Like I once wrote, no Aborigine has the capacity to undermine, reduce or disregard the aspiration of party members. Unfortunately, this attempt to relegate aspirants to the background might conflict the party’s ethics hence the need to condemn this proposal before a floating political party becomes a sinking haven. This time, aspirants who are prejudiced have many options to either solidarize, or otherwise decide to jump ship. While respecting the decision of these veterans who are in their 70s, it is imperative to remind them the need to be less bias and apparently insensitive to other aspirants. There’s a lack of emotional intelligence in the needless decision to espouse illegality!
Consequently, the boat will either float or, sink with the hurried decision to place premium on a particular aspirant. The questions arising from this decision to eliminate some aspirants and kill dreams may inform resistance or, conflicting interests. You cannot kill the vision of another man by a shove of hand through a purported meeting organised by ardent loyalists of the same aspirant initially endorsed. Endorsement by whatever definition is earned! That the incumbent Governor has a monopoly of state force and finance does not confer superiority. The priority, however, lies with an overwhelming endorsement procedure with the party members whether through direct or, indirect scheme as provided for in the party Constitution and Electoral Act. That, the party has a window through which it selects a candidate and no group of persons under disguise or, purported guise is permitted to act contrary.
Therefore, it is important to remind these Aborigines that the good people of APC as well as other political parties only have such rights to decide through a fair process who becomes party candidate. It is unjust, unconscionable, insensitive and un-meritorous to decide through back who a candidate of a party is through unverified parameters and perhaps yardstick. In the viral video, I could see the former Ambassador, and time commissioner to the late Adefarati making announcement of an unfair or, prejudicial resolution to pick Mr. Lucky Ayiedatiwa who ordinarily as the incumbent Governor has the latitude to reconcile the party if he must emerge the Governor of Ondo State via APC.
It betrays justice to make such hurried announcement, placing the late Dr. Paul Akintelure as second and disregarding other aspirants as if they do not matter. My fair understanding of a sincere Aborigines, especially elders, is to have them convoc and dialogue with fairness, finesse, equity and justice. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Hence, the party at the National Level is hereby put on notice of a likely instance of extinction for obvious reasons of bias and Injustice in the manner other aspirants were treated to scorn and their aspiration uprooted from APC as a political party. The APC must immediately invoke it powers at the National Level to among other things initiate a rejoinder, appeal to other aspirants and seek ways to reunite the party. Otherwise, I smell and perceive doom. No one can become a party flagbearer except and unless through a reasonable, fair, just & honest process. While it is the right of people to support and identify with interests, it does not lie with any group of people such authority or, power to impose their choices. Let the people of APC Ondo State decide who the party’s flagbearer is as provided by the Constitution. These are statutory provisions consistent with the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution as amended. Any attempt or, attempted attempts to do otherwise will not only sink the party but also push APC to extinction in Ondo State.
In conclusion, I advised initially the need to facilitate a process that accommodate varying degrees of interests with overwhelming public opinions on each aspirants. That way, a better process is made accessible and acceptable to all party leaders and members. The All Progressive Congress both at the state and national must unanimously activate a machinery to salvage the party and many crisis. It is obvious that a conflict of interests have arisen from the previous decision and of course the most recent resolution of an acclaimed Aborigines. Rather than sounding seclusive, I will encourage this sect to embrace the immutable sloganeering of Gov. Mimiko, “room enough for all…”. Unfortunately, the idea of Aborigines further deepens the already existing crisis in APC Ondo State.
Let the APC nominate a committee to address the soaring crisis otherwise it will snowball into disaster. A crisis management system must check excesses and regulate attempt to usurp the party structure. Let the acclaimed Aborigines who had earlier played the card of endorsement be wary and circumspect in their decision. No one can emerge as Governor through imposition or, forceful process and procedure. It must be the will and wishes of the majority and not the whims and caprices of a few acclaimed Aborigines. Those who might want to profit from these process to get attention from the party leadership and President Tinubu may just continue to anticipate the call. We understand the politics of traction and attention, to among other expectations negotiate audience with the National leader of the party, and by God’s grace the incumbent president. We also know that Mr. Aiyedatiwa is more likely instrumental to this hurriedly misleading resolution that prejudices other aspirants, and perhaps asking them to go blazes. A better politician will instead seek ways to rob minds and reach out to other aspirants for a meeting of the mind. No doubt, politicians have so much to learn from H. E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq
Public Interest Advocate
