By Dr Akeredolu O.N., a medical doctor, surgeon, and neurosurgeon in view
If Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s wife could be a senator for 12 years because her husband was the political leader in Lagos state. If the children of the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, and late Chief Adegbonmire could benefit from the current political dispensation because of their fathers’ pedigree and the narrative had to be changed on Pa Reuben Fasoranti, I think the old man has paid his dues for the state and Nigeria at large. Nobody should go and disturb the elderly man again, the heartless politicians should solve their problems by themselves
The Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu once said that Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the best president that Nigeria ever had while describing the great Yoruba sage after his demise in 1987. The question is this why would a man, I mean the Late Chief Ojukwu whose late Ikene-born politician pronounced as an irreconcilable enemy because of his antics to Chief Awolowo’s political adventures pen down such a great statement when the Late Chief Awolowo finally departed this sinful world? The problem of the duo dated back to the period of Nigerian civil war when the secessionists led by Lieutenant Col. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu were conquered by the Nigerian side on the advice of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who was the economic minister cum vice chairman of the supreme ruling council of Nigeria then. Regarding this, the late Awo became a sworn enemy of Ndigbo during his lifetime and his political party, Unity Party of Nigeria was unacceptable to the people of this region.
As much as the former Biafran warlord had a right to his view about Chief Awo a reasonable individual would ask him a question when did he discover that the former Yoruba leader would have done better than others who were privileged to rule Nigeria? It’s a confirmation of the hypocrisy in our system which might explain the backwardness in our continent with no obvious solution in sight. No doubt, Africa has everything to excel but it will take divine intervention for that to happen because of our attitude of insincerity and self-centredness. Many youths are leaving the continent in droves, trying to look for a green pasture, putting in view the number of years already wasted by the economic and political gridlock bedeviled the black continent.
The recent political scenario in Ondo state has taken another turn. The governorship primaries of the various political parties have come and gone, and the INEC has also released the list of the various candidates and their running mates. There’s no doubt that the son of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Pharm Kehinde Fasoranti had earlier shown interest. I personally took up the challenge and advocated for the family to be remembered in my little way. No reasonable individual can question my sincere intention about the state and utmost passion for fairness. It was clear that all my struggles for justice and fairness were devoid of personal gain, reward, or inducement if anyone doesn’t believe that I’m sure the current governor of Ondo state, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa is a living witness that during the darkest hours of his political career, I put my life in the line to preserve his seat for him without knowing him me or asking for an appointment in compensation even till today.
The elderly man, Pa Reuben Fasoranti OFR was in his house, along Fiwasaye Girls High School, Akure, when some of us called on him for intervention in the impeachment saga and threatened the current governor, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, then a deputy governor. The elderly man indeed invited some of us into a meeting, listened to our agitation, and called on the presidency for help and the cabals were dismantled. Before this period, his son who had earlier contested for House of Assembly in 2019, showed interest in the deputy governorship that should automatically come to Akure or Ondo central senatorial district in APC. I personally felt it would be a golden opportunity for the society and Ondo state to appreciate the selfless nature of this man, I mean Pa Reuben Fasoranti who had never betrayed the course of the Yoruba race at any time. He had been serving in various capacities, and when it was the turn of the people to serve him, he rejected the governorship slot given to him by the Alliance for Democracy in 1998.
The most painful thing is that anytime there is a problem, the first person they think of is Pa Reuben Fasoranti. The current President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, when he had a problem with the President, Muhammad Buhari GCFR between 2016 to 2019, came to Akure, had a meeting with this elderly man in a plan to leave APC for Buhari and his cabals. In the same vein, Asiwaju of Lagos State came twice to visit him for prayers before the presidential primary and general elections of 2023. It’s an open secret how this 98-year-old man was dragged to Abuja to ensure the current governor has his ticket. Also, he has been trying to intervene in the current court case by calling for a meeting with the Araba of Ikaleland, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim. If the man could not be honored with an ordinary deputy governorship slot, then why must the aged man be disturbed with affairs of the state or the nation at large?
I think the man deserves some rest at this stage, let the current political gladiators find another means of settling their issues. The man is contented and have served the nation with the fear of God which might explain why the terrible and dreaded Gen Buhari/Gen Tunde Idiagbon regime couldn’t do anything to him despite being the commissioner for finance for four years earlier under Pa Adekunle Ajasin as the governor. If I were any of his sons, I think these ingrate politicians should find another way of finding solutions to their problems, not through this man again, they should allow him to live his remaining days in peace, it is obvious they don’t love him but capitalizing on his good name and influence to have their ways.
Peoplesmind