I have watched with sadness and a heavy heart the emerging trend of mockery, insults, and sadistic attacks directed at His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola over the outcome of the Osun election.
Let me state this clearly and in strong terms: I condemn this attitude in totality.
This loss is beyond Oyetola. It is a calamity that has befallen many of us whose hope, career development, and political future were tied to our collective success as a party and as a people.
Truth be told: Oyetola lost nothing. He is made. But our generality is the loser. Careers have been limited. Opportunities have been delayed. The pain is shared.We have been mislabelled as ungrateful element and we have made those of them that intervene as unappreciated.
If only for the positive roles this same His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola played in the past — his peace, his patience, his stability, and the way he carried the burden of all — he does not deserve castigation or abusive words.
No amount of grievances should make anyone speak evil of his benefactor. Who is ever perfect in life? And let us not forget that only God can perfect our ambitions.
This episode shall pass. And students of history shall have records of each of us — those who built, and those who destroyed; those who stood in the storm, and those who threw stones from the sidelines.The record of those who allowed grievances to overwhelm them and those who betrayed us and those who mismanaged election fund.
To the young ones and stakeholders: Let us learn. Politics without gratitude is ingratitude. Leadership without loyalty is betrayal.
I urge all of us to sheathe our swords, drop the bitterness, and close ranks. The house must be rebuilt, and it starts with respect for those who have paid the price before us.
Rotimi Makinde
Fmr MHR
Ife Federal Constituency
