The political clouds gathering across the nation has signalled that governance is gradually taking a backseat, at least for offices filled in the 2023 elections.
It is becoming evident that the mandates we willingly or financially gave our leaders two years ago are nearing their halfway mark. What remains now is the struggle for the 2027 elections. Consequently, further service to the nation will be increasingly shaped by political considerations ahead of the next polls.
If you doubt this, recent events and the unexpected outbursts from individuals described as hecklers and wannabes in a statement issued by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President, revealed that the contest for power has already begun in earnest.
In Oyo State, one long-standing agitation I grew up hearing is “Oke-Ogun Lokan” which translates to “It is Oke-Ogun’s turn” to produce the next governor. The drumbeats of this aspiration are growing louder, signaling that residents and natives of Oke-Ogun’s ten local governments are determined to have one of their own leads the state.
Towards the end of 2024, I had a private conversation with a senior journalist in Oyo State about this agenda. The meticulous and brilliant journalist, without mincing words, said, “We hope they are serious this time.” That response struck me: have we, the people of Oke-Ogun, not been serious about our aspirations?
This led me to ponder: What level of seriousness do we need to bring to the table to produce the next governor of Oyo State? Otherwise, our agitation risks becoming nothing more than a wishful thinking and a directionless exercise. After all, power is never served à la carte.
The first step in assessing our seriousness is identifying the real contenders. That question forms the crux of this piece: who are the real governorship contenders from Oke-Ogun, and what are they doing differently from past, failed attempts?
A governorship ambition requires substantial financial and strategic investment. It is not a game of hide and seek, where pretenders blend in until serious contenders take the lead. At this stage, we cannot afford to call upon or beckon individuals to contest. Nobody should even be waiting to be called upon. We need audacious politicians willing to stake everything- just as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did before our eyes.
We do not need aspirants whose moves exist only on radio, TV, and newspaper interviews with a handful of journalists. Neither do we need individuals relying on weakened or ruptured political ties or sympathy to challenge contenders from other zones.
So, at the risk of being seen as an ultracrepidarian: one who speaks beyond their knowledge, then, who are the real contenders from Oke-Ogun?
In the APC, for instance, no aspirant from Oke-Ogun has shown interest worthy of serious consideration, at least not yet. All we have been hearing were permutations capable of natural death. Even at that, Abuja will ultimately decide, leaving party faithful to remain willing captives, who are looking toward the seat of power for direction. So, who are the real APC contenders from Oke-Ogun?
For the ruling PDP in the state, Governor Seyi Makinde will play a decisive role. Every Nigerian governor seeks to anoint a successor, even if it leads to leadership brouhaha as seen in Rivers State. The question again is: who among the PDP members from Oke-Ogun has the courage to demonstrate the seriousness required?
This is a question that must be answered across party lines. Unless Oke-Ogun produces aspirants with strong connections, financial war chests, and goodwill that extends beyond its enclave, the next dispensation will follow the pattern of previous ones as another missed opportunity.
Dayo Ogunsola writes from Abuja. He can be reached via ogunsola.dayo@yahoo.com
