Olu Akaraogun
This is why it matters.
By now I expect Governor Rauf Aregbeola to have summoned his cabinet and ask whoever is interested in succeeding him as the governor of Osun State to resign his or her appointment to pursue their political aspirations.
As of today, it is an open fact that no less than three top members of Rauf’s cabinet are engaging in open campaign activities for the party’s July primaries election.
Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has never hidden his ambition to run for the governorship of the state. For over a year now, he has been engaging the party leaders on how he will win the ticket easily. He has even launched a campaign website: www.moshoodadeoti2018.com to promote his candidature to the world.
No one in Osun State is not oblivious of the aspiration of the current Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola. His campaign slogan “IreliOluwa” is as conspicuous as the northern stars. He has commenced aggressive consultation of the party leadership and rank and file across the state.
Ajibola Surajudeen, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice has also commenced aggressive engagement of party leaders and traditional rulers across the state. Sources close to the Osun State House informed that more people in Rauf’s cabinet may join the race as the jungle matures.
Ordinarily, these individual should have been gracious enough to resign their appointment to pursue their democratic right. But politicians are ungracious elements. They believe they can eat their cakes and still have it.
Eku kan ko le roro, ko so ile meji…This popular Yoruba adage aptly describes the contradiction of these individuals continued relevance in Rauf’s cabinet. They already have a project that is not only time consuming, but also capital intensive. There is no way they would be objective and just in their handling of the state’s functions again. Their aspirations would naturally become the most important variable in their pursuit of state matters henceforth.
What about the untoward partisanship they are already attracting towards the governor himself. Some of them are already claiming they are the anointed candidate of the power that be; even when the Governor has maintained a sealed lip on his preferred successor.
It is high time the governor salvage his credibility and allow these men to answer their fathers’ names. It is incumbent on Ogbeni to create a level-playing ground for all the aspirants in his party in his own interest. No one should be allowed the luxury of the state apparatus to market his candidature.
Olu Akaraogun writes from Iragbiji
