Honestly, one does not need a soothsayer to say or know that things are no longer at ease in Somolu political arena owing to the unending feud among the top hierarchy of the All Progressive Congress (APC) family that gave birth to the ‘sycophancy of the highest order’ which has taken over the political landscape in the last few years.
Recently, the feud took a new dimension as things begin to fall apart to the extent that if no drastic steps are taken, the political structure might nose-dive and the entire system will no doubt collapse like a pack of cards. Although, the record has it that several reconciliation moves have been established in the past to put an end to the brouhaha but according to a report, top shots in the political arena did not allow the dust to settle as expected as they continue to wallow in the political bigotry that has been truncating the entire process.
A lot of things have been treated with kids’ gloves which have gotten to the level where members of the same party witchhunt one another to gain prominence or favour from leaders. The pulldown syndrome has eaten deep into the fabric of the members that it will take a long time to heal. Though, such unethical behaviour is not peculiar to Somolu but not as rampant as being practiced here.
When you hear ‘runwon’, do not hesitate to remove your pair of slippers and take to your hills before asking or telling whoever cares why you’re running because ‘Ijafara l’ewu’ as being postulated in Yoruba dialect. Politics in Somolu is now look before you leap or else, one would land in a discomfort zone he or she had never imagined in his or her lifetime.
Close friends, blood brothers, and even fathers and their children have fallen into different camps and thereafter become sworn enemies. It shouldn’t be a crime pitching one’s tent with whoever one chooses but in Somolu politics, it will be taken to the extreme, turning everything upside down.
As we speak now, some close allies and family no longer see eye-for-an-eye without tongue-lashing one another all because of political interest which is threatening the pillar of unity not only in the party but in the Somolu community as a whole. ‘Agbo t’eku lo wif’eye’ have done so much damage to the cordial relationship that exists among the political elites which they too allowed.
Somolu political water has been poisoned and the situation has become so worrisome to the extent that it’s difficult to exchange greetings or have something meaningful to do with others in the same party, and whoever does will become or be tagged ‘Elebode or better put as Odale’. Before you say, Jack, it has gone viral and such individual(s) will instantly be ostracized.
One thing is certain that some people are gaining from beating the drum of discord and fanning the ember of war among the members and like the Yoruba adage says that ‘Eni gbin ebu ika, omo e aje n’ibe’ literarily meaning “Whoever plants bad seeds will have his or her children eat out of it one day”. They may have a field day today but tomorrow will tell what it has in store for them. If not, the virus would have been weeded out long before now.
What about ‘Eyi o da, e yo danu’ syndrome which according to the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, delays the prompt preparation of a meal. Quite a lot of political portfolios have been lost in the process. What do they stand to gain from doing that and what kinds of examples are they laying for the next generation of young politicians coming after them?
The leaders too must stand up to the occasion, search their conscience and ask themselves if they’re truly doing the right things and if they know they’re not, it’s not too late to right the wrong as a matter of urgency. ‘Agba kii wa loja ki ori omode wo’ says the Yoruba adage. It’s high time they put the house in order and stop the political tsunami that may be threatening to sweep away their efforts and that of the man called ‘Jagaban’, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose mandate every APC member stands on.
The creation of camps is the number one gray hair that must be addressed without any delay while the leaders of the party must find a way of reconciling the aggrieved party members. Restructuring the party is imminent or else, the collateral damage will be so enormous that even the party chairman and the party stalwarts will be shocked to the marrow considering the recent Osun election defeat by the opposition party, PDP which is as a result of the internal political crisis that ripped through the heart of the Osun APC.
This time around, the supporters must be enlightened and advised to do away with abusive language during the campaign but rather engage the voters and the opposition in a mature and friendly manner.
The campaign strategies must be well orchestrated and as well followed to the letter in order for the party to achieve the set target of winning victoriously come 20233.
