” By Sufuyan Ojeifo“
Ojo ola Oyo”, transliterated as thefuture of Oyo state, is an inspirational
electioneering theme, whichencapsulates the spirit that propels the 2019
governorship aspiration of aseasoned journalist, businessman and
politician, Alhaji Kehinde Isiaka Olaosebikanon the platform of the All
Progressives Congress (APC). It is a much deeperconcept that calls
attention of every indigene of Oyo state to the imperativeof development
of infrastructure, institutions and human capital for thebenefit of the
collectivity that the state typifies.The concept isan essential summation
of the commitment to take back Oyo state from theprivileged power elite of
the political hue, which has solely controlled themechanics of governance
over the years, and put it directly in the hands of thepeople.
Olaosebikan encourages thepeople to be involved in the process that
produces their governor. There is therefore a unique sense in which hehas
decided to mainstream all the indigenes in the collective decision on
whobecomes governor in 2019.That uniquesense is informed by his conscious
effort to galvanise popular support for therealisation of his aspiration
that approximates the promise and assurance ofdevelopment. The sincere
expectation is that the idea will enjoy the buy-in ofeverybody. Surely,
the philosophy ofcollective ownership of Oyo state together with its
destiny is intended toresonate perfectly with the people as a first step
in the journey to freedom;whereas, the pragmaticality of the movement is
remitted to those between theages of 18 and
above.Significantly,Olaosebikan’s clarion calls to members of this age
bracket to participate inthe development and politics of their areas are
indicative of his resolve toprovide leadership in harnessing the
possibilities of collective action towardsdevelopment that abound in the
state. The involvement of the youth populationsis of the essence, and it
is, in fact, the core of the electioneering theme.The fundamental strategy
is to get the youth populations to engage with and ownthe issues of
development and the processes that are geared towards giving thebest to
Oyo state today and for a better tomorrow. Since theentire political
enterprise is about a greater future for the state, the youthpopulations
who are leaders of tomorrow are thus primed to buy into it. This isthe
allure of the spirit of “ojo ola Oyo”. Its magnitude is more than the
Olaosebikan persona that propels it.Olaosebikan is just an agent that has
saddled himself with the responsibilityof offering a different approach to
development that is underscored andunderpinned by populism rather than
elitism. The governorshipcandidature of Olaosebikan thus represents a
breath of fresh air that inspiresall and sundry to commit to a governance
process that will harness the abundantdevelopment potentialities in Oyo
presently for the greatness of the state. In fact, students in Senior
Secondary Schoolsand tertiary institutions across the state are prepared
to key into the concept and are enjoined tolaunch it in their respective
schools as part of the statewide momentum for theactualisation of the
collective vision of development. It is a clear departurefrom the mundane
slogans and rhetoric of the past. Olaosebikan has blazed thetrail by his
audaciousness to mobilise the people against existing tendency bypolitical
leaders to use the people to get to power and once in the saddle turntheir
backs on them in a brazen betrayal of the social contract which hadalways
been couched in clauses that put the people and their interests at agreat
disadvantage. One of theultimate objectives is to ensure that power is not
donated, pro-bono, topolitical leaders without the imposition of
commensurate burden of responsibilityand accountability. Therefore, it is
significant that the people become consciousstakeholders and determiners
of the character and direction of government andgovernance since a people
would always get the kind of government they desireand deserve. Besides
the personalpolitical gains that Olaosebikan stands to harvest through the
instrumentality ofthe “ojo ola Oyo” electioneeringtheme once it gets the
people’s buy-in and becomes the moving spirit of apeople in quest of the
much-needed development, is the potential for it toapproximate an
institution of sorts that will be indicative and representative ofa
developmental and transformational template for future governments
andgovernance in the state. It is instructivethat Olaosebikan had chosen
to unveil the electioneering theme at the NewGarage under Oluyole Local
Government Area of Ibadan as he had once been in thesaddle as Caretaker
Chairman of the council. This makes it easier for thepeople in the area to
connect his persona and antecedents in office with thetheme and the
magnitude of its offerings. This, indeed, provides the basis forthe people
to magisterially propagate the message to other local governmentareas in
the state.Now that thestake has been raised in the direction of pursuing
governance differently, allindigenes of Oyo state must up their antes
whether as candidates or voters tokeep fidelity to the commitment to
ensure that a leadership that benefits fromthe people’s consensus emerges
and takes charge of the journey to thedestination of greater Oyo. The
collectivedevelopment of the state must remain an article of faith. This
is the crux of Olaosebikan’sgovernorship enterprise. To be sure,
workingin concert with the people and deploying his background as a
journalist, he ispoised to fittingly write and, where and when necessary,
rewrite thedevelopment narrative of Oyo state for satisfactory public
appreciation and forposterity, if given the chance to serve in the office
of governor.
– Ojeifo, anAbuja-based journalist, writes this piece via
ojwonderngr@yahoo.com