Dissecting And Situating Claims, Nay Assertions Between Hon Ladi Adebutu And Otunba Jimi Lawal of The PDP In Ogun

Indeed, in solitude, shall your strength be established. While alone, thinking about the message of an advertising that says: Good thinking, good product, and as if in a trance, nay reverie if it can be so called, I begin to ponder over political issues of the past few months between the supporters of Hon Ladi Adebutu and Otunba Jimi Lawal, a major contestant for the gubernatorial race of The Gate Way State, Ogun State.

Upon critical observations and analysis, it is observed that when issues and areas of disagreement are subjected to rational thinking and logic, it will be easy to assess and evaluate correctly who between the two group is crying wolf where none exist and who is making so much noise of sound and fury that signify nothing.
Nay whose efforts amounts to chasing shadow or wild goose.

Borrowing from an Author and a Logician, it is said that “there were many examples of sayings and riddles that would call into play, the higher faculties of the brain” for reasonable analysis and soothing resolution. And in doing this, it is important to state that while the two group are at each other making claims and counter claims, our understanding of fallacy will help a lot to dissect and situate properly who is making wild, far fetched claims or honest and frank reflection of the issues involved.

Quoting an Author and Logician again, “A fallacy is a type of argument that may seem to be correct but which upon very close examination turns out not to be so. A fallacy is usually very persuasive and so appears very good and logical. Fallacies are errors in reasoning that we may fall into either because of carelessness or inattention, or because we want to trick others into accepting our position based on convictions that are not relevant to the issues at hand. Many patterns of reasoning that are obviously incorrect are often used to persuade people, many of who are fooled by their illegitimate appeal. This is because many people are not able to see the skeletal form of such arguments. An argument may be psychologically persuasive but may turn out a big error or fallacy.”

Therefore, we must be careful to sift facts from sentiments and use a clean lense to scrutinize the facts. Sentiments are poisonous to rational thinking. They becloud reasoning.

It is said that Otunba Jimi Lawal became member of the PDP few weeks to the party primaries. Whereas, he joined the party on the 4th of February, 2022 and having satisfied the laid down rules and laws of the party, like Hon Ladi Adebutu and as a privilege and right, he also obtained his nomination form to contest the party gubernatorial primary. Yet, against the rule of rational thinking and reasoning, the other group make so much noise about this as if Otunba Jimi Lawal has violated the rules or laws that may warrant disallowing him to aspire like others. Instead of proving otherwise, this group of rabble rousers is attacking the personality of Otunba Jimi Lawal.

Again, Otunba Jimi Lawal, popularly known as JAL is perceived as an intruder who has come to hijack and chase away the owner of the house in a party founded by rules and laws in which no one can claim exclusive ownership or unjust dominance over the rest of party members.

Conversely, Otunba Jimi Lawal’s entry into the party and his declaration is like a triumphal entry in which majority of party members and the Excos jubilate and congratulate one another. Upon his entry less than few weeks, his was like a clean breath of fresh air, nay an oasis in the desert for thirsty travellers.

Recalling the advert slogan of a Bank, now defunct, “when you have a name like ours, you live up to it.” One then wonders to the claim of a good house owner who is surprisingly deserted upon entry or visitation of a visitor. There is more to it than meet the eye. For these unusual blessings and acceptance from the PDP party members, Otunba Jimi Lawal has been abused, vilified and castigated.

Among all these ‘make belief’ and allegations is the latest alleging that Otunba Jimi Lawal doctored and forged the authentic Delegates’ list monitored by INEC. Curiously, this same list was not disputed when tendered at the Federal High Court’s trial of the case instituted by disenfranchised Delegates. However, upon judgement affirming and ruling that since no contrary views or position on the validly elected Delegates’ list, another primaries be conducted using the Delegates list, within 14 days, then the list suddenly became doctored. This no doubt is a puzzle or riddle that can easily be unravelled by one who is alert and discerning enough to see through the facade. A Kenya proverb says: A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning.

While this group kick and wantonly poke fingers in the eye of the judiciary through unguarded comments, actions and reactions, Otunba Jimi Lawal says he wants to be law abiding and wait for the final judgement of the court.

According to Archbishop Fulton J Sheen, the tragedy of our time is that those who believe in honesty lack fire and conviction, while those who believe in dishonesty are full of passionate conviction. What an irony!
He stated further that refusal to take sides on great moral issues is itself a decision. It is a silent acquiescence to evil.

The secret of being a bore is to say it all. However, the above will suffice while the general public, nay voters and all party members of the PDP in Ogun State eagerly await the final judgement of the court;

May I therefore conclude in this immortal words of Lord Dening that says: “Be you so high, the law is higher ” and will take its course.

Japhet Ogunniyi writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.