Ondo ‘Consolidates’ With Aketi

BY RAYMOND OISE-OGHAEDE

One of the most trending news in Nigeria at the moment is about the victory of the incumbent governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN and, the deputy governor-elect, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in the just concluded governorship election.

By this outcome, the governor has been handed another term of four (4) years to steer the ship of governance in the state. Be that as it may, it need be recalled that in my article “ONDO GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: DON`T DROP THE BALL”; I delved much on the need for the people to replicate the achievement of the electorate in Edo State, by ensuring that the election is devoid of violence and plethora of malpractices as was in the “days of old”; so that the outcome would be a reflection of the “WILL OF THE PEOPLE”.

I posited further that all what the people needed to do was to draw a “Scorecard” to assess the performances of the governor over the last four years to determine if he deserves another four years or not. Accordingly, this would enable them to make a choice whether to vote for him or to look up to another amongst the other candidates. Now that the election has been concluded; and, going by the results announced by INEC, the governor scored the majority number of valid votes and got the required one quarter of over two third of the local governments; it is safe to say that this represents the “will” of the majority electorates that participated in the process; and, therefore, taken to be sacrosanct.

The interpretation of the above is that, majority of the electorates were satisfied with what he has done so far; and, they decided to reward him with their votes (this is a confirmation that the people have the power to “HIRE” and “FIRE” any elected representative by the use of their votes).

Though, there were reports of misconducts/malpractices such as vote buying and pockets of violence in some parts of the state; the process could still be said to be a huge improvement over past exercises. As a result, I want to appeal to leaders of all political parties to desist from the old order where they always condemn and reject every election that does not favour their permutations. 

In democracy, there is probability to win some and lose some; thus, whenever you have strong objections; you are at liberty to challenge the process/results at the tribunal/courts to prove your case and seek redress. So, the position of this review is without prejudice to any pre-election suits and those that might still be instituted to challenge the outcome of the election since the burden will be on the plaintiffs/petitioners to prove their cases beyond reasonable doubt.

However, whatever be the outcomes; it would still not take away the fact that the people, to a very large extent, resiliently embraced the clarion call for the “EMERGING NEW NIGERIA” by their conducts before, during and after the exercise. Thus, I wish to use this medium to say “CONGRATULATIONS” to His Excellency, the governor and his deputy governor–elect for their victory at the polls. I also wish to commend other candidates for giving good accounts of themselves; it’s unfortunate that the electoral process only allows for one candidate to be elected for the position; therefore, you are enjoined to join hands with the governor to move the state forward.

It is very important at this juncture, to thank the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for playing the role of unbiased umpires as required by the law; the leadership and personnel of all security agencies also deserve accolades for their professional disposition to their assigned responsibilities throughout the duration of the exercise; kudos also goes to the independent observers for their consistency in ensuring that the umpires and electorates were kept on their feet; the international community also deserve commendations for showing keen interests and supports for our evolving new order; and, standing ovation goes the people of Ondo for their resoluteness and resolve to making their votes counts by toeing the line of honour rather than “DROPPING THE BALL”.

Also, it is worthy to mention that the President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari and the government deserve commendation for not deploying the so called “federal might” to influence/undermine the will of the electorate. Furthermore, appreciation also goes to members of the media and all other persons and institutions too numerous to mention, who contributed in one way or the other towards ensuring that the election was considerably free, fair and credible. It is also worthy of note to call out those who engaged in one form of malpractice/violence or the other to throw spanners in the wheel of progress; my advice for them is to desist from such acts forthwith; otherwise, the long arm of the law would catch up with them eventually  sooner than later.

At this juncture, it is very crucial to use this medium to call on the governor to see this new mandate as a challenge to do more for the people. You are to be the father and governor of the Ondo people; and, not just that of the APC or selected folks and cronies. You are to be magnanimous in the issue of governance; do not abandon or sideline any Local Government Area or Constituency because they did not vote for you; give them their rightly and deservedly dues/shares of the dividends of democracy.

You have shown during your first term that you are a “nobody’s stooge”; you are enjoined to keep it up. It will be beneficial for you and the state if you remain a man of honour to the good people of Ondo State without fear or favour. Be guided by the new slogan in town which says “No to godfatherism” by not trying to be one; or allowing yourself to be a “godson” to another in the choice of who gets what, when and how in the state; because, our politics is gradually moving away from that “undemocratic” and “people-unfriendly” style. There is no place for such in the Emerging New Nigeria; and, the people are not joking about eliminating it from our system.

Consequent upon the aforesaid, you will agree with me that we are gradually getting it right in our electoral process; and, it would be very important for all hands to be on deck to sustain the trend. Therefore, let’s spread this message of hope across every parts of the country to conscientise everyone about our resolve to taking our destinies in our own hands. The electorates have demonstrated that the power to “do and undo” as it relates to choosing their elected representatives at every levels of governance lies with them. Edo has set the pace; and, Ondo has consolidated; it is now incumbent on every states of the federation to buy-into this “new order” in subsequent elections..

“We should all join hands together to ensuring that we embrace the emerging new electoral process where the votes of the people will always count”

Thanks.

Raymond Oise-Oghaede writes from Suru-lere, Lagos State, Nigeria. He can be reached via raymondoise@yahoo.com