By Christie Doyin
I had scanned my mind so to say, to see what to put together for this edition to no avail, and this is just because I’m trying so very hard not to actively get involve in the current Kwara style of politics.
I had thought that with the kind of youths involved in the ‘o to ge’ agenda, Kwara politics would take a different dimension and be better for it and for all, unfortunately, however, the polity is worse for it. During parties’ primaries in 2019, the two major parties in particular made several unpardonable mistakes that affected their successes and led to a lot of disaffections.
Really, though the All Progressive Congress (APC) eventually emerged ‘victorious’, yet the storm and bad blood it caused is yet to be appeased. And for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the story, intrigues and unsavoury turn out will very well remain on records and lesson for all involved.
For the PDP, the primary left many disappointed, disoriented and detached from the main body. The disintegration that resulted is what added to the eventual turnout of the 2019 elections in Kwara state.
For the APC, which took advantage of the fragmentation of the PDP, coupled with those who decided to jump the ship because they want to continue to wield power, it was easy cruise no matter how you view it. For many of them, we know their antecedent but as non partisan politician, we watched and mused at the scenario as it unfolded. For most of the youths that orchestrated the ‘O to ge agenda, their utmost desire was to see an end to the reign of the recycled old politicians and emergence of young and vibrant young men and women. And come to think of it, it is mostly because of these recycled traitors that the PDP lost its hold on the state. Unfortunately, the same old politicians they wanted out jumped ship and cunningly aligned with the ‘O to ge’ youths, bringing in their young stooges and supporting them with money and contacts. Many of those youths that later joined the ‘O to ge’ group never had the total grasp of the mission and vision of the initiators and now this.
Though disillusioned and displeased with what happened, we know that the state must move on and governance must take forefront. This is the submission of some of us who craved for good governance. However, in about the last one year, the electioneering is still on and governance is held in abeyance.
While ruminating about situation in the state, what readily came to mind as responsible for this anomaly is the manner the incumbent emerged.
His emergence the way it did was not totally his fault but fault of those who out of desperation to check the likely tango and challenge leaders of the ruling party may give them at the national level then and in future, decided to foist a man who actually was not part of the party primary held in Kwara.
Possibly, if they had synchronised from the beginning, the man would have prepared for governance and there would have been a kind of synergy between all members of the fragmented party and governance would have taken the front burner towards giving the people a better state as anticipated.
From inception, it is one form of electioneering misdemeanor or d other within and outside the APC members fold. Among the youths, it’s a case of mistrust, distrust and breach of confidence.
The desire and expectation of people of the state from stakeholders is the commencement of governance and halt to electioneering one year after swearing in. The handling of CONVID-19 issue, the matters around recovery of money and properties, the government spendings and claims among others are giving us reasons for concern.
We need progressive, impactful and meaningful people oriented programmes that would emancipate the citizenry. We have looked on for a while year and so much are still amiss.
The fact that the governor is not always there, when he is there, he is not talking and when his aides talk, especially on social media, it is to insult or make unsavory remarks not befitting enough for such sensitive posts. I felt sometimes like having a private chat with him, but you never can tell how vulgar he could be.
The Chief Press Secretary, after a few mistakes is doing well and better handling issues now, perhaps except for some boys he is using that need to learn to be courteous.
My take really in this is that one year after elections, all forms of electioneering attitude ought to have stopped while serious governance and administration should be of utmost concern to the elected and those appointed into positions.
Kwara and Kwarans deserve better than what government is dishing out.
Let us key off election campaign modes and fixate our attention on true governance that will positively impact all. It is not about parties now, it is about the people and their expectations.
*Doyin writes from Ilorin via e-mail: [email protected]
