The ongoing situation in Osun state, with Governor Ademola Adeleke at the helm, has reached a climax with today's developments. Despite widespread opposition, the governor proceeded with the planned local government elections, which however ultimately proved to be a critical error for him.
Notwithstanding its adverse effects, his stubbornness has its advantages. There are several lessons that can be learned from it. Among other outcomes, the unsuccessful attempt to conduct local government council elections still produced some results for the governor. Some of these results include his waning popularity among the people, including his own party. Who would have predicted that even the governor's own party members could ignore his pleas and heavy mobilization to come out and vote in large numbers? No one could have foreseen it. But it happened. People of Osun didn’t come out in spite the huge amount invested in publicity and awareness programs. They preferred to stay off the streets. Even where there was no movement restrictions people preferred to spend their time in their houses to watch African magic. The good people of Osun are wiser to know that their participation in the election would amount to waste of time. They know the governor was merely out to deceive them to cover for his desperation, failures and shame.
But for the governor's hardline stance, the public would not have had the chance to know that Osun State's local government councils are not currently vacant according to the law. The controversy and false information surrounding the Court of Appeal judgment would have persisted. That law enforcement agencies did not get involved, coupled with the arrest of OSIEC staff after their headquarters were sealed, is enough evidence that their actions concerning the failed local government elections are unlawful.
Today's developments have served to underscore emphatically the absence of any vacancy in the state's local council. Through its actions, the federal government has made an unequivocal statement in this regard. Regrettably, the governor's injudicious actions have compelled the federal government to adopt a firm stance which shows there is no vacancy in the councils of Osun state. Prior to today's events, the federal government, in its attempt to extend an olive branch to Governor Ademola Adeleke, urged, persuaded, and even implored him to refrain from contemplating any election into the councils because there is no vacancy. But he refused. Nevertheless, the governor's actions have been likened to those of the proverbial tortoise, who predicated his return journey on the inevitability of his disgrace at where he was traveling to. Governor Adeleke choosing the path of disgrace got the fullest of it today.
However, rumor suggests that the governor, undeterred by his disregard for the law, intends to declare certain individuals as winners of today's charade and subsequently inaugurate them as elected council chairmen. This action would be a senseless challenge to the Federal Government's authority and the consequences could be severe for him and the ever peaceful state. The FG tolerance and pamper of him, may be over stretched with this action and the response may be too horrifying for him and his administration to contemplate.
Meanwhile, the developments so far make the All Progressive Congress (APC) of Osun deserving of accolades. As usual, the party has adeptly and successfully drawn a less tactically astute and politically wise Adeleke into another battle he is unlikely to win, this time against the Federal Government. It has consistently been the case for the embattled Adeleke and his party, with the APC, a more experienced player in political battles, subtly drawing him into unnecessary battles against superior opponents. Examples abound in his confrontations with the judiciary, traditional institutions, the nation’s security managers, and so on.
Akin Adeyi
Akoni Oodua Ayeniromo
Capone de Tutti ….has again warned.
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