The All Progressives Congress, APC primary elections have come and gone. The entire process was punctuated by interplays of intrigues, calculations, negotiations, power play, claims and counterclaims of victory, compromises, subtle and actual threats and sundry whims and caprices.
The Party in Ekiti State had a more robust process as most of the Candidates emerged through consensus arrangements while a few went by direct primaries as stipulated by the electoral law.
Interestingly, the primaries threw up the question of who had political influence and control more than the others in various political locations.
This write up is not intended to stir up any political hornest nest or smear the credibility of the results as announced by the Party with particular reference to the House of Representatives primary in Ikole/Oye, Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1.
It is meant to highlight the power play in Ikole Local Government Area.
I have watched and listened to how different individuals and groups have laid claims to the leadership and control of Ikole politics.
My position is an independent assessment of the situation. I don't belong to any group or follow anyone.
But, self proclamation, self adulation, veiled taunts and reactions got me to dig into the matter.
I read a piece written by one of the supporters of a contending group opposed to Abejide Political Dynasty. He said, "Leadership is not about age but about capacity, cognition, connection...." This, I think, was a veiled reference to Hon. Alaba Abejide who was assumed to have lost out of the power game.
I found this amusing considering the fact that the said contending group seemed to have orchestrated a carefully planned endorsement event to hoodwink party members to support their preferred aspirant, and with an intent, seemingly to disgrace Abejide. They gave themselves a pat on the back for a great job well executed.
On the other hand, less than 12 hours to the primary election and amidst the confusion engendered by the said endorsement, Abejide was said to have directed his supporters to vote for the other aspirant.
According to reports, Bimbo Daramola won in 7 Wards out of 11, that is Wards 2,3,6,7,9,11and 12 with the support of Abejide Political Dynasty, while Ward 10 was said to have been won by Bimbo before the process was disrupted and the result cancelled leaving only Wards 1,4,5 and 8.
The contention here and what interests me most is that, with the earlier endorsement and the threats that was said had followed, the incumbent Honourable should have won massively in Ikole.
Alas, the table turned as a result of the decision made by the Abejide's camp. The decision threw the contest to a stalemate. The outcome of the primary was inconclusive and had to be resolved at the national level.
The rest is history.
To me, this goes to show that the scale of political influence and control in Ikole tilts towards Abejide's group.
My opinion is that, regardless of whatever anyone thinks, whoever underrated or underestimates the political relevance of Abejide and his group in Ikole does so at his or her own peril.
My observation has been that age comes with so much requisite experience and indispensable contacts. These have played out in the case of Abejide. He has learned the ropes, paid his dues, and sacrificed so much for the growth and stability of the Progressive Party.
To him, it seems leadership is ultimately about sacrifice and discipline. This, I believe, has helped him to build up a network of formidable followers and connect deeply with the grassroots.
The criterion of primacy and greatness, and by extension, leadership, is not domination, authority or grandstanding but service.
Adewale Olaiya.
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