By Orukotan Ayomikun Samuel
© CC BY-NC-ND 2014Political gladiators have started beating the drums of war and singing proverbial songs. Some followers are busy dancing to the peculiar melody while others are fanning the cinders of bigotry and hatred. Political instability has been rife in Osun state ever since political campaigns started. The center for democracy and development under its director, Hassan Idayat has warned against pre-election and post-election violence because according to her, the political actors in the state is adopting strategies aimed at destroying the shape of democracy and governance in Osun state. These unhealthy campaigns have since created panic and tension among the people, sending out wrong signal of a do- or- die election. Thus, a sense of anarchy and electoral riot is gradually being registered into the sub-conscious mind of the people. War of words has since be energised between different political parties, there have been accusations, counter-accusations and denials from different quarters, the nailing of some persons personalities via series of hot media campaigns is also not left out coupled with the formation of derogatory comments.
The much anticipated contest is between Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the APC and Mr Iyisola Omisore of the PDP and probably candidates of other mushroom political parties who lacks much room to enjoy high ratings. Recently, the acting inspector general of police, Suleiman Abba who had been inundated with complaints about the boisterous behavior of party thugs read the riot act to those planning to foment trouble during the Saturday governorship election in Osun state and he has since assured a free and fair election. Nevertheless, many statements have emerged prior to Saturday’s election. The national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed alleged that President Good-luck Jonathan reportedly instructed security agencies to ensure victory for his party by all means. Ladoja objected this claim by saying, “deploying soldiers to Osun was the right move”.
At the weekend, Oregun and its cohorts have asked all APC stalwarts both at state and national level to storm Osun state before Saturday’s election in assertion of APC’s choice of words. “We will record landslide victory in OSUN”. What are they coming to do in Osun considering the fact that some of them are not eligible to vote? What impact are they going to add to the credibility of Saturday’s election? Is it to subvert electoral process? Or to uphold electoral rules and regulations? The ever conscious average Osun-ite is asking, I just hope they get answers before Saturday. However, the PDP has since rejected the “assumed prophecy” by coming to say, “Its candidate, Iyisola Omisore is already coasting to victory. The party further said, Mr Omisore’s acceptance by the voting population, wide-spread political structure and a track record of abiding affinity and loyalty to Osun people are the reasons for its assertion. While I leave others to worry about the sense and non-sense happening in the politics of Osun state, I want to divert my thoughts to thought provoking issues as the day draws close.
Close followers of the scenario in Osun state contend that the forces struggling for political power and control were once upon a time united against the progressive bloc in the state. As days grind on towards the battle for supremacy, the battle field is tense and the guerrillas are also not tired of fighting. As election draws near, fingers remain crossed; expectations are high as to who will become the next elected governor of Osun state. However, it is noteworthy that preparation be made by 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 with 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 tells the story of credible entities. I casted my bread upon waters long time ago, now it’s time for you to send it back to me toasted and buttered on both sides.
The fight between Mr Iyisola Omisore and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola represents the quandary man could face when he wants to prove to a woman that he truly loves her. The deal is to tell me something sweet aside “I LOVE YOU” and its constituents. What will I say now ooooo? He asked himself quiescently. This is an emotional trauma the man is likely to face but will he think of the post-modern attitude as that of a man who loves a very cultivated woman? Knowing fully well that he cannot say to her, “I love you madly” because he knows that she knows these words have already been used by Barbara Cart land. What else will he say? While still thinking about this question, sociologist would have loved to get an answer from the pace setting people of Osun state as a reflection of dexterity and intent. After all, it has already been settled that there are many sugar-coated politicians whose mind is like a soup dish, wide and shallow such that it could hold a small amount of nearly anything but the slightest jarring spilled the soup into somebody’s lap. The people of Osun must be ready to contend with the most emotive and moving aspects of poverty to elect a governor else, we will end up crowning a governor.
