As 2023 is gaining momentum and as expected, there are alignments and re-alignments. Political Transfer window is still wide open and Politicians have started recruiting foot soldiers, releasing series of statements both genuine and counterfeit to sway favour towards their ambition and interest. Sooner, the good people of the state will decide where pendulum will eventually swing.
Over the years, Ogun West has been described as the pawn in the political chessboard of the Gateway state. Other regions have mastered different workable approaches which have been yielding result to their favour while most of Ogun West Elites and political Gladiators have been put up against one another in the past outing, dividing us in the process without any edge way. Many of are our misdeeds were orchestrated from outside the region and we can't continue the same route.
It is evident that 4-4 years approach has failed the people of the West and there is a need to re-strategize. Going the Memory lane in brevity, except Chief Olusegun Osoba, the former Governors were usually returned. Despite tremendous opposition gang up against Otunba Gbenga Daniel's led administration, OGD was returned and completed his 8 years reign. The replica was the same with Senator Ibikunle Amosun, even when Ogun West rallied round a Single Governorship Candidate from a very popular party with a formidable structure in 2015.
2023 presents another political game with divided political stands and permutations. It is evident that the Majority of Ogun West Political Gladiators are in the ruling party who believes that Dapo Abiodun should be returned according to the tradition in Ogun state's modern political arrangement. Few have pitched their tent with another Remo Man who has the tendency of spending another 8 years if he wins the contest. Yet, there is a clear indication that there are other Ogun Westerners in relatively unpopular political parties vying for the number one seat of the state. The move that many politically savvy personalities described as an 'exercise in futility'.
Notwithstanding the available alternatives, it is logical to consider that if a solid opposition and a very popular candidate couldn't dislodge the then incumbent in 2015, how can a less popular political platform and a relatively unpopular candidate achieve the same in 2023?
If Ogun West could not overturn the power of incumbency with an acceptable candidate who enjoyed full home support in the 2015 contest, how possible can one without home support of the majority Westerners win in 2023? Your guess is good as mine.
No doubt, there are only two viable options. One is to follow the tradition and the other is to alter it. Altering without strategy and adequate preparation is nothing but a wishful thinking. As it stands today, the quest for Governor in 2023 as being voiced by the few among us, is a replica of previous outings and the outcome cannot be different. Election is not won by emotional sentiment, neither on the premise of mere thought or aspiration. It requires formidable structure, workable strategy, popular candidature, wider acceptability, financial capability, connection, people's cooperation and many more.
As Ogun Westerners, how practicable and effective is our strategy and how prepared are we to achieve victory in 2023? Third force so far has proven to be good only on paper, not even when one is going to the battle with a divided house. Undoubtedly, the majority of the West are Gospelers of continuity and Democracy is a game of number. Indeed, we all have the same goal but some of us in the West are tired of 'LULEISM'.
Olusola Ojekunle
Ibese Ward
Yewa North Local Government.
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