OPINION: Oladele ADEDAYO
The battle for tickets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the available elective positions in 2018/2019 general elections have begun, albeit secretly in Osun State, with camps that will work towards realization of the ambitions of aspiring politicians from the party springing up.
Although posters of only aspiring politicians for the governorship slot from the party fold are seen in strategic places in Osogbo the state capital and other strategic places, several of those with intention to contest other posts and some of who are currently holding positions either in the state cabinet or at the party level seem to be trying to carefully read the mind of Governor Aregbesola before indicating their interest.
This, according to a senior member of the state cabinet who spoke in anonymity, was important to know whether Mr. Governor will be favourably disposed to their ambition to contest or would prefer them to join him in ensuring the success of his regime.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senator John Shagaya is dead, read what kills him
Like many political appointees of Aregbesola, the majority of who are interested in representing their respective constituencies at the state or National Assembly, many of his associates may have also begun tacit preparations for an epic battle to wrestle tickets from some serving federal parliament members.
Long before now, some serving national assembly members from the state had been in all kinds of squabbles with some members of the cabinet and other ruling APC members, who had not spared them over their perceived aloofness from activities within the party.
But it is to the credit of Governor Aregbesola, who is the leader of APC in the state, for containing effectively the brewing discontent between party leaders and National Assembly members thus ensuring that the ruling party fielded reasonable percentage of the ranking members in the last election. It was a best move that produced the current Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Whip of the Senate. In his tactical and sensible move, the approach was extremely needed for the upcoming governorship contest as a united front.
However, having all worked tirelessly to ensure Aregbesola end his term with laudable records, the attention appears to have shifted to who gets what as scheming hit high gear in preparation for the current upcoming governorship election.
READ ALSO: Who is a man of God? Pastor arrested for armed robbery in Lagos
At the moment, all representatives in the nine federal constituencies with exception of two in the House of Representatives won by the PDP and one in the senate, Sen Ademola Adeleke are all APC members. As at the time of filing this report, only one or two of them had officially declared intention to vie for the governorship office come September 2018.
But even at that, the handwritings on the wall are clear enough that all the NASS members from the state are disposed to retaining their present offices beyond 2019 elections. Also, a new set of power brokers that had all along been waiting in the wings, each of them overhauling their structure and set to struggle it with all these big players in the politics of the state, these among others are also rearing for better deal within APC even as the state is preparing for the coming general election.
The course of some present members of the national assembly from the state is also not helped by the perceived poor followership or their lack of popularity in their respective constituencies. This development is being fully exposed and exploited by those eyeing their positions.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Merciless Fulani herdsmen ambush in Benue again! Read what they did to our police
There have been insinuations that Governor Aregbesola may again be favourably disposed to allowing all federal lawmakers from the state another term because of their support for his administration. He is also known to be an ardent believer that experience matters in legislative arms of government.
This however is being countered by the fact that, since some current parliamentarians are already serving their second term, with exception of three constituencies namely Ife, Ede and Oriade, aides of the governor and other party ambitious person may have to be allowed, a level playing ground needed to be created for them to pursue their dreams without hindrance on the platform of the party.
Among the three legislators representing the state in the Senate and house of Representatives currently, only Senator Christopher Babajide Omoworare, from Osun East Senatorial District and Rt Hon Lasun Yussuff from Osun central senatorial district have declared their intentions to contest for governorship, thus it appears safe for people to start gunning to replace them in those Constituencies.
It is not likely that the state and indeed the leadership of the party would be disposed to fielding all new comers going by the known advantages derived by the likes of Rt Honorable Lasun Yussuff who by his opportunity of being a ranking member contested and won the seat of Deputy Speaker and was able to facilitate at least five mega schools of 32 classrooms each and five sets of maternity hospitals for his Constituency only because he was re-elected. This has become an eye opener for almost all the communities to think ahead of 2019 to present a ranking person as their representative.
Conclusively, to win the 2018/19 election in Osun State, APC needs to field a popular and credible candidate for the forthcoming election in other not to allow repetition of what transpired during Osun West bye election. Harmonization of aspirants will not only help in winning but speed up the chances of emergence.
Oladele Adedayo is a member of the APC in ward 3, Osogbo Local Government Area.
www.sojworld.com © January 11, 2018
Leave a Reply