ALBERT ASIPA
In early 90s, there was a programme on NTA Channel 7, Tejuoso, Lagos titled ENI BA LAYA, KO WO O literarily translated that “if you are bold enough, come and participate” and the boldness in this instance meant that you must be very intelligent and conversant with current affairs. Going by the prevailing political rhetorics in our Gateway State, the 2027 gubernatorial race has already and reasonably too put on the garb of the rested television programme just alluded to. Any sincere and unbiased assessor will agree with the assertion, using the once popular television programme being referred to as the undisputable political situation in Ogun State today as far as the race to Oke ‘Mosan is concerned come 2027 with the level of acceptability of Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola popularly known as ‘Yayi’ as the man for the job.
With the name Yayi on the lips of both young and old, male and female across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, the race has really assumed the ‘Eni ba laya…’ dimension. A testament of this assertion was the recently celebrated 56th birthday of the people’s Senator which turned out to be endorsement of his acceptability and the man being awaited to come and move the state forward as from 2027. It is not a common feature for a particular programme to be held simultaneously in different places, it is a rarity, but that was how the said birthday of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) was held.
At Oba Asade Pavilion, Ilaro in Yewa South Local Government area of the state, venue of Ogun West Senatorial District celebration of the birthday party for the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, a friend of mine, on hearing that the same programme was being held in the other two Senatorial Districts in the state simultaneously was alarmed! He jokingly said “the relevant authority should allow us to pass a resolution that there’s no need for any election for the gubernatorial seat in the state and by May 29, 2027, Sen. Yayi should just be sworn-in as our governor in the state” to which everybody around us nodded for approval amidst hilarious laughter. Though, a joke, but it spoke eloquently of the acceptability of the man with heart of gold and readiness of the people of the state to invest in him their confidence, come 2027.
In the holy Bible, it is recorded that whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully and this is exactly what’s at play currently in Ogun State as far as the 2027 gubernatorial race is concerned. To be fair and sincere, anything less than the present accolades for the People’s Senator will amount to disputing the Biblical portion referred to above. Sen. Yayi couldn’t have gotten less in terms of celebration because he has sown bountifully by moving thousands of people from the poverty level and still sowing. Should he get anything less also, it means that Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey who once sang that ‘iwa eda, ni Oluwa n wo fi dajo’ (God judges human beings with their deeds) has explanations to offer over that claim that has remain incontrovertible for decades now.
In an environment where trust is a scarce commodity and expression of gratitude is feigned, the naysayers will readily assume and conclude that the man being celebrated was the one responsible for the celebration parties in the three zones. But, I can say it with all emphasis and authoritatively too that none of the three Senatorial Districts received a dime from the Distinguished Senator. Rather, people, out of their volition and as a way of appreciating a benefactor came together and made donations towards giving their man befitting birthday parties to the utter amazement and consternation of the Senator himself.
Earlier in my tribute to him on the exact date of his birth, I did say and I quote “You are specially created for a purpose. Many more accomplishments of the purpose as you celebrate your 56th birthday on earth”. In the journey of anybody on earth, destiny is very important because it is something one cannot run ahead of. I crave the indulgence of my readers to allow me plagiarize and slightly adulterate one of the hit songs of the Late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister that “Mi o mobi Olori gbe yan ori, n ba debe yan temi, mi o mobi Yayi gbe yan ori, n ba debe yan temi, ibi kan naa la gbe yan ori o, kadara o papo ni…”.
For the remaining few doubting Thomases, who are likened to the Biblical people of Noah’s generation, who snubbed his Ark, here is a word for you, I mean those who are yet to embrace the Yayi’s ‘Ark’ that it is still open for everybody now to come and enter and not to remain adamant or recalcitrant until the door is closed just like the Ark of Noah was closed against his people that failed to embrace him. Yayi’s Ark is an Ark full of hope and fulfilment of long held aspirations and dreams, an Ark that will surely take the Gateway State to the promise land.
I pray for you, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the destiny that started the good job will complete it successfully. Baba God will crown all your efforts, come May, 29, 2027.
– Albert Asipa writes from Iwoye Ketu in Iwoye/Jabata Ward, Imeko Afon Local Government, Ogun State.
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