Like the Yoruba popular saying goes: “Bi won se n yo so, l’a n yo gbo” which translates to “There is nothing hidden under the sun”.
The above expressions clearly explain how some few desperate politicians in Odigbo Local Government met at the residence of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, in Ore, to perfect their selfish agenda, and how the details of the meeting became public knowledge even before the attendees left their respective seats.
It was during this anti-people meeting that these leaders received a sum of N500,000 each for adopting and supporting Mr. Lucky Iwagbemi as APC Odigbo Local Government Chairmanship candidate ahead of next year’s local government elections. A 25M monthly leaders welfare package expected to be drawn from the coffers of Odigbo Local Government was also signed by the leaders, subject to Lucky Iwagbemi’s emergence as the council boss. Over 30 individuals attended the meeting but those who are signatories to this evil plots include: Dr. Rotimi Wilson, Hon. Ifabiyi Tunji, Hon.Tunde Fasonu, Alhaji Osho, Alhaja Ahmed Rafat, as well as Hon. Ajani, and Hon. Olu Falolu who just decamped. We were reliably informed they did the same for those aspiring for Councillors.
The above group of leaders is what we describe as “Political Wolves” who do not care about the general wellbeing of the people of Odigbo Local Government. All they want to do is to promote their selfish interests to no end. These are leaders whose political values only exist on paper. We were told their major Abuja-based hidden sponsor has future aspiration which will not see the light of the day.
They are the same anti-people cabal that is permutating future elections and scheming a game that won’t fly. They have shared who becomes this and that, maligning anyone who is not in their camp. And if you must be in that camp, you must dine with the devil. The good thing is that they are mere mortals who do not have absolute control to determine what happens in the next minute.
Where were other leaders like Alhaji Ismaila Olurimisi, Pastor Felix Olatunde, Rt. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji, Hon. Yetunde Adeyanju, Dr. Tunji Rhema Moyero, Hon. Bolodeoku Michael, Hon. Oluborode Olakunle, Mrs Margaret Akinsuroju a.k.a Mama You Do Well, Dr. Akingbola, Comr. Ademola Odudu etc. Why were these other leaders who contributed to the success of the party in the last Governorship Elections left out of the meeting.
Though the choice of Lucky Iwagbemi is quite ridiculous but understandable, given that these leaders would rather support a puppet who is always willing to do their bidding, than a firm, credible person who will not compromise his principles. What has been the political antecedents and contributions of Lucky Iwagbemi in Odigbo Local Government in the last three years. Such gathering is best described as emergency cult meeting to select and induct a new member and not a reflection of Odigbo Local Government APC Stakeholders meeting. Even the entire Royal Fathers and LCDA Chairmen are against this devilish arrangement.
The implications of the meeting held by these politicians is that they want their political lackey as Odigbo APC Chairmanship candidate in the local government elections coming up next year, ahead of the incumbent Odigbo Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye, who is a credible, tested, and trusted administrator. His impressive performance since assuming office has given the people hope and revive their confidence in good governance. And if the leaders do not want him for any selfish reason, there other worthy aspirants who were part of Aiyedatiwa’s struggle from the onset.
To be candid, Adegoroye has earned the right to continue as Chairman beyond 2025. He understands his responsibilities and he has really hit the ground running within this short period of time. The people are happy with his performance and believe he is going to do more if he becomes the chairman in full capacity. These are the voices on the streets of Odigbo Local Government.
While it’s important to work together and sustain the progress of our party at all levels, it’s also important to expose the undemocratic tendencies of a few individuals whose actions threaten to undermine the collective efforts and unity of the party.
This piece seeks to beam the searchlight on the character of these emergency Afobajes in Odigbo Local Government. It’s a fact that most of these leaders who are now engaging in a rat race in their futile bid to foist their stooge as Chairman of Odigbo Local Government were compelled by the hands of fate that installed Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. They are people who never believed and supported the Governor like Adegoroye and a few others. They only started shouting “Odatiwa Odirorun” after the APC governorship primary when the name has become fashionable.
At that point, there was only one convenient choice before them: join the ‘Lucky Train’ or risk being rendered politically irrelevant. So they simply chose to do the former while still nursing some sinister ambitions.
We must not forget the roles played by these leaders before Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa became the substantive Governor of Ondo State; how the two lawmakers from Odigbo Local Government collected 10M and signed the failed impeachment attempt on Mr. Governor. The public must also be reminded how a commissioner from the local government was holding series of secret meetings to mobilize support for the governmentship ambition of a former federal lawmaker while serving under the late Aketi, and how he quietly pitched his tent with the incumbent Governor after the exit of Aketi. Today, they claim they are loyal to Mr Governor, chanting “ma baja, ma ba binu” and doing everything possible to kill any Odatiwa’s ambition threatening theirs. Loyalty is best tested in the heat of challenges. They all failed.
Soon, we will expose the corrupt practices of one of them in government who is buying properties all over the state with stolen funds. We have the records.
But there were those who believed, supported, and stood strong for the Odatiwa course right from the start to this moment at a great personal sacrifice, and one of such people is Hon. Taiwo Adegoroye. Those who lost out cannot be sincere enough and should stop dictating to us the course of governance in the Local government and State.
I want to appeal to Mr. Governor to be wary of these politicians who come to advise and present candidates before him. Yes, the Governor as the leader of the party must listen to everyone but there is need to be conscious of where everybody belong, and their roles before the APC primary.
The golden question is this: what would have become the fate of many who are staunch supporter of Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Odigbo Local Government if he had not won the primary or impeached as Deputy Governor? Some people would have gone into exile or quit local politics at least for the next 4 years. Just because of fairness and inclusion as being preached by Mr Governor, they want to steal the only pot of soup meant for the masses.
Signed
The voice of Odigbo Local Government for Good Governance.
