Mimiko: Vox Populi!
Mimiko: Vox Populi!
The much awaited Ondo gubernatorial election has come and gone. No election has gathered so much public attention, in recent times, as the October 20, 2012 poll in Ondo State. Governor Mimiko fought the political battle of his life just to prove a point to the unprecedented fierce opposition that the bond of citizens and the government is eternally glued by good governance and God’s favour. On the other hand, Action Congress of Nigeria, pretended to be a serious contender for the Alagbaka job to further its phantom integration of the region under the Asiwaju of Lagos. In a similar vein, the PDP stopped at nothing to register its presence in this politically dynamic State, where it once held sway. At the end of the elections, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the great Iroko and 'Ota ibayomi Olorun ni o je' of Nigeria Politics recorded an impressive landslide victory in an election which Nigerians and observers had adjudged the most credible in the annals of Nigeria. ACN with all its ‘shakara’ came a very distant third, far behind the PDP as predicted by some of us and our revered leader – the Iroko.
While I was a guest at the NTA International ‘Ondo Decides’ Studios during the course of the election, I made it clear that the Ondo people are a highly politically sophisticated breed that cherishes the sanctity of the ballot box and that despite the harassment, insults cum provocation of those who boasted about their capacity to ‘capture’ Ondo State at all costs; the people will turn out massively to vote for performance, credibility, good governance, forthrightness, reliability, doggedness and quality transformative leadership as encapsulated in the person of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
On NTA International, I enumerated some variables that will determine who wins the election in line with my usual advocacy that Dr Segun Mimiko deserves a second term. Indeed, the variables came to high reckoning as reflected in the election results where Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party emerged winner. I argued first and foremost that unlike the 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial elections where the push for change was palpable; this 2012 election is enveloped by the desire of Ondo State people for continuity due to the leadership style of Dr Mimiko which had bridged the disconnect between the people and government as well as the quality service delivery that the people now enjoy. I also raised the pedigree of the contestants. Where are they coming from? What have they been able to achieve? How well do they stand in terms of integrity and public service records? Dr Mimiko’s service as a two time Commissioner of Health, Secretary to the State Government and a Federal Minister before he became Governor no doubt equipped him with a deep knowledge of governance coupled with an integrity that has remained intact.
In line with the above, I posited that an exploration of the programmes canvassed by the three top contenders for the job could be considered as their unique selling points. This programme flaunt, placed Iroko higher than the others as he has a clear cut policy agenda. Analysts in some quarters, especially those who judged based on the NEDG Gubernatorial Debates have opined that if the debates happened to be the only criterion for endorsement, Mimiko and Oke would stand better chances than the former NBA Chairman. They have based this on the fact that while Mimiko and Oke clearly defined and outlined their agenda for the state, Akeredolu spent most of the time allotted to him castigating Mimiko over his style of governance and his projects. Apart from undue venom spitting; “Aketi”, as Akeredolu is fondly called only succeeded in telling the people that Ondo must vote him so as to ‘consolidate’ the integration agenda of the Asiwaju of Lagos.
Apart from the above variables, one issue that came to fore in the build up to the Ondo gubernatorial elections was the active and passive role of godfathers. ACN’s Akeredolu enjoyed the unalloyed support from the Asiwaju of Lagos who is largely believed to have handpicked him as the party’s candidate, the latter too has not hidden the fact that he has become the godfather in ACN. Although Chief Oke does not seem to have a resident godfather in Ondo State or in the South West; the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Obasanjo, members of PDP Central Working Committee e.t.c at the PDP rallies seemed to be the assurance that PDP members in the state needed to be sure that “Abuja” was behind their candidate. The only candidate without a godfather among the main contenders is Dr Olusegun Mimiko and this is largely due to the fact that he has a strong faith in God almighty and the good people of Ondo State for their support at all times. While many thought that it may put him at a disadvantage, the exact opposite happened and God put all the godfathers to shame! The people of Ondo State by principle do not like being subservient or dominated by external influence and since the other candidates’ enjoyed external support, Mimiko’s support from God and the Ondo State people led to his success at Saturday’s election.
The last but not the least variable that conditioned the Ondo elections could be situated in the “Sympathy” and the “Victimization Theory”. Over time, it has become obvious that “being the victim” has its place in election matters in Ondo State. Ondo State often tilts towards offering support to people perceived to be at disadvantaged positions or people who have been treated unjustly. In the 2012 elections, various strategies were adopted by the opposition to victimize Iroko. Apart from calling Iroko several unprintable names just to tarnish his integrity and dislocate his focus; the opposition went to the extent of labeling Mimiko’s Labour Party as a platform without a father, mother or siblings in Nigeria’s political firmament! The many attacks that Mimiko received from opponents fast placed him in the “victim’s corner” thus prompting the people to vote for him.
The people voted for Dr Mimiko who has in no small measure turned around the fortunes of Ondo State and lived up to expectation as a true son who has refused to hand over the precious heritage of the people to any ferocious godfather. He has remained grateful to God and the Ondo State people for their support at all times knowing fully well that the people are with him because of their conviction on his competence rather than any form of gratuitous imposition from outside.
INEC as an Institution and its leadership deserves commendation. Despite the noticeable challenges, the Ondo election is certainly an improvement on the Edo election. I hope INEC will find a way to overcome these challenges so that many Nigerians would not be disenfranchised in the future. Thumbs up for President Goodluck Jonathan and his 'one man, one vote' mantra. GEJ indeed rekindled our hope in a better Nigeria.
Mimiko’s success is indeed a victory for Ondo State people over the forces of repression, suppression and internal colonialism. It is indeed a confirmation that Ondo State people can never submit to the dictates of any foreign god. Of course, the only God we reverence is the Almighty, the creator of heaven and the earth, the one who decrees and no one changes, the one that direct the affairs of men.The people indeed spoke with their votes on Saturday October 20, 2012 by voting massively for Dr Olusegun Mimiko to continue his people driven 'Caring heart' policies. The voice of the people is indeed, the voice of God. Vox Populi, Vox Dei.
The much awaited Ondo gubernatorial election has come and gone. No election has gathered so much public attention, in recent times, as the October 20, 2012 poll in Ondo State. Governor Mimiko fought the political battle of his life just to prove a point to the unprecedented fierce opposition that the bond of citizens and the government is eternally glued by good governance and God’s favour. On the other hand, Action Congress of Nigeria, pretended to be a serious contender for the Alagbaka job to further its phantom integration of the region under the Asiwaju of Lagos. In a similar vein, the PDP stopped at nothing to register its presence in this politically dynamic State, where it once held sway. At the end of the elections, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the great Iroko and 'Ota ibayomi Olorun ni o je' of Nigeria Politics recorded an impressive landslide victory in an election which Nigerians and observers had adjudged the most credible in the annals of Nigeria. ACN with all its ‘shakara’ came a very distant third, far behind the PDP as predicted by some of us and our revered leader – the Iroko.
While I was a guest at the NTA International ‘Ondo Decides’ Studios during the course of the election, I made it clear that the Ondo people are a highly politically sophisticated breed that cherishes the sanctity of the ballot box and that despite the harassment, insults cum provocation of those who boasted about their capacity to ‘capture’ Ondo State at all costs; the people will turn out massively to vote for performance, credibility, good governance, forthrightness, reliability, doggedness and quality transformative leadership as encapsulated in the person of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.
On NTA International, I enumerated some variables that will determine who wins the election in line with my usual advocacy that Dr Segun Mimiko deserves a second term. Indeed, the variables came to high reckoning as reflected in the election results where Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party emerged winner. I argued first and foremost that unlike the 2003 and 2007 gubernatorial elections where the push for change was palpable; this 2012 election is enveloped by the desire of Ondo State people for continuity due to the leadership style of Dr Mimiko which had bridged the disconnect between the people and government as well as the quality service delivery that the people now enjoy. I also raised the pedigree of the contestants. Where are they coming from? What have they been able to achieve? How well do they stand in terms of integrity and public service records? Dr Mimiko’s service as a two time Commissioner of Health, Secretary to the State Government and a Federal Minister before he became Governor no doubt equipped him with a deep knowledge of governance coupled with an integrity that has remained intact.
In line with the above, I posited that an exploration of the programmes canvassed by the three top contenders for the job could be considered as their unique selling points. This programme flaunt, placed Iroko higher than the others as he has a clear cut policy agenda. Analysts in some quarters, especially those who judged based on the NEDG Gubernatorial Debates have opined that if the debates happened to be the only criterion for endorsement, Mimiko and Oke would stand better chances than the former NBA Chairman. They have based this on the fact that while Mimiko and Oke clearly defined and outlined their agenda for the state, Akeredolu spent most of the time allotted to him castigating Mimiko over his style of governance and his projects. Apart from undue venom spitting; “Aketi”, as Akeredolu is fondly called only succeeded in telling the people that Ondo must vote him so as to ‘consolidate’ the integration agenda of the Asiwaju of Lagos.
Apart from the above variables, one issue that came to fore in the build up to the Ondo gubernatorial elections was the active and passive role of godfathers. ACN’s Akeredolu enjoyed the unalloyed support from the Asiwaju of Lagos who is largely believed to have handpicked him as the party’s candidate, the latter too has not hidden the fact that he has become the godfather in ACN. Although Chief Oke does not seem to have a resident godfather in Ondo State or in the South West; the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Obasanjo, members of PDP Central Working Committee e.t.c at the PDP rallies seemed to be the assurance that PDP members in the state needed to be sure that “Abuja” was behind their candidate. The only candidate without a godfather among the main contenders is Dr Olusegun Mimiko and this is largely due to the fact that he has a strong faith in God almighty and the good people of Ondo State for their support at all times. While many thought that it may put him at a disadvantage, the exact opposite happened and God put all the godfathers to shame! The people of Ondo State by principle do not like being subservient or dominated by external influence and since the other candidates’ enjoyed external support, Mimiko’s support from God and the Ondo State people led to his success at Saturday’s election.
The last but not the least variable that conditioned the Ondo elections could be situated in the “Sympathy” and the “Victimization Theory”. Over time, it has become obvious that “being the victim” has its place in election matters in Ondo State. Ondo State often tilts towards offering support to people perceived to be at disadvantaged positions or people who have been treated unjustly. In the 2012 elections, various strategies were adopted by the opposition to victimize Iroko. Apart from calling Iroko several unprintable names just to tarnish his integrity and dislocate his focus; the opposition went to the extent of labeling Mimiko’s Labour Party as a platform without a father, mother or siblings in Nigeria’s political firmament! The many attacks that Mimiko received from opponents fast placed him in the “victim’s corner” thus prompting the people to vote for him.
The people voted for Dr Mimiko who has in no small measure turned around the fortunes of Ondo State and lived up to expectation as a true son who has refused to hand over the precious heritage of the people to any ferocious godfather. He has remained grateful to God and the Ondo State people for their support at all times knowing fully well that the people are with him because of their conviction on his competence rather than any form of gratuitous imposition from outside.
INEC as an Institution and its leadership deserves commendation. Despite the noticeable challenges, the Ondo election is certainly an improvement on the Edo election. I hope INEC will find a way to overcome these challenges so that many Nigerians would not be disenfranchised in the future. Thumbs up for President Goodluck Jonathan and his 'one man, one vote' mantra. GEJ indeed rekindled our hope in a better Nigeria.
Mimiko’s success is indeed a victory for Ondo State people over the forces of repression, suppression and internal colonialism. It is indeed a confirmation that Ondo State people can never submit to the dictates of any foreign god. Of course, the only God we reverence is the Almighty, the creator of heaven and the earth, the one who decrees and no one changes, the one that direct the affairs of men.The people indeed spoke with their votes on Saturday October 20, 2012 by voting massively for Dr Olusegun Mimiko to continue his people driven 'Caring heart' policies. The voice of the people is indeed, the voice of God. Vox Populi, Vox Dei.
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