Isn’t it true that it would be very difficult to find decency in the midst of some political office holders in Oyo state, bearing in mind the way through which some political leaders got their seats in the state? What even makes those who were seen as refined individuals before they joined politics to turn to political leaders who’re not characterized by good manners immediately they’re elected to hold political posts?
It’s so strange to realize that a former woman senator – who was seen as a cultivated type, though very little was known about her before she joined politics in Oyo state after spending many years abroad – could involve in the selection of an unsophisticated character for the post of a local council chairman.
So many people wonder how the former assemblywoman – who was being refered to as Aduke by her political son – got connected with the suspended LG chairman who went on social media to display boorish and uncouth behavior that is currently painting Oyo state black in the eyes of the world. What could have influenced Aduke to nominate such undisciplined person to head a whole local government council in Oyo state?
In the video that went viral on social media, Mr Olusola Oluokun, the suspended chairman of Oyo East LG, was seen, in a manner unfit for someone of his calibre, partially unclothed, eating while singing the praises of his benefactor, Aduke, and at the same time cursing those whom he perceived as Adeke’s political foes.
He said, “Who doesn’t know Aduke? What lunatics don’t know Aduke? Anyone who doesn’t know Aduke will never truly know anyone until they depart this world.” He continued, “Aduke, my helper, my benefactor. She appointed me as local government chairman and brought me abroad… Who among the foolish does not know Aduke? Who among the unfortunate does not know Aduke?”
Of course there isn’t anything wrong in appreciating the good and kind gesture extended to one by his benefactor inasmuch as the eulogy goes not beyond praise-singing, but it’s indecent for someone whom the young ones look up to as their role model to go public cursing others in the name of showing loyalty to one’s benefactor.
I’m one of those who have the belief that the kind of people who’re elected to hold public offices determine the kind of society people get. This is exactly the reason I always castigate the method by which Gov Makinde singlehandedly chose those who have been managing the affairs of Oyo state for it’s wrong for a lone voice to decide for the multitude. Without a doubt, Makinde’s method of recruiting elected office holders in the state glaringly brings not good governance Oyo state people deserve.
Although the governor’s supporters normally defend their principal in whatever he chooses to do, I think we’re being justified by the conduct of Oluokun who confirmed that he was appointed as a local government chairman by the governor through Makinde’s political ally, Madam Aduke.
What exactly do we expect from one of the governor’s appointed local council chairmen who were supposed to be elected through a free and fair LG election but were solitarily selected, according to Oluokun, by the governor and Madam Aduke?
Now coming back to the former woman senator who, after completing her studies in the UK, worked briefly in the same UK before taking up employment with the government of United Kingdom. She climbed the ranks within the British government and achieved a senior position before departing for Nigeria in 2011 to contest for a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly.
In the light of Madam Aduke’s noteworthy profile which undoubtedly puts her among other Nigerians who had seen how politics was being played in foreign countries, I’m really surprised by the former assemblywoman’s decision to engage in the obscene way politics is being played in Nigeria, not minding the adverse effects her decision could cause the same people she claims to represent.
What is even the correlation between a ladylike ‘godmother’ and a badly behaved political son who did not see anything wrong in cursing other people who weren’t in his godmother’s camp? Was there no better person in the PDP to endorse for election other than Oluokun?
To have a country or state where decency prevails and flourishes, the people that manage the affairs of that particular country/state must be fellows who have the wherewithal to be above board. We can surely have highly moral and ethical political leaders provided all the political parties in the country/state are ready to allow level playing ground in the process through which their candidates emerge to contest for elections.
I’m very sure that the conduct of Oluokun would serve as an example to other political parties to always give room for free and fair primary elections for the sake of good governance. And that the electorate would desist from voting for the candidates of the parties which rarely give their party members the privilege to contribute to the emergence of the candidates they put forward for elections. What kind of democracy allows only a governor to unaidedly nominate candidates for election without the involvement of the majority?
If the process by which candidates are emerged in the PDP in Oyo state is allowed to thrive or survive, the rottenness in the recruitment of elected officials in the state will forever make it impossible for Oyo state people to enjoy good governance and dividends of democracy.
Ademola ‘Bablow’ Babalola can be reached via babalolaademola39@gmail.com
