Between 1960 and May, 1962, the Action Group, AG, led by the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo was engulfed in a fierce Intra Party scuffles which threatened Its foundations.
A battle of supremacy and control between the Leader of the Party, Awolowo who was at the material time Leader of opposition of the Nigerian parliament and Akintola, Deputy Leader and premier of the Western Region had snowballed into a matter of National discourse.
What started as an issue between two leading individuals within the Party eventually led to, not only the death of the Party but also the end of Democratic Governance at that time.
Intra Party scuffles is a wind that blows no one any good.
It is unfortunate that today, Seyi Makinde, a Governor, whose tenure should effectively end on 29th May, 2023 still occupies the office of Governor of Oyo State, not because he did enough to retain the office but just because, some individuals within the APC, the opposition Party immediately poised to take the seat from him for selfish reasons, decided to play the spoilers.
The unfortunate roles played by some “Leaders and stakeholders” of the Oyo APC during the last Gubernatorial election leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
In every human endeavors where a contest is required, a spirit of sportsmanship is a necessary ingredient for participants.
If everyone who goes into a contest goes with only the intent to win, that is no longer a contest, it is a war.
Unfortunately, most of those who contested for tickets to contest for positions on the platform of the APC during the 2023 general election approached the contest with the mindsets of a war and the result is the unexpected loss of the Governorship election.
I have been in politics for some time. I have never, in my years in politics seen a situation where “stakeholders and Leaders” of a political party will go on live Radio to run the candidates of their party and by implications, their party down the way some characters within the Oyo APC did during the last election.
I have listened to the reasons given by this individuals to justify their actions on different platforms.
I, with due respect, consider the excuses as lame, standing reason on Its head and afterthoughts.
The one I found most unfortunate is the claim about the Primaries and control of the Party.
Like Jesus Christ challenged those who attempted to stone a woman accused of adultery to death, Jesus had asked anyone who have not committed similar sin to cast the first stone.
Which amongst them didn’t plan to outplay each other?
Will the tickets not be won by a single aspirant per ticket in the end?
Yes. I agree, there were issues. In politics, there are always issues.
No issue, however should be serious enough to warrant for a Party man to publicly campaign against his Party.
What baffles me most is that, at the time when this individuals are supposed to be sober and remorseful because of the pains and heartaches their ill-advised actions have caused to thousands of innocent, committed and hard-working members of the Party, they still have the audacity to be going to Abuja to cut corners at the expense of hapless but committed Party faithfuls. Haba!
It seems they have failed to realize the enormity of the consequences of their actions on the Party.
If they had not pulled the house down, as we speak, we would have a Governor, Deputy Governor, elected House of Assembly members, a Speaker, Deputy Speaker, awaiting SSG, COS, commissioners, SAs, aspiring Board Chairmen, members and many more.
That is what we have been deprived because of vendetta.
Yes, I know most of them brags about their close affinities with the President and they felt they will rely on such to get what they want.
That may be true. However, the President, I’m sure will also listen to his conscience and ultimately to his creator before taking vital decisions.
There is a saying in Yoruba parlance, “..bi ile ba ngbe osika ti o gbe olooto, oore a maa su eni to nse” literally meaning that if the land rewards the evil ones to the detriment of the honest, the honest gets tired of being honest.
In this circumstance, the President must not reward betrayals.
SOLA ABEGUNDE
