It is an incontrovertible fact that every man is a selfish being. That is a law of natural justice. This aptly informs my vehement objection to the biblical admonition of ” Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”( Mark 12:31)
The injunction here is practically impossible unless we want to be economical with the truth. It is an opium. This admonition is a sharp contrast to the Yoruba maxim that; ‘ Bi’na ba jo’ni, j’omo eni, t’ara eni, la a koko gbon”. The interpretation goes thus: it is logical to quench the raging fire on oneself before attempting to quench the fire on one’s son.
Globally, politics is about interest and alliance. Alliance could be swayed but interest remains sacrosanct.
People dabble into politics for numerous reasons. Numero uno, the quest for power tops the reason. Intention to impact on lives through good governance trails behind.
Succinctly, every politician adopted various strategy: mathematical and diplomatic, to curry favour and attract sympathy.
Arguably, a significant number of politicians are gluttonous. However, the fact that many of them are callous and dubious does not foreclose the fact that some are relatively good. The word ‘relatively’ is intentional, purposeful.
Few days ago, I stumbled on the vituperation of the embattled senator Kola Balogun representing Oyo south senatorial district. I was captivated when I saw his reaction which I had been expecting, consequent upon his “disenfranchisement” to return to the senate. His reaction was conveyed and publicized by Oduduwa News, a reputable media.
So, one could imagine the interest I would divert to peruse such explanation from the horse’s mouth. His case is of paramount importance to me as a freelance and a public opinion analyst who cherish balance reportage.
So, one could imagine the interest I would divert to peruse such explanation from the horse’s mouth. His case is of paramount importance to me as a freelancer, human right crusader and a public opinion analyst who cherish balance reportage. I don’t engage in jungle journalism but care no hoot to say it, the way it is. Undiluted. No matter whose ox is gored.
Background to his Anger
In a bid to assert authority and reposition himself for the next election, the executive governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde had entered into a political contractual bargaining with Chief Tegbe. It is not a misnormer to appease, entice and lure politicians with clout. Pedigree differs.
In view of the alliance, the governor, in his wisdom, had promised a senatorial ticket for the big fish from the ocean of APC. In reminiscence, Chief Tegbe was a staunch APC member and an uncompromised ally of former governor Ajimobi. The relationship between the late governor and chief Tegbe was so cordial that the former was the initial heir apparent and the anointed candidate of the tooth-gapped late governor. Power play from the above denied Chief Tegbe, otherwise, he would have been the APC flagbearer then.
As a human being, he never forgot the shortchange. Seemingly, he was embittered with venomous innuendoes. Therefore, because every man is selfish, one could not blame him for accepting the offer of the governor especially when it was not sure that he would be made the APC candidate come 2023.
Governor Makinde had previously wanted to snatch Oyo north senatorial ticket from Chief Bisi Ilaka who was the former Chief of staff to the governor. Yours sincerely had written on that; referring to Ilaka as “the most unfortunate loyal party man” in an article; ” Ilakaka Bisi Ilaka”. Despite serial disappointments, the Oyo – born politician never decamped from PDP. The governor met him in PDP. I make bold to say that.
Fortune however smiled on the bearded Chief when the governor reverted; opting instead to deny Senator Balogun who had enjoyed a term. So, the younger brother to the newly-crowned Olubadan became the eventual victim. ‘Ori wa ko ni gba abode.’
It is not unusual therefore that senator Balogun would react. Pinch yourself with a needle to fill the reflex action before you inflict such on others.
The vituperation
“…Governor Makinde reportedly made some claims that I am not performing and that I am not taking care of the party leaders in the nine local government areas in Oyo South Senatorial District.
“As a Christian, can he swear with the Holy Bible and with his life that those were the real and principal reasons he took that decision? I challenge him to publicly swear before the PDP stakeholders; before the people of Ibadan, Oyo South Senatorial District and the entire state that he took that decision solely because of the reasons stated in the report. If he can do this, I will come back to openly apologise to him.
“The allegation of non-performance against me is puerile. The record of my performance and achievements is in the public domain and it is hereby attached to this
piece.
Governor Makinde was pressured by some powerful cartel in his Guest House who were of the fear that having a Balogun as the Olubadan and another Balogun as a senator would be too strong for the governor to control.”
The reaction above was encapsulated in a title; ” Why Makinde denied me second term senatorial ticket”. The nagging question is : why won’t he deny you?!
Senator Balogun needs to be conscious of two facts upon which I will draw the curtain on this piece. One, you may be good but some people may be better than you. Secondly, the governor cannot love you more than himself. He has his own interest as a sane man. For crying loud , he cannot prioritise you at his own detriment. Such would be at his own peril. It is though unfortunate that you have been traded but that is politics.
So, weep not ! If every other qualified person could have just a term, it would go round. It is not proper to castigate the governor publicly if the manner with which your elder brother ascended the throne is reverted to. If God had not used the governor, Senator Ladoja and destiny, the royal stool would have remained elusive to Ali-Iwo descendants.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News.
For comments:
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com