It was in 1992. My selection as a member of the ward Executive of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) in Aborerin ward 4 was just ratified by the ward Executive.
My selection was made possible by my first mentor in politics, Mr. Jacob Adelakun, the ward secretary at the time.
Those were times when politics was politics.
The Party was supreme in all sense of the word.
The organisational structures of the two registered political parties, the SDP and the National Republican Convention, (NRC) were well defined.
The Military Government of Gen. Aliyu Badamosi Babangida built Party offices in all the states of the Federation and the 774 Local Governments.
Both political parties had offices in all the wards!
The Military Government also gave 504 station wagon cars to all the Party Chairmen of both political parties across the 774 Local Governments.
The mode of election for both primaries and general election was the option A4 also known as the open ballot system.
It was a system devoid of manipulations.
After accreditation, voters would cue behind the candidates of their choice and the votes would be counted and recorded immediately in the presence of all.
The system is arguably the best ever adopted by any Electoral umpire so far.
In the build up to the primaries before the 1993 general election, Mr. Jacob Adelakun was the defacto Mr. Fix it in my Ward.
There were three Aspirants contesting the primaries for the House of Representatives for Ibarapa East at the time. Mr. Siji Oyinlola, late Mr. Esuola of New Eruwa and Barr. Adegboye Gbolagunte.
I must say each Local Government elected a Rep at that time.
One of the contestants, a young Lawyer, son of the first Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Chief Davidson Mokolade Gbolagunte was from my Ward.
At the time, the Chairman of the Local Government, now late, Hon. Gabriel Adediran had a soft spot for Mr. Siji Oyinlola from Ward 3, but myself and my mentor chose to stand by the candidate that came from our Ward in Aborerin.
It will be interesting to note that the Council Chairman was an Elder brother to Mr. Jacob Adelakun. Mr. Adelakun’s father was from Ile Oloro in Aborerin, while, the mother of the Chairman was also from the same Ile Oloro. The chairman was also my in-law, married to my Aunt, Nee Abegunde but we stood our grounds. We worked assiduously and canvassed for Gboye Gbolagunte whom I fondly called ” broda” till today.
On the day of the primary, we were at the verge of victory when suddenly, a battalion of bees besieged the venue for the primary and the process was brought to an abrupt end.
We later learned that some people deliberately dispersed the bees from where they were when it was apparent that Barr. Gbolagunte had won.
I must admit that one of disadvantages of the open ballot system is the fact that the winners and losers readily know the outcome and a sore loser could trauncate the system.
The primary was rescheduled for a few days later but the Council Chairman brought the full weight of the power of office to bear and we narrowly lost the primary election to Mr, now Hon
Siji Oyinlola who went ahead to defeat the NRC candidate in the general election. The Chairman ensured that Mr. Esuola withdrew from the race and his delegates were merged with that of Mr. Oyinlola.
That event served as the divine moment my path would cross with Barr. Adegboye Gbolagunte.
A bond was forged thereafter and we became more of a blood relation. He was a brother from another mother.
He facilitated my admission to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos where he was lecturing part time at the time. I lived with him at No. 19, Tafawa Balewa Crescent, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, Lagos and I must say, that I practically chased him out of his bedroom at Gbolagunte house in Eruwa at the time.
He had to relocate upstairs to join Mama while I occupied his apartment downstairs.
In Lagos , he had to later arranged a place for me at Olowoora, as a result of the distance between Surulere and the school in Ikeja and owing to the fact that he wasn’t having lectures every day of the week.
Any time he couldn’t take me to school as a result of his Law practice, I used to face a hectic time to and from Surulere to Ikeja.
Our lives was filled with adventures and I had opportunity of traveling far and wide, first, through him.
I can say without mincing words that I might not have the privilege of going to the Higher Institutions without his intervention.
We went through thick and thin in politics and our private lives.
As I write this piece, I do so in pain. In pain, because, that man, who, to the glory of Almighty God , rose to eventually become a Judge of the Oyo state High Court is no more.
He died this morning, 24th of June, 2024.
I got wind of his sickness last year.
Within the period, we had two meetings. Both times ,in his Chambers at the state High court at Ring road. The first instance, I could not hold back my tears because of his physical outlook.
I was alarmed because it wasn’t long that we met. If not for the electioneering at the time, there was no way we would not see in two weeks.
I knew we were facing a terrible situation but I kept telling him that we had to be strong in prayers and in faith, believing in the benevolence of the Almighty God who could do all things.
The other time, I saw that the situation was dicey. I prayed. I cried many times.
Any time my phone rang in the morning, I will jump up in fears.
Yet, I kept hoping. Believing in God for miracles.
Any time I called and he didn’t pick, I will press the panic button but he will always call to say he was at the hospital.
I spoke with one of my Aburos on Sunday and we emphasized the need to keep praying for him but while praying on Sunday night, there was a sign which I didn’t countenance until this morning when the worst happened.
” Broda” is gone!
It is one of the most painful news I have received in my life.
In my pain, I still give glory to God Almighty for your life.
No matter what, He reigns.
Throughout the storm, your words of assurances were ” He reigns” and I believe He does.
Good night Ayinla!
So so painful to say good night ” booda Gboye”.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
