“The lessons that have been learnt from electoral malpractices over the years is that the people must be ever vigilant because ballot coup is worst than military coup. Nigerians should always insist on issues, ideas, not personalities, money bags that have nothing to offer the people” – Nowinta’s book: WHERE WE ARE (Page 135).
As we wait impatiently for the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun state, two personalities of no mean political repute, who have made themselves greatest election winners in Nigeria, recently keep resurfacing in my mind.
Who are these personalities? Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the “Iroko” Dr Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State. Against all odds, Oshiomhole and Mimiko proved book makers wrong when they dramatically secured their first term mandates. These two guys, though of different political backgrounds and platforms went on to prove their extreme popularity with the electorate in their respective states by winning their second term elections in grand style.
Honestly, in the midst of the brick bats and brimstones being hauled about by some desperate politicians in Osun State, who simply want to reap where they have not sown politically, something deep down is telling me that giving the spectacular performance of the incumbent, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola in office so far, it will be most strange if he does not achieve the political feats of Comrade Oshiomhole and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
It will be really strange if Ogbeni Aregbesola fails to secure a second time in office on August 9, 2014, that is if Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fails to ensure a genuine level playing field for all political parties fielding candidates for the Osun State governorship election.
It will be stranger than political fiction if Senator Iyiola Omisore of PDP emerges victorious in the coming Governorship election in Osun State because his antecedents speak volume of a haunted past (allegation that he has a case to answer in the celebrated murder of late Bola lge), inconsistencies and gross unpreparedness to lead the people of Osun State to any meaningful level.
How do we want to place a character like Iyiola Omisore who displayed glaringly his stark fear, instinct for violence and lack of touch with the people of Osun State by parading ninjas (marksmen) as body guards in the early weeks of his campaign rallies?
Some people have talked about stomach infrastructure as an issue because of what happened in the last governorship election in Ekiti State. Ogbeni has scored excellently well in providing for the pupils in primary schools and secondary schools in Osun State. It is only mindless ingrates that will not repay Ogbeni Aregbesola with gigantic votes on August 9th, 2014, because of what he has practicalized in the educational sector and in other sectors since November 27, 2010.
Without question, the August 9 governorship election in Osun state is very important to the electoral development of Nigeria. Like what is obtainable in the civilized climes of the world, we all must ensure that the right atmosphere is created by Professor Attahiru Jega’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Wait a minute, during the governorship election in Edo State in 2011, where an unknown General and a political lightweight, Charles Arhiavbere, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stood up to challenge Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, coupled with a heavy presence of military personnel who were marvelously impartial, along with a smooth field provided by INEC, Oshiomhole went on to win with a landslide.
Even, when Rotimi Akeredolu squared up against Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State, because INEC made available a sanitized atmosphere and President Jonathan brought in military personnel to maintain absolute peace, it was easy for him (Mimiko) to secure the first ever second tenure in the history of Ondo State.
Now, if military personnel are adequately instructed not to aid or abet any candidates on August 9, 2014, and if Professor Jega dances according to what he has been preaching and singing without any hidden sophisticated agenda of rigging (allegation of pre-thumb printed materials that favored Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose), just like Mimiko and Oshiomhole, Ogebeni Rauf Aregbesola will beat Iyiola Omisore hands down. This is the fact of the matter.
All men of goodwill must call on President Jonathan and Jega’s INEC to allow the wishes and aspirations of the electorate in Osun State to prevail. When are we going to have digital voting, so that credible candidates like Ogbeni Aregbesola can win election easily? What is the Jonathan Presidency talking about Electoral Offence Tribunal? If these things are put in place election riggers and their foot soldiers will be out of business in Nigeria.
If the people of Osun state indeed suffered severe discrimination and became second class citizens in a democratic state for seven and half years, under the PDP, common sense dictates that they should know where to pitch their tents at all times, especially on August 9, 2014. Aregbesola will overcome this hurdle as he did against General Oyinlola in 2007!
Nowinta wrote WHERE WE ARE – A CALL FOR DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION IN NIGERIA
