Truth Of The Matter: Defections Into The Oblivion

with

AYEKOOTO

ayoakinola444@gmail.com

“I commend the boldness of those that ran away from darkness onto light; but those from light onto darkness, I regret” anonymous.

The above sums up my opinion about the gale of defections taking place in our political stratosphere. Months before the last primaries and while his aids in the pen profession were in their worries for inability to read properly his “body language” on whom to support, the Oracle (used reservedly for the purpose of this submission) himself had predicted what we all see today. The aids had assembled in their usual conclave where they normally have minds rubbed on burning state issues and would later deliberate with him, the Oracle, to have him say his mind or shed further lights. On this particular occasion, the pen aids desperately wanted to be put into the inner thoughts of their principal, (the Oracle), concerning his favourite for the APC candidate in the oncoming gubernatorial election in the state.  On this particular occasion, the Oracle made no pretence as to the fact that the party would have the final say. He was unequivocal about the supremacy of the party. He further enlightened, accurately predicting though, that it is normal for people to feel aggrieved when the tide does not favour them and their aspirations; that people will be pacified but those who couldn’t be will inevitably leave. He told them that as an experienced politician himself who had tasted victory and suffered defeat at different times, you cannot stop those who have made up their minds to leave not to.

The somber atmosphere in the meeting court was palpable that a drop of the pin would have been heard.

At the time of making that statement, not many, probably including the Oracle himself, has given thought to ‘direct’ or ‘indirect’ primaries. I’m dead sure that many would believe that reference to “the party” means the decision makers or the top hierarchy of the party. How wrong. Today, we are now very well aware that “the Party” means every card-carrying member of the party. Sir, Ma, nothing could be more democratic. The ruling party has brought a new meaning to what we used to understand as “party”. Despite what some would want us believe, we now know that the direct primary is another name for true democratic choice of candidates by political parties.

The decision of the APC hierarchy to adopt the direct primary, which is novel, at the very last hour, was seen as a coup de grace by some of the prominent aspirants who had relied heavily on their pre-planned joker to clinch the ticket. Many said that the joker is money, but I don’t know. One thing for sure is that it was a death-blow too hard to survive and so, they had to jump ship to the other side, irrespective of whether that other side is hot or cold, deep or shallow water.

They said Isiaka is an import from Lagos, just like the incumbent Rauf, but I have only one prayer for them because there’s no family in Yorubaland which does not have a “representative” in Lagos. May your kinsman in Lagos return home one day to be denied his right based on his or her sojourn in Lagos.

They also said he has close affinity with a party leader. To this I also pray that their affinity to anyone that matters in the society be an impediment to achieving their aspiration.

They claim that the wealth of our state will be smuggled to Lagos. Let us look at it this way: How possible is it for a river to flow backward? Lagos has had a long history of good leadership coupled with the  advantages as a former federal capital city, a port city as well as an economic nerve centre all of which give her strong economic advantages which no other state could ever enjoy. Does it make sense to them that a river will ever steal water from a well? If anything, the reverse should have been the case.

For those who have decided to jump ship on account of not clinching the party ticket. Sorry, the decision not to give the ticket to you is not that of Buhari or Oshiomhole. Neither is it that of Tinubu, Aregbesola or Famoodun. It is the decision of that man you’ve neglected for so long, that woman whom you think isn’t that important. That elderly man you treat as ordinary number, even though he reverence you with your adopted epithet after your throwing at him and her some dirty naira notes which wouldn’t even buy him or her a loaf. You think his representative (delegate) will give you what you need? This time, foul!

That man or woman that decided your fate on the ….. of ….. is the “ordinary” card-carrying party-man and woman who trekked in the scorching sun and in the drizzles of the rains to queue to decide your fate. And his and her new name is “The Party”, according to the new APC, the true democratic party.