Imagine Yayi Not In The Governorship Conversation 

TAYO OYEKANMI 

Unprepared students fear examination just as politically deficient office holders is ever fearful of facing electorates at the election. Back in secondary school days, you always experience some unexpected palpitations immediately exam timetable is out. Even in the University, you will lighten up immediately you hear about Exam postponement. But not so for academically inclined and prepared students. They are always ready like boys scout. Same goes for politicians. The best illustration that vividly captures this scenario and episode that happened in the 2015 electioneering period heralding the Presidential election. The election was initially scheduled for February 14 but put on hold for six weeks by President Jonathan’s PDP led government citing security concerns in the North Eastern part of the country. The election was eventually held between March 28th and 29th. But what the government of the day feared most happened to them. They lost. APC came to power and the rest is history.

Today in Ogun State, unprepared Politicians are in silent prayer as if election should tarry. In the same vein, they are even imagining the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi should not be in Governorship race. Their imagination will come to naught in due course. But this is the only way to explain the level of jitters in the spine of potential opposition each time they come to realization that Yayi might eventually indicate his intent on the Governorship. Good enough Yayi Governorship conversation is a melodious song across the State to the hearing of the majority of the people. Those who have not done well enough in their political tour of duty will always be jittery to face the electorates. The next option to be on the radar is create unnecessary strive, moudle up the polity by targeting performer like Yayi for immolation and mudslinging. But it won’t stick. Because the mentioning of Yayi in the Governorship conversation alone has regulated the political terrain in Ogun State. Imagine Yayi isn’t involved, all kinds of aspirants would have been on the prowl by now polluting the political turf. Do a quick historicism especially around 2011, 2019 and contextualise the political scenario of succession battle in the days of Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun. All kinds of aspirants were laying claims to the endorsement of both OGD and SIA. But for now, Yayi’s intending ambition is like a political regulator as every ambition is been properly weighed because of alignment of the people of Ogun State with Yayi. No one can even claim Presidency endorsement without meeting Yayi up there.

Imagine Yayi is not in the Governorship conversation, members of the opposition in the State would have been making the loudest noise about how they intend to develop Ogun West and in turn Ogun State to El Dorado. But the representation and performance of Yayi as a senator in every critical sector of the society has put paid to that. On health, drugs had been provided to the sicks just like eye glasses to those suffering from sight related issues after undergoing necessary tests. Intrastate roads have been giving facelift, Agriculture intervention are not been left out, youth empowerment is been taking as a necessity. Installation of solar lights under the operation light out Ogun is gathering momentum, inclusive hundreds of transformers across the State. Weeks ago, Yayi added another clincher; Text books were distributed in large volume to students across various schools in Ogun State. Of course, Yayi’s school infrastructure has been built particularly in Ogun West is unmatched historically. These are enough to send opposition back to drawing board to constantly check what would be their rating against a Yayi engagement. As such handling Yayi by any opposition will be a difficult task to be done because people are with him.

Imagine Yayi ever declining his intent in the Governorship project,it would be a missed opportunity for the people of Ogun State. Vision would have died. So is empathy. Those who would be down-casted will be in multitude compared to minute numbers that will feel the coast is clear for them. Of a fact, many will not be turning up for voting if Yayi isn’t involved. Apathy will set in and good governance will suffer setback. That’s the kind of attachment and hope induced atmosphere Yayi has created with the people. His involvement in the conversation is keeping the majority of the people calm and waiting with bated breath for when Yayi will heed the call and make his intention officially public. With Yayi on the Governorship ballot, possibility of highest vote return in the history of election in Ogun State is rife because of the deep affection people have with Yayi. Ogun people want to experience the replica of what has been going in Ogun West since the last two years plus.

Yayi Governorship is an idea that must happen because of what is in it for the people of Ogun State. It’s not vainglorious expedition. For a man who has been in the Legislature but with regular interface with the Executive Arm through oversight, gaining valuable insight into pros and coins of the process, hitting the ground running is a must for Yayi. As someone who’s mentally and fundamentally ready for the tasks ahead, being Chairman of Appropriation Committee in the Senate, allocation of resources to MDAs and how previous allocations were spent has been an everyday understanding. Yayi is conscious of the fact that the trademark of governance in a democracy is its regular consolidation. Also development happens under a leader’s watch particularly in governmental sector not just because of what you know but about your ability to attract intervention fund for your programs of action. Yayi network and experience at the national level affords him that platform to tap unto his already solid network on behalf of Ogun State. As such Yayi mounting the saddle is a blessing to Ogun not a liability.

Hypothetically, so long Aremo Segun Osoba, OGD, SIA and Gov Dapo Abiodun won’t be on the Governorship ballot, Yayi will be home and dry against any oppositional candidate. Good that all the aforementioned are currently of the progressive fold. I dare say, let Yayi Governorship conversation plays on, it’s soothing to the hearing.