By: Tunde IMOLEHIN (tundeimolehin.com)
I read a report that a politician of Owo descent has ditched his principal to pitch tent with the aspiration of Owo people to be Number 2 in Ondo State. May I tell that politician to please look for another reason because there is nothing compared with being Number 1. The truth is that no matter what you may think about the death of Aketi, Owo is forever diminished by his passing. In any case, no one knows tomorrow. Governor Lucky has not formally announced his running mate for the next gubernatorial election in the sunshine state. The Lucky soul is also yet to formally drop his intention to be on the ballot.
As Adelami steps up today to serve the state as the No 2 citizen, the political power headquarters in Owo automatically shifts from Ijebu to Iselu.Traffic along Iselu route will increase. Okada and taxi people along will likely charge more money than before. New bars and hang-out relaxation centres and spits will likely emerge. Another powerful SA will be born. What I am not sure about is if we will ever have a powerful or influential commissioner like RIMI from the Iselu quarters. Aketi is irreplaceable. Hard truth, whether you like it or not.
Success has many friends and today will put that in great display and perspective. Olayide Owolabi Adelami, mni, becomes a brand new person, a new political bride. The Oko Opo (husband of the widow) sobriquet becomes His Excellency. His house, like the Maranatha, is the new “Mecca” of Owo politics. Already, not a few, who until recently were political foes of Adelami are already topping the list of his key admirers and promoters. They will sing his praises. Many will establish projects in his name. Many prayer warriors will impose themselves on him. Even those who never came across him will court him. Owo epo laye nba ni la (success attracts many). Such is life.
For Owo kingdom and environ, a new political leader is born. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality. But what his appointment will signpost for the kingdom is a matter of time and will depend on how he manages the role, knowing full well that constitutionally, there is no real role for the office of a deputy governor. That is why holders of such a position are often referred to as “spare tyres”. The truth of the matter is that the appointment of Adelami was a well- managed secret. The permutation was in favour of either Ondo North or Central Senatorial District since the South has already produced Aiyedatiwa with Owo having an edge over the others due to the political calculation to compensate for Aketi’s demise, Adelami’s candidacy was the least publicly canvassed. He himself admitted this after his screening when he said “I was not expecting to be deputy governor; I was busy pushing for a Federal appointment” This statement, which has gone viral, has been interpreted by several analysts.
Let me quote verbatim Bola Bolawole’s submission on Adelami’s appointment in his last week article “The third example is that of the mint-fresh deputy governor of my state, Ondo, Mr. Olayide Adelami, who was quoted as saying he did not lobby for the post, which some other people almost killed themselves over. Fair enough! And kudos, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his recruitment team. But in doing that, Adelami inadvertently let the cat out of the bag when he said he was busy chasing after a Federal appointment when the deputy governor job came! His exact words: “I never contested for deputy governor; I was looking for a federal appointment when I was called to be deputy governor…”
So, people go to look for Federal appointments? How? So, all the rumours we hear of how people do all sorts to get appointments, how appointments are bought and sold, may not be all lies after all! So, what happens to competent people not willing to go look for appointments? They rot away in their little corners? Is there not a system where we can headhunt for the best materials whether or not they go looking for appointments, just as happened with the job of deputy governor that Adelami landed without lobbying?
So, then, is this scripture fulfilled before our very eyes: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7: 7-8).
But how can a country move forward with the “man-know-man” and “highest bidder” kind of recruitment system it is said we operate here?
However, whether he lobbied for it or not, my take is that the appointment of Adelami is a good one which has been well received across the land. For Owo, a new era beckons. For Ondo State, a new political dimension. In Adelami, the governor has found an accomplished bureaucrat- turned politician who will help him navigate the already charged political atmosphere in the bitumen-rich sunshine state whose sun can shine more if politics is devoid of several needless and avoidable shenanigans of the past and even the present. On a final note, I want to thank Governor Aiyedatiwa for the appointment of a level-headed and experienced administrator in the mould of Olayide Owolabi Adelami. Mr Governor, your work is well cut out for you. To many, you have started well. To others, you are a non-starter. It is expected. You have to prove to all that you are not in name only. You have to display exceptional acumen that will translate the state to first among equals. You have to rebuild and unite the party genuinely and pragmatically. And for those of us that are supporting and rooting for you, you have to sustain our bragging rights. “Aiye ti da tie nisehin o” , as Aketi said but use it well. I also want to congratulate the new deputy governor for this well-earned choice. My advice to him is that he should continue to put humanity and GOD first in all that he does. Owo kingdom and environ needs serious healing in all dimensions.
Be far away from liars and political jobbers. May GOD ALMIGHTY give him the grace to play his part and play it well.
For those who will be turning out in their best attires and new uniforms today to celebrate this appointment, I also say congratulations.
May Ondo State and Nigeria be the ultimate winner. Amen.
