By Shofoyeke Adeniyi SA
This is indeed a great time to be alive!
If the sequence of events that trailed the 2019 Gubernatorial elections were very important factors to be considered, pundits would never have predicted or perhaps given a chance of victory in the direction of the APC’s Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun. From that background, it was very, and clearly understood when Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun gave remarks that if men were God, he had zero chance on each of the sequence of events that finally amounted to victory for him.
Congratulations Your Excellency! Just one wish: May your days as Governor be full of successes that will outlive your government, and you.
Now that elections have come and gone, expectedly, a lot of things are going on. Fresh rounds of politicking; politics of appointments and the usual palace (cabinet) politics. Surely, in this period of wait, ahead of further announcements of appointees and portfolio, a lot of loyalists, party faithful, hustlers and even sycophants are on your trail and as well lobbying every human perceived to have your ears. Your Excellency, you sure know it is a time to exercise great caution! A time to tread softly while being full of wisdom and assuming the air of unpredictability. The importance of caution and restraint is to avoid the shenanigans of sycophants and schemers, who have all but nothing to offer, however will leave no stone unturned to get key appointment(s), portfolios and sundry perks of government. May the Lord guide you and help you do only that which is right and fair to all who laboured to ensure your resounding victory.
Your Excellency, the level of support you earned from the Ogun East Senatorial District, particularly the Remo corridor, is an affirmation that the people of Remo Kingdom identify with you as a true son of the soil, a genuine blue blood of Iperu Akesan, hence, the decision to vest you with the mandate, fate and future of all Remo sons and daughters, born and yet unborn. Like every other province of the state does, Remo relies on you, strongly, to help harness its economic potentials, social security and as well develop infrastructure as much as you can, while upholding the virtues of equity, justice and fairness as you go about performing similar enormous tasks that lie ahead round the Gateway state.
However, it is very germane, that a major concern be relayed to you, Sir; Sagamu LG Politics, in regard of the major divisions and political constituencies; Offin and Makun.
Without trying to play whatsoever card of zoning, it is important to bring to your notice, or remind you, that over the years, save for the Sagamu Constituency 1 seat of the Ogun State House of Assembly, and the recently domesticated Sagamu Local Government Chairmanship (after creation of Sagamu South and Sagamu West LCDAs), Sagamu Constituency 1, i.e Offin, has always been technically marginalized in terms and times of key appointments, and as well times when considerations are being made for adoption or selection of party faithful for sensitive positions in government. This is a very necessary bias to be urgently looked into.
Empirically, Sagamu Constituency 1 (Offin) has ten (10) wards, against Sagamu Constituency 2 (Makun)’s five (5) wards. Also, in terms of voting and voter strength, Sagamu Constituency 1 has a lot more voters than Sagamu Constituency 2, proven by successive elections, 1999 till date. However, it is always bemusing that when government is being formed after the polls, while Sagamu Constituency 2 (Makun) is often considered for key appointments over and again, same cannot be said about Sagamu Constituency 1 (Offin). We then worry and wonder where we might have been getting it wrong in Sagamu Constituency 1 (Offin). Interestingly, going by appointments you have made and announced thus far, same ugly trend is being followed. Your Excellency, kindly note that at this moment, in Makun State Constituency we have;
– Member Federal House of Representatives
– OGSG Commissioner Designate
– Special Adviser Secondary & Primary Education
– Member, Ogun State Judicial Commission .
For all of the above listed known to be in Sagamu Constituency 2 (Makun), there is no knowledge of a single appointment in Sagamu Constituency 1 (Offin) at the moment.
Going by facts of the March 9 election, the majority and totality of the votes of the 10 wards of Sagamu Constituency 1 proved that the people of Constituency 1 unanimously supported and voted Your Excellency, and as well voted your party, the APC in the House of Assembly polls. In addition, on comparative analysis, Offin has proven to be a lot more pro-APC, pro-DA than Makun over the years and in recent time. This is clearly proven and reflects in the results of the OGHA polls held same day as yours, Makun, despite enjoying benefits of having a ‘then serving’ Commissioner, Member-elect, Federal House of Reps, etc still found it difficult to win the OGHA seat for APC. Pray tell, shall it be safe and fair to assume that in your books, Sir, Offin in its entirety is just a vote generating constituency undeserving of political benefits and harvests? We hope so.
Thus, in optimism of avoidance of probable political misfortunes, we appeal to you to bear this seeming “undue” marginalization in mind as you make further considerations for appointments of people that will form your cabinet (and government by extension). We consider it due and necessary to have people in the cabinet/government who will represent the domestic and primary interests of Sagamu Constituency 1, that of the generality of Sagamu LG. It is politically expedient.
Your Excellency. It is also very important to note that this is neither a ploy nor plot by the people of Sagamu Constituency 1 to impose, recommend or nominate a certain person or people to you for appointment(s). Rather, this is borne out of the necessity of correcting the wrongs of previous administration(s) and as well creating leverage, politically and economically, for yourself and the good people of Sagamu Constituency 1.
Wishing you a very successful tenure, Your Excellency, as Dr Tai Solarin does wish every human; May your road be rough, may you end well. Happy New Year in advance!
Prince (Pharm) Shofoyeke ‘Niyi,
Sagamu, Ogun State.
