“It is lack of understanding of the universal mind therefore, and of the never failing efficacy of its working, that make people to fear others and device elaborate plans to destroy them”. ——-Obafemi Awolowo.
WHEN the news of the abduction of an Ondo State All Progressives Congress gubernatorial aspirant, Hon Victor Olabimtan about a month ago filtered into the town, the first thing that came to my mind was: This must be the handwork of his political enemies. Olabimtan was on January 11 kidnapped on his way to Abuja from Akure by men of the underworld who were dressed in both Police and Military Uniforms at a checkpoint in kwali. Olabimtan had two days before the ugly incident declared his intention to run for the Ondo State top job come November, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC when he addressed a group of journalists in his Akure residence.
Although he was later released, after spending three days in the den of his abductors (possibly after the family had parted with a ransom) but what the master minds of this unholy act stand to gain I cannot fathom out. Whether to intimidate him out of the race or down size his electioneering fund, the fact remains that
Olabimtan does not look an inch perturbed by the incidence. All these are not really the issue —- what informed my write-up is the coincidence of the date of his release (from the hands of his abductors) with the date he joined the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Victor Olabimtan who was a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP stalwart and director in the then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation in Ondo State had on January 13, 2015 along with five commissioners in Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration, eight local government chairmen and other chieftains that make up the numerical value 48, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. This mass defection which was widely publicized in the media seems to have sparked up uneasy feeling in the minds of other political gladiators in the state because they are aware of his political ambition. Olabimtan had in 2012 contested for governorship on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. However, he lost out to Chief Olusola Oke during the primaries.
It is no more news that the race to the Ondo State government House has begun, as the key players are already in serious search for who takes over from Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, whose administration cruises to an end come February 23, 2017 and a new governor – elect must emerge by November (If only INEC can conduct a conclusive election). At my last count, over 30 aspirants have shown interest to occupy the Alagbaka Government House. Although this figure is distributed among various political parties that registered their existence in the state, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party obviously have the larger shares.
Politics, or should I say election, is like the game of soccer— it is almost impossible to predict with all certainty but political analysts will always tell you within precision, the would be likely winner of an oncoming election. In the case of Ondo, the Sunshine State, political analysts have argued that the next governor of Ondo State should come from Akokoland, which is Ondo North Senatorial District. Their reason is that between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2003, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati ruled the state and hails from Akokoland. Dr. Olusegun Agagu who governed the state between May 20, 2003 and February 23, 2009 hails from the Ondo South Senatorial District, and the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko whose second tenure ends by February 23, 2017 hails from Ondo Central Senatorial District. So, by the unwritten rule of zoning, the next governor should come from Akokoland, come 2017.
Another determinant factor in this race besides zoning is the efficacy of the newly acquired political goldcard of the All Progressive Congress, APC. The All Progressive Congress had during the last presidential/governorship elections introduced the “change” mantra, which won both the sympathy and favour of the Nigerian populace. The party has now become a force to reckon with—- both at the states and federal levels. These two factors- zoning and the newly acquired fame of APC, have put a few aspirants at a vantage point.
Olabimtan, the Supare- born politician and philanthropist is a former speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and federal commissioner in the Federal Civic Service Commission (representing Ondo, Ekiti and Edo states), a grassroot democrat with rising political profile. Back in 1980-81, at the University of Lagos, Olabimtan held sway as the President of the Historical Society of Nigerian Students, and almost at the same time, the secretary of the National Association of Ondo State Students (UNILAG-chapter), as well as the secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) – Students Vanguard. He also served as the chairman, Teaching Service Commission of Ondo State during Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s short-lived second tenure.
Olabimtan demonstrated political awareness when he joined the All Progressive Congress, APC early 2015, as part of his move to contribute to the much needed positive change in the society. I just hope no one is afraid of this man.
Osemeha, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.
Olabimtan demonstrated political awareness when he joined the All Progressive Congress, APC early 2015, as part of his move to contribute to the much needed positive change in the society. I just hope no one is afraid of this man.
Osemeha, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.
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