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( First published September 10, 2021).
That’s the intriguing question ravaging the minds of most members of the PDP and many political observers. Can the highly politically exposed Senator be actually actively but surreptitiously be committing her resources to facilitate the success of the APC in the forthcoming Ekiti State 2022 governorship election?
Her Excellency, Chief Senator Biodun Olujimi is the “Okanlawon” PDP elected political office holder in the current dispensation, courtesy of the Courts which voided the victory of Prince Adedayo Adeyeye(APC) and affirmed SBO as the duly elected Ekiti south senatorial district senator. The only PDP holding any political office, a second-term senator and a former deputy governor. She is an “undisguised” experienced veteran fighter. Currently in Ekiti PDP, she occupies the highest political office and thus automatically becomes the party’s leader in the state, although this translation is being keenly contested in some quarters. That aside.
Without doubt, SBO is a politician of note. Very politically active and conspicuous. Fortunately for the Senator the opportunities to showcase her leadership dexterity have copiously presented themselves. She is from the South. The south senatorial district is clamouring (without any noticeable strategic planning and result oriented actions) for the opportunity to govern the State, having never reached to that peak since democracy began in the state. Naturally, SBO was(and still is) saddled with the responsibility of seeing to it that “a suitable concensus aspirant emerges from the district who can take on any other aspirants from the other districts”. That is, if the other districts eventually refuse to concede the position to the South potentially making primaries inevitable. Another test of purposeful leadership circumstantially bestowed on SBO is to bridge factions within the party. Two major forces are former governor Ayo Fayose’s faction and the group supposedly being led by Olujimi herself, christened the Repositioning Group. (The rg also has several micro groups.) SBO is expected to provide firm leadership and directional coordination so that it can “confront” the fiery fire of Fayose unapologetically; but strength for strength and fire for fire. That is, if every amicable resolution fails.
But concerned individuals either as being sympathetic to the Ekiti 2022 governorship southern agenda or a member of the Repositioning Group or both are becoming uncomfortable with the way the Senator is handling these destiny-determining assignments. They argue that there are no indications at all to show that sbo is committed to them. Nor even mean well for either of the two phenomenal “babies” in her care. As a matter of fact, some bewildered members say they are not sure whether “Mama” means well for the PDP, and by extension, for Ekiti people as a whole.
They say sbo has never been known or seen to be lukewarm, lackadaisical and this gravely half-hearted. They seem to be fully persuaded that Olujimi’s conduct demonstrates apparent absence of interest or a well-scripted plan to obtain a sinister motive. Why has she withdrawn? Why has not been speaking, directing or coordinating?
As for the southern cause, they are of the opinion that Olujimi has at least two eminently qualified individuals, out of which she can choose one. As for the Repositioning Group, they accuse Olujimi of even causing further cracks instead of bringing them together. Just recently, a mini repositioning group help its mini primaries in Ado where Lateef Ajijola emerged as aspirant. Those who say Olujimi is acting strange have advanced the Senator’s politically suicidal silence as a strong proof that she’s up to something. And to them, it can only be something disadvantageous to the PDP…
But other school of thoughts says sbo actually fronted the idea of the so-called repositioning group as a platform to launch her governorship project. However, when Olujimi interpreted unfolding trends as being very unfavourable to her personal ambition, she opted to tactically withdraw. That is saying in effect that her interest cannot be actualized through any repositioning group or the pursuit of south senatorial agenda. Hence she considers it a waste of resources and dissipation of energy.
But the most alarming , traumatizing conjecture is to imagine in the remotest that sbo can actually be working for the apc! But some individuals who say anything is possible in the Nigerian political arena believe it is payback time for Omuo-born Senator. Before now, it is believed in some quarters that the incumbent Ekiti governor actually assisted Olujimi during the stormy periods of electoral litigations between Olujimi and Adeyeye. According to the calculations, if Adeyeye was allowed to continue in the Senate he would have become very powerful and economically strong, with influence and connections that he would come back to Ekiti to contest the governorship, which has been his primary and overriding ambition. Governor Fayemi’s theoretical postulation as a war strategist and practical political battles with Chief Segun Oni must have informed him that prevention is, and will always be, better than cure. It was said that an agreement was reached between the Senator and the Governor that if the latter helped the former to obtain favourable outcomes, she must not engage in any activities that could jeopardize the victory of Fayemi’s candidate in the 2022 governorship polls. The Senator was said to have gladly accepted the conditions.
It is not a difficult thing to do, someone said. Because when you describe a Nigerian politician as veteran or experienced, it’s not actually in their ability acquired through exercise and practice to proffer solutions to problems or provide informed leadership. No. Not at all. It is, in fact, in their ability to always manoeuver their ways to achieve their personal and selfish interest. This, they say, explains the so many instances of political cross carpetting and prostitution going in Nigeria. They are without any particular ideology. That’s why somebody may be a staunch member of the PDP and be working very strenuously for the success of the APC.
But the sbo’s phenomenon appears different. Because many things are unclear now, which only time and the unfolding events can unravel. That’s why one can only wonder the question aloud: CAN SENATOR BIODUN OLUJIMI ACTUALLY BE WORKING FOR THE APC?
Sunday Olubunmi writes from Ado-Ekiti
