From APC To The Fire: Before You Cut Your Nose To Spite Your Face |By Sola Abegunde
I have been following developments around the supporters of some aggrieved Oyo All Progressives Congress, APC Gubernatorial Aspirants for some time now.
I heard of series of meetings held between these aggrieved supporters and the Governor Seyi Makinde/ Bimbo Adekambi Camps at home and abroad.
Someone told me that an aggrieved supporter met with the APM team and was demanding for a hundred million Naira and I remember telling the fellow that a hundred million Naira is a far cry from the five and ten thousand dollars which a High Chief of Ibadan said Makinde was offering defectors from the APC sometimes ago.
I have seen several videos of would be defectors who tried so hard to impress those who want to purchase their loyalty.
A particular instance is one very funny fellow who appeared on a podcast and was vibrating like a ragged milling machine. ” We will do this. We will do that. Senators would faint. Party chairman would weep ” and so on.
At last, the chickens are going home to roost and for me, when toxic people exit your system, the better for you.
Barring any last minute intervention, which I seriously doubt. Some of the supporters of a Gubernatorial Aspirant under the APC in Oyo state will be moving to the Allied People’s Movement, APM.
Personally, I am not surprised and I have no problems with them except that I have a foreboding to share with them before they jump from what they considered to be the frying pan in the APC to the fire in the APM.
I want to be placed on record because, after all the said and done, I would say I said so.
The only way their regrets might not be too much is if they are well paid enough to care of themselves while watching those who stood with the APC enjoying the fruits of their labor from 29th of May, 2027.
I say this because, head or tails, what will be will definitely be.
In their shoes, before I jump into a train driven by Governor Seyi Makinde and Seye Famojuro, I will look at the Captains of the train and those who traveled with them since 2019.
What are their experiences like when they were in the same train with Governor Seyi Makinde between 2019 till today.
I will look at Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan. Seyi Makinde’s erstwhile Deputy Governor.
What did Makinde promise him before he agreed to join his ticket as Deputy Governor in 2019?
Did Makinde not promised to run the state together with his erstwhile Deputy Governor?
What became of that promise?
Was he not impeached on a very ridiculous accusation of mismanaging the sum of 3m Naira?
Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, mismanaging 3m Naira?
If you know the Igboho born Engr turned politician, you would understand what I am saying.
I won’t stop there. I will look at Hon. Mrs. Mulikat Adeola Akande and the sacrifices she made for Makinde to become Governor in 2019.
Did Seyi Makinde not mocked the woman on Radio?
” Eni to maa daso fun ni, torun e laa wo”. When someone promised to buy you a cloth, check the clothes he is putting on.
That was the reward the woman got for her efforts. Insults!
I will not stop at Mrs. Adeola. I will look at the former Deputy Governor, Amb. Taofik Oladejo Arapaja.
Despite the long years of dedicated service, how did Governor Makinde pay him back?
He even withdrew security details from the former Deputy Governor!
I will look at former Senator Hosea Agboola ( Alleluya).
Where is the former Senator today?
Where is Royal Umbrella today, despite his contributions to the success story of Seyi Makinde?
The other time, I read that Baba, Elder Wole Oyelese has also left the Governor.
Now, let’s look at those who joined him from the APC recently.
When last did anyone hear anything from the Ibadan High Chief who said he is in charge of drawing people from the APC to the other side? ( Je nmu o fona).
Where is his son, who, I was told that he also expected to be anointed by the Governor as the gubernatorial candidate of the APM?
I was told that he was eventually offered a House of Representatives ticket which he rejected. Perhaps, out of shame.
What is the relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde and Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan today?
I remember warning him recently that if he got betrayed the second time, it would be a case of twice beaten.
I have been proven right.
How did Governor Makinde treat those who worked with him for seven years plus and who, he has been promising that they would be the ones to succeed him?
Did he and Seye Famojuro not bring Bimbo Adekambi from nowhere as his anointed successor?
What is the relationship between him and the Alaafin of Oyo now, in spite of whatever was between them before the Royal Father ascended the throne?
Where is Prince Diran Odeyemi today? Did the Governor not betray him?
What is the relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde and the former Governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose respectively?
So, how could anyone in his right frame of mind think that his or her own case would be different from those who had assisted Governor Seyi Makinde in the past?
If those fellows are joining him for the money, I would say, happy hunting.
I have said it times without number, Governor Seyi Makinde is incapable of sustaining relationships. Pure and simple.
In his calculations, only Seye Famojuro matters. That is the only human being I suppose he is incapable of betraying, for whatever reasons.
I should not forget the Okanlomo Odua and Gbonka Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Chief Dotun Sanusi.
Did he not assist Governor Makinde in 2019 and 2023?
Who is he supporting now?
I am also surprised that those fellows do not consider the interest of their Principal, except, perhaps, their Principal supports their movement to the APM and I will be surprised if that is the case.
I will be surprised because, I do not see any benefits that would fetch him except that it could affect him politically in the future.
A string of beads does not break and still remain complete. ( Ileke kii ja ko tun pe mo).
I must say this and this is my personal opinion which I agree might be wrong, but it would be very difficult for anyone to believe that those who have been holding meetings with Bimbo Adekambi and Seyi Makinde all these while, with a view to joining the APM could be doing what they were doing on their own.
The harrow heads of the plot are just too close to home, but, only God knows what we mortals don’t know.
I had an interview with my good brother Seun Akinola of Splash FM and the concluding part of the of that interview was aired last Sunday.
I was asked to comment about the aggrieved gubernatorial Aspirants and whether they would be ready to work with Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli.
As if I knew, I told Seun that, personally, I have been noticing a momentum building up in favor of the APC Gubernatorial candidate, Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli and that, in the end, his victory would not be decided on what so and so do, or did not do and that was not to say that everyone did not matter.
I came to such conclusion, which was also a personal opinion, because, as at that time, I knew some people were lost and beyond redemption.
For me, much more, the factors that would determine the 2027 Gubernatorial election in Oyo state are in the issues and narratives that will be prominent during the campaign period.
The electorates will be conscious about the question of Local Government Autonomy.
They will be conscious about the Circular Road crisis, the unresolved 30bn Bodija relief fund, they will be bothered about humanity, they will question the eyesore which the Broadcasting Corporations of Oyo state BCOS had become.
That is not the end of the story. They will remember who sold the BCOS quarters, the Trans- Amusements Park, Agodi Gardens, Oremeji, behind Onala, Ilu tuntun, Moniya, Eleyele Water reserve, Bode reserve, 700 hectares, Iseyin, Akinyele, Oke-Ogun government reserve, Eruwa Farm Settlement and Water Works and they would also not forget who is trying to sell the Veterinary Land at Saki and the Ogbomoso Farm Settlement, to mention but a few.
They will remember who unleashed Mukaila Auxiliary against innocent citizens of Oyo state.
So, how would a right thinking person consider voting for a candidate who definitely, will continue from where Governor Seyi Makinde stopped and is that not what Bimbo Adekambi is promising?
Like I said, I wish the travelers journey mercy on their voyage to perdition.
Sola Abegunde.