An uneasy calm presently pervades the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the choice of its governorship candidate, writes Femi Ogbonnikan
It is no news that Ondo State seeks the hands of a new steward to tend its herculean affairs for the next four years, as the incumbent, Olusegun Mimiko prepares to leave office. Yet, a logical and discerning mind must not only listen to the news of this engagement proposals of aspiring steward on the social media network, but a critical questioning of what would become of her, if she is betrothed by the wrong hands.
Hence, questions like: where do people go from here enlightens the mind of a politically conscious person on what to think of and do? Perhaps, this question, where to go from here, will confound the mind of the people of Ondo state, to allow them demystify the intended meaning.
From time immemorial, certain questions have always been the crux of any major paradigm shift, from one era to another, when a former experience exudes errors and horrors or a not-too-likeable memory, which explains the disdain for the soon-to-go administration, which on its final lap, has the citizenry of the state, alleging maladministration, especially financial castration, a picturesque of people living from hand to mouth, even when they are gainfully employed by the structures of the government.
The emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought a paradigm shift from what governance used to be in the days of the PDP and what it is now.
The fight against corruption, among other mantra of the party speaks volume, as it touches the image of the party. Yet, the culture of handpicking candidates by political warlords within the party has not only extinguished the passion and sympathy of younger people with brilliant ideas to contest under the umbrella of the party, it is chasing away prospective progressives with potential.
It must, however, be noted that the APC of late conducted primaries, but stealthily handpicked its standard bearer into various elective offices. This issue is already manifesting in the Ondo State PDP over the insinuation that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has anointed his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.
To demonstrate their annoyance, a businessman, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, and two former Commissioners in Mimiko’s cabinet, Chief Sola Ebiseni (Environment) and Mr Bamiduro Dada (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who recently resigned their appointments, and obtained the governorship nomination forms, thus, cashing in, on the rumbling in the party and other complaints by aspirants, that Mimiko had anointed the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as the party’s candidate.
Interestingly, the battle for Ondo’s hands in marriage by the many prospective aspirants, not only strikes critical thoughts, as it has never been this keenly contested for, it parades the picture of so many suitors – the good, the bad and the ugly – seeking the consent of a rare gem in marriage. Little wonder, that the bride is called ‘a place of pride’. However, the issue with this historical proposal is the presence of spent forces in the marriage.
Whereas nobody nurses the notion of zoning, the idea of ejecting the best aspirant for the number one position of Ondo State, a critical look at the personality, pedigree, clout, temperament, educational qualifications and passion of some of these aspirants would not only answer the puzzles, but quiz the people’s minds on where to go or navigate through the thoughts of the most competent.
Youths are the leaders of tomorrow, as the saying goes, it is unproductive to continue to recycle the old order politicians. One thing is crystal clear though, the bulk of the youths, who are the starters of the new order – change – are the promoters of the mantra, which all and sundry have been clamouring and yearning for.
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Interestingly, the battle for Ondo’s hands in marriage by the many prospective aspirants, not only strikes critical thoughts, as it has never been this keenly contested for, it parades the picture of so many suitors – the good, the bad and the ugly – seeking the consent of a rare gem in marriage. Little wonder, that the bride is called ‘a place of pride’. However, the issue with this historical proposal is the presence of spent forces in the marriage
