Ipetu Ijesha is the giant of Oriade Local government area not being the capital is geographically immaterial but politically relevant . We have the population, the prominence ,the elites and the mother of all contacts of prominent indigenes that can apply the efficacy of necessary political wherewithal to remind Gboyega Oyetola led administration that the presence of at least one indigene in his administration is connecting enough to make our collective representation visible in this administration. The recent appointment of Special Assistant again with our exclusion, cement my perception on our political exclusivity within the map and ambit of this administration in all facets logical thinking.
One of the indices of relevance is by having your own face in the developmental faces of any administration. We have no legal representation in the court of political essential of Osun state. I make bold to say that of what relevance is our political face if there is no one who has the contact of the Governor, his confidence, his respect, his essence,his ears among others in considering any qualified son of the soil even for just one Special Assistant . The ruling party structure in Ipetu Ijesha and those who matters in the organs of our dear home town should sit down and have a round table discussion if possible pillow talk discussions on the absence of Ipetu Ijesha names in the political relevance register of Osun State in all ramifications. Late comer is even better than total absence.It shows they have no weight in the context of Osun state politics. Greed has sent us on errand!
Without any spirit of immodesty I moderated as master of Ceremony the opening ceremony of Access Bank in Ipetu Ijesha as well as IREE TOWNSHIP I will report the two incidences in juxtaposition. In Ipetu Ijesha opening ceremony of the Access bank in 2019 I saw prominence because the Group Managing Director of Access Bank,Wigwe was present at Ipetu Ijesha which was influenced and a rare privilege by one of our influential son of the soil .He flew helicopter to be present. This confirmed our substance in terms of contact but never in use to build political network around us. In the case of Iree township,political dignitaries peopled the atmosphere. The present commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs is from that place ,the commissioner for finance in Osun state among others were present and I moderated courtesy of Access bank privileged invitation..In the case of Apomu Branch ,the deputy Governor led so many dignitaries to the event because he is from there. This case study is just one out of several. The absence of political networking and relevance at the state level is a negation of social economic political engineering at grassroots mobilization and infrastructural development at home.When you are not part of budgeting and lobbying you cannot be fairly remembered, truth be told.
Firmly sensible , I have seen and still witnessing drama of struggle for power from sons of the soil on one position. Our attitudes to speak ,select and be on the same consensus page has always be a mirage for ages , if not an optical illusions.If we fight to finish and allow foreigner to be dictating for us in our home town that is the end of indigenous representation. I am in doubt of the loyalty of those who cannot speak my dialect to my political bond and future.We need to bury our differences and at least determine the base of our grassroots. Our determination of who governs at grassroots will serve as a preparatory ground for subsequent further elections of the son and daughters of the soil , be it gubernatorial, senatorial, house of representatives, assembly and presidential. Our home base will form a base for strategy and consolidation of confluence of ideas and tiwantiwa policy orientation and uninterrupted vision and mission statement..A house divided against itself is not politically calculating and commercially syllogistic.
It is imperative to note that, lack of wisdom of political foresight has led us to this exclusivity of cabinet representation. Our absence in Osun state cabinet needs a re think.Our leaders should commercialize the potency of contacts and positioning in placement and strategy .We must learn how to tactically know how to lobby.Lobbying has been democratically institutionalized as a means of getting result globally. In the spiritual realm all of us constantly bombard heavenly server with prayer for God attention and ratification. Globally, positioning in world power is not alien to politics.You must belong to have a sense of belonging in the sharing arrangement of what is available.. In the interim let us come together, bury differences and speak with one voice since we are not recognized at State house in Abeere Oshogbo ,choosing a competent and efficient soil of the soil not on sentiment to be our representative any level of intelligently strategic. Home ! Sweet Home! The Charity Of Ipetu Ijesha 2023 Agenda must begin at home and from us all.Therefore any reference to any state Governor or governance must have our positive and convincing scorecards of grassroots acceptance and inclusive governance by appointing sons and daughters of the soil. Any superficial accolades without this is ANTI IPETU IJESA AGENDA.
Yours sincerely,
Afolabi Akinola
Lagos State Chapter Chairman Nigerian American Group for Democratic Support NAGDS
He can be reached on 08034434757
