By Hammed Muritala
Last Friday, a comedy played out in Ibadan in the form of a declaration of a governorship ambition. The actors in the comedy included the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Barrister Sarafadeen Alli; Fuji musicians, including Saheed Osupa; and some chieftains of the APC.
While these individuals acted out the farcical episode staged to look like a grand entry of a colossal politician into the governorship race, the joke was actually on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Did anyone notice that the event, which was stage-managed to look like a grand reception for a coming political Messiah actually had a few people in attendance? Of the number in attendance, how many are truly members of the APC? I have the answers but I want the Presidency to do its independent investigation. That show was close to what the Americans would refer to as a shit-show.
To heighten the comic side to the gathering, Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa, who had been stylishly brought in so as to attract a crowd, played a prepared script, claiming that Sarafadeeen Alli represents the interest of Ibadan and that only an illegitimate son of Ibadan would refuse to follow him. “Omo Ale Ibadan ni o nii lo si ibi ti Olubadan nlo!” What a nonsensical statement? Well, I hope our highly revered monarch, Oba Senator Rashidi Ladoja, should have tasked his media handlers to, again, disclaim any involvement with politicians or political parties, as he once said that he is the father of all (or has he changed his mind and chosen to become only the father of Barrister Alli now?). Can we say that the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola spoke his mind and that of the Olubadan-in-Council on Friday, when he said the council members would have nothing to do with politics?
The funny side to what Osupa said was not the fact that he was undemocratic to say that Ibadan people cannot have different views or that he tried to drop the name of Oba Ladoja to justify the millions he got for his acting; the silliness came from saying anyone who does not go to where Olubadan is going is an illegitimate son/daughter of Ibadan. Abeg, has Olubadan told us where he is going? Is it lawful and right for the Olubadan to show interest in one candidate or political party when many Ibadan sons and daughters will be on the ballot? Did our father tell Osupa to tell us his mind? The answers to these questions are not far to seek; Olubadan does not and will never send an unserious element like Osupa, the apostle of double-speak, who insults Governor Seyi Makinde with one side of the mouth and then sing his praises to the high heavens with the other side of the mouth. Who can trust an Osupa that will adulate a miniature Oba and then pretend to be an Olubadan emissary just to ensure there’s food on his table?
I am also certain that Baba Olubadan, a veteran in politics before ascending the throne, knowing the delicate times we are in, with accusations and counter-accusations flying around over plot to remove him or impeach the governor, will never heat up the polity by siding with one aspirant when many Ibadan sons are in the governorship race across many parties. So, who is the real Omo Ale here? Saheed Osupa, take your sub!
In any case, everyone has seen the desperation with which those pushing the Sarafa Alli narrative have operated in the last few weeks. We have all seen how some few powerful but inordinately ambitious politicians in Abuja have packaged a Senator who has nothing tangible to show for his close to four years in the Senate. They have made him look like the best thing to ever happen to Oyo State, deceiving the president to give a look-in to someone who ordinarily should not be getting a return ticket to the Senate because of his non-performance. If the Presidency could be deceived easily; et tu Olubadan Ladoja? I doubt it. But with the desperation of the pro-Sarafa Alli cabal, one does not doubt that they programmed Osupa to deliver that line, thinking it would fly. No, it won’t! Ibadan Mesiogo; we will never be blackmailed by an onijekuje like Osupa or be cowed by faceless elements desperate to foist their family members and in-laws on our party!
In another twist to the funny tale, the Abuja cabal also packaged an award for Sarafa Alli through the Daily Independent Newspaper. By the way, we hope he was able to read the speech prepared for him fluently this time? Hehehe. That ‘agbelero’ or what boys would call ‘sakamanje’ award said Alli was the best legislator. E dakun, what parameters were used to arrive at that award? Alli, indeed, is the best legislator when it comes to erecting billboards to greet constituents for Sallah and greet Baba Olubadan. Other than that, the man’s time in the Senate has been nothing short of a disgrace. We know House of Representatives Members from Ibadan who outperformed Alli as a Senator. At least, I know that Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin facilitated the Nigeria Air Force base in Ajia and I also know that Hon Remi Oseni made lot of impact on our party members. Bros Sarafa should tell us what he did before the sudden interests from the ‘Okola’ NRS Chairman, whose real intention is to make sure his younger brother becomes “Deputy Governor” at all costs and the wife of the former Governor, who wants her son-in-law in the National Assembly.
We have watched the two shows; we have seen how desperate those trying to force Oba Senator Sarafa Alli on the APC and all we can say is that the charade will not succeed. In fact, this desperation can only achieve one result: make Governor Makinde’s successor to win Oyo State easily. Unfortunately for the APC, the governor has performed well and a lot of people including APC members will support his candidate to continue where Makinde stops. If that happens, it’s good luck to Oyo State residents but a bad omen for the APC.
What do I want? One, President Tinubu should shine his eyes and stop the Zaccheaus circus from sealing APC’s fate. There are better individuals in APC who can give Makinde a run for his money. Two, the Olubadan should speak up once and for all over this unholy link with the APC and Sarafa Alli before it rubbishes his era as Olubadan because, as the Yoruba say, Oba to je ti ilu to, oruko re o nii pare, oba to si je ti ilu tu, oruko re naa o nii pare…
•Muritala, a member of the APC, writes from Orogun, Ibadan.
