EDITORIAL: After The Declarations

That some twenty seven members of the APC are in the race to win the nomination of the party for the governorship election in September should not make anyone apprehensive, on the contrary, it is a celebration of democracy. Democracy itself rests on plurality of choices and a crowded field reflects a testimonial of faith in the democratic process, which means that constitutional government is deepening in our country

The stellar performance of the outgoing governor has certainly kindled interests in a job he has made glamorous. The path breaking social initiatives and fiscal balancing cannot but enthuse those who believe that the processes of government should benefit the majority and not just a few. It’s a beautiful morning for democracy in the State of Osun.

Our own position is unambiguous and will be constantly reiterated, there must be continuity of the pro – people, progressive policies of the current administration, any other consideration is subordinate to this objective. For, as it is often stated, continuity of progressive policies in Lagos State since 1999 has made and continues to be the trajectory for sustainable development in Lagos. It will be a tragic loss of focus not to emulate the Lagos example. Since there is no rational reason to disrupt a winning strategy, all those seeking the nomination of the APC must put continuity first and last.

This will call for great discipline as well as the key objective of putting the party first. Only one person will gain the nomination at the end of the day, all must remember that they desire the nomination of the party not for self – agrandisement but to further the progressive ideals of the party. All the aspirants must remember that modern political parties are established and operated on the basis of democratic centralism which represents the subordination of personal or factional interests to the overwhelming interests of the party as a whole. In the case of Osun, a lot is riding on the continuity objective. Posterity will be unforgiving if through acts of omission and commission the fortunes[the pun is intended] of the state is handed back to retrogressive forces who stultified the purposeful development of the state in the past and who, availed of another opportunity will plunder the resources of the state with the same reckless abandonment of the past.

As a party, the APC represents the cohesive position for good governance in the State of Osun. For this reason, they have a clear moral responsibility to ensure a rancour free succession process.

For the people themselves through the APC, there is everything at stake. As the philosopher, Plato pointed out centuries ago. “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools”. Sadly, as of today, Osun does not have anything remotely like a government-in-waiting. This is reprehensible for a democracy, but it places overwhelming responsibility on the APC and its aspirants for the highest office in the state to ensure continuity of good government.

We ask all contestants to play by the rules and put the interests of the party first.