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It is generally acknowledged that in a democracy such as ours, especially where voter apathy is replete, quite frequently, the number of persons required to determine who ultimately wins general elections is usually well below the total number of registered voters. However, in a delegate election, such as is required to determine a party’s flag bearer, it has come to be the norm that career politicians, constituting the delegation decide en masse who that standard bearer should be. Given therefore, the importance of delegates in determining the pendulum of elections, it is very imperative that this responsibility is taken with the seriousness it deserves and with a high sense of duty.
For instance, it is no longer news that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the last governorship election held on June 26, 2014 in Ekiti State in an unprecedented manner in the history of politics in Nigeria. Perhaps, what is news is, that may not have happened if Fayose (the best candidate PDP could have fielded) had not been the flag bearer. In the context of delegate elections, every single vote is significant just as the personality of the candidate. This scenario can not be more apt than in the forthcoming elections in Oyo State. If the PDP is to oust the incumbent APC government in the state, then getting a competent and acceptable candidate during the primaries holds the key.
As the aspirants traverse the length and breadth of Oyo State in a bid to convince first the party leadership and then the electorate, they do so with the aim of maximizing their overall vote count . Whether a party can increase her vote count on Election Day is determined by the choice of delegates;this choice is usually a factor of party affiliation, social group allegiance, the candidate’s personality, consideration of the issues or policy, political advertising and media coverage.The personality of the candidate is a major factor in winning elections in today’s Nigeria even over political affiliation which hitherto was a dominant factor. This perhaps made Pierce J. Howard to assert that “personalities at work are like cars in the city: They often can keep us from our destination.” Hence,the need for the PDP in Oyo state to get it right in the choice of the party flag bearer. The personality of the candidate is so important that it explains why political candidates assume and fake all sort of behaviors and mantras, accolades and titles which do not necessarily represent their ideals or values just for the sake of politics to lure or deceive the electorate.
A case in point is the laughable manner that a man who was trounced at the polls in a most humiliating manner by the present occupant of the the Oyo state government house; whose stint as governor was synonymous with executive recklessness, political rascality and impunity would roll on stage and sing some funny church hymns and songs all in a bid to show us he has changed. A man, whose only attribute or claim to leadership is the massive war chest which he boasts, a treasure trove that is most likely part of the people’s common patrimony that the Nigeria state is battling to reclaim in the case against him with the EFCC, must not be allowed by delegates to hoodwink them into giving him their mandate. If this man could not defeat the current governor as an incumbent , then, it is only foolhardy to believe that Otunba Alao Akala will have something new to offer.
It is against this backdrop that the entrance of Senator Teslim Folarin into the fray truly represents a breadth of fresh air. It is becoming clearer by the day that his impeccable personality and unimpeachable character during his stint as the Majority Leader of the Nigerian Senate is a political capital for any party, let alone the PDP. His affable, non elitist and practical politics is quietly gaining traction with the people of Oyo.
It is not therefore surprising that the pendulum seems to be tilting in his favor thereby attracting violent opposition from very unpopular quarters . Teslim has publicly declared that he is not corrupt and so far, not even his avowed critics have been able to dare or challenge him. The spotlight is on other PDP aspirants to stand the test of integrity and morality.
Contemporary political observers are not surprised why all of a sudden some aspirants are leading the campaign that the election is not about personality. Let it be said loud and clear and on all platforms to the electorate that it has always been about the personality rather than the power to pull together stolen resources. If they cannot stand the personality test then they should throw in the towel. It is at this point that we must warn the delegates and indeed, the party not to allow themselves fall prey to the antics of some misguided aspirants who think they can purchase the elections. We are not unmindful of the Oyato crooner’s alleged plans to buy the delegates and party chieftains with a mind boggling sum of three billion Naira. Pray, where is the location of Akala’s factories and economic interests that justifies ownership of such sums?
Let no one make mistakes, the stake is too high in the forthcoming election; increased suffering of the people due to failure of successive governments in the state which have poorly performed over the last eight years but that suddenly think that the resort to lousy propaganda, bogus feeling of entitlement , admission to being an ATM for corruption and renowned “settlement” syndrome has made this delegates election all the more paramount. It is time to liberate the people! This is what must guide delegates and the PDP and supporters must work hard as never before and be prepared to defend the will of the people, knowing their vote counts. This is not the time to follow one selfish individual down the road of perdition. Of course, we have heard about his plans to abandon ship once his failed ambition is unravelled during the elections.
Oyo State needs a man naturally configured with charisma, independent minded,great foresight; a man who has been tested by his own personal industry and expansive records of achievements in the public service; a man who shows glaringly an uncommon courage for manic persistence to conceive and turn ideas into actionable solutions; an accomplished leader and a bridge builder. Let’s recollect the sayings of Michelangelo: “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
On this basis, Teslim Folarin, as one of the governorship aspirants under the PDP stands out like a shinning model of a competent “sculptor” that can be trusted to carry the mantle of governorship for the people of Oyo State. He has been Nationally tested, as one who pioneered change in the Senate of Nigeria as Senate Leader, a position that made him the highest ever political office holder from Oyo state; worked to the highest level in the civil service in the United Kingdom which makes him adept at international best practices; and interacted with the highest level of party apparatchik. Anyone who has had the opportunity to come across the campaign live speeches of Teslim Folarin or his displays during his time at the National Assembly will be struck by his high intelligence, candor , humility and empathy for the plight of the downtrodden. Could this account for why opponents want to pull him down at all costs? Does this explain the resort to violence and money politics by our black man in fake fair skin?
Everywhere he goes, he speaks the same language of assured development for the state within the shortest time span. You could hear him reel out his words like the flow of a ‘river of gold’ across your mind and ears, as solutions that he has thoughtfully envisaged for the problems of the people of Oyo State: “I know OUR pains”. “And I have actionable solutions for them” he enthuses.
Teslim Folarin, as a man whose biography within the last 12 years alone has become blended positively with the myth of his great political achievements as a result of his stewardship as the leader of the Nigerian Senate, is one of the young Turks of gubernatorial aspirants, who is stridently pulling the tugs on the new generation of minds in Oyo State, to abandon the old Guards of leaders that have been deceiving the electorate and milking the state treasury dry.
TESLIM FOLARIN, who graduated from the great premier university, the University of Ibadan, is neither known to be boastful of his certificates or visible achievements. It is easy to see him shopping in any of the malls in Ibadan, strolling with his family unaccompanied or taking a walk around his resident and freely relating with people without regard to their social status . This much can not be said of any of the dramatis personae in the match to the government house.
Though several permutation are flying around on who will be the PDP’s flag bearer in 2015, only a few will disagree that more than 70% of the party elders of Oyo state are at home with Senator Folarin. This is not ordinary! You can not buy trust, diligence, friendship , comradeship and virtue. All these Folarin brings to the table and more and without having to flaunt any unwholesome wealth. Is it possible that the rising brand and profile of Teslim Folarin is intimidating to some persons which explains why they must demean him at any cost?
The party leadership needs to know that the operation South-West take over can be best achieved with this man of honour and great antecedents. Another major factor to consider while going further with this is the senatorial district he comes from. We must learn from history and not present a minority candidate with baggage that will affect and distract the campaign from an issue based one to personality attacks. Teslim Folarin, no doubt will naturally mobilize support for the centre and at the same time wrestle power from where it is now. This we believe President Goodluck Jonathan as the leader of the PDP and the party can not overlook.
At this point, we should ask ourselves, isn’t what we need, a governor who ought to have obsessive eyes for details in running the affairs of the state? If as a gubernatorial aspirant someone claims that his great repository of wealth and laxity in sharing the state’s resources as former governor is all that is needed to run Oyo State, should we not be worried about the future of our state?
The most important conclusion to draw from this article is that success in the art of governance is predicated on experience, finesse, character and good personality that an aspirant should possess in his quest to the government house, and should be measured by reliable criteria such as acceptability, knowledge base, courage, determination to serve with public spirit, depth of vision and foresight, scope of raw wisdom, independence of his personality, charisma and trustworthiness.
These are attributes that anyone who must govern the state should have in abundance and which are all salient characteristics easily discernible in Teslim Folarin that makes him stand out as the best choice for governor among the lot of contestants. Anyone who is afraid of Teslim is anti people, destructive, and an enemy of the Oyo State.
Suleiman Arapaja
Mapo,Ibadan.
