this has always been the bane of our political vista and once again, the polity is seriously heated up in Ekiti state. This is what the game of throne can offer its supporters and it is doing this at its very peak.
In this contest, there are three prominent politicians, who are no doubt contenders. They are in a contest for the much-coveted seat of power. The likes of Dr Kayode Fayemi of the APC (All Progressive Congress), Ayo Fayose of the PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and Michael Opeyemi Bamidele whose sobriquet is MOB of the Labour party have all scaled some kind of political hurdle that qualifies them to represent the interest of their party and conversely of the state. Ayodele Fayose, the governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party won the primary elections against all odds. He has since enjoyed some sort of support from various groups in Ekiti state as scores of okada riders, market women, civil servants and the likes have drummed their unflinching support for Fayose. This was evidently evident in the rally held in the state on Friday, the 30th of May 201 but in addendum to this, he is also depending on the federal arsenal, police control, financial muscle and the likes to prosecute his governorship ambition. This was evident in the rally that took place in Ado-Ekiti on the 6th of June 2014 when the President, Vice-President and a host of PDP stalwarts were very confident and vouched to back Fayose in achieving the state house dream. This has always been the style of the PDP in any election, they went to Anambra state, they fell gallantly, they did the same in Ondo state, they equally failed and now they have done same in Ekiti state, will they fail? Or will they re-write history? Time will tell.
This Fayose was ousted from the state house in 2006. This same man slept several months in the EFCC hole. What reputation has he built to merit a return to where he left 8 years? Why wanting to go back to where you once left? After all, I suppose everybody wants to move forward and that is why the eyes are in front of the head and not at the back. Is this ambition based on any unfinished business? Or is it based on personal interest? Time again will tell because in Anambra state, Ngige was never allowed to finish his supposedly “unfinished business”, he was shown the red card, Ngige’s situation is akin to Fayose’s situation but comparing a man with a boy is a philosophical crime in the contest of what both personalities stand for in their various states.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressive Congress is riding on the wings of incumbency. His visionary leadership anchored on the eight point agenda of his administration has positively influenced the lives of the people and hence, seeking re-election based on this merit is not a mistake. After all, a second term bid in Nigeria has been the usual status-quo for almost our entire political office holders. Therefore, Dr Kayode Fayemi is still operating in his full capacity like his political network. He has so far enjoyed support from various groups in the state with some, also from outside the state. A typical one is the support from the Ekiti diaspora in Europe popularly called EDE. It is actually a coalition group from all parts of Europe coming together because of their concern for the imminent June 21st elections.
Will he win as the others have done? Or will he benefit from the perceived “PDP-PHOBIA” from the people who are really tired of voting a party that has performed under the weather at both federal and state level? Only time will tell
Nevertheless, be it as it may, MOB is also a contender. He seems to be the underdog in this fight for glory, but though he could enjoy support from his Labour party group. Leveraging on the labor party administration in Ondo-state to assist him in making “there was a dream” to become “dream actualized.” He left Abuja to pursue this calling and only time will tell if it was really a “call to serve” or “a flash to sieve.”
Election draws near, fingers remain crossed; expectations are high as to who will become the next elected governor of Ekiti state. However, it is noteworthy that preparation be made by the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) to conduct a free and fair election because often a time, elections conducted by INEC in Nigeria has been marred by irregularities and electoral fraud. History is here again to make your credibility known and advertise your readiness for 2015 general elections. If I were you, I will answer to the call of history that only tells the story of credible entities.
I casted my bread upon waters long time ago, now it is time for you to send it back to me toasted and buttered on both sides. This is no doubt a crucial stage in the lives of Ekiti people as they seek to decide who rules them for the next four years. The fight between these three aforementioned contenders represents the dilemma man faces when choosing his spouse; will he go for a quick-witted or picturesque lady? Will he go for make-up or natural beauty? Sociologists would have loved to get an answer from the pace-setting Ekiti people as an indication of how men think. After all, it is already settled that women do not set great store by how well a man looks but by the content of his… Ah, why do I want to provoke a war? I just hope this election will not be another story of – I won the election but I lost the count. Until then, let us play maturity while we exercise our civic rights.
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