Shina Peller’s Waggish Political Ideology

“Those whose kernels were cracked by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.” – Chinua Achebe

This popular Igbo proverb encapsulates the political story of Hon. Shina Peller, a former member of Representatives. For a good scriptwriter, his story will not only make an interesting read but also a box office success.

Why would it be that interesting? His is a story of a man whose power was thrust upon him on a silver platter but blew it up for his over-inflated ego and insatiability.

Since he defected to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), tongues have been wagging about the former lawmaker’s political ideology.

In the wake of this recent development, it is said that the move has further confirmed his desperation for power and political relevance. This, indeed, has given his compatriots cause to confirm that an average Nigerian politician is capable of spewing surprises.

In the views of many, his action reeks of desperation for power, political relevance and lack of clear-cut ideology.

Peller, a former member of the House of Representatives who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in 2019 to represent Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, left the party in 2023 to secure the Oyo North Senatorial ticket of the Accord Party. But he lost the general election to the candidate of the APC, Fatai Buhari. Since his loss in the senatorial election, he has been bitter and petulant.

Many political pundits believe that perhaps if he had yielded to the advice of some of his friends, he wouldn’t be biting his finger in regret today.  The man, whose name is synonymous with the nightclub business, would later embrace politics with the assistance of his godfather, the late governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi. The Iseyin-born entertainer cum politician was quite lucky as he found his way to the green chamber of the National Assembly in his first attempt at the poll, a feat some of his contemporaries spent years searching for with no positive result.