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AN OPEN LETTER TO SENATOR BABAFEMI OJUDU
Dear distinguished Senator Bbabafemi Ganiyu Ojudu, I say good morning to you.
I’m writing you this missive, this morning because I felt saddened by what you said to me yesterday, that ,” May God let them give you what you’re looking for ” You said this as a reaction to what I wrote which you perceived as a reaction to what you also wrote earlier, concerning the ongoing processes as regards elective positions within the APC.
Dear distinguished, besides the fact that we are more or less cousins and related in various angles, we are also age mates( you’re 3months older) and we both had our primary education the same period before my mother took me out of Ado in the early 70s. We never grew up to be close because I didn’t grow up in Ado- Ekiti, but I must say that ever since the MKO Abiola’s unfortunate episode and the roles you played alongside some of your colleagues like Bunmi Borisade, JKF, Femi Falana and others who gave up their lives for the struggle, I’ve come to respect and identify with you as one who is a kit and kin and in whom I’m well pleased and always proud of.
Coming to politics, the role you played with the coming up of e-eleven; the fierce fight against Fayose in 2005-2006 and his forceful removal from power, your roles in ensuring that two of your members became flag bearers of two major political parties and the eventual bloody clash that saw the two gladiators being in Courts for almost 4 years and the ultimate power takeover by one of them opened my eyes more to your political astituteness and dogged determination to succeed in all that you laid your hands on. Aside this, as a Senator of the Federal Republic, I never heard your name associated with any unholy things during the time, but this is not to say that the people were really happy with you in all entirety.
Distinguished Senator, you knew when I started the Segun Oni’s project and you knew the passion I put into it despite the fact that i was never a practising politician. You knew the roles I played in trying to bring you and Segun Oni together to form a strong alliance that would be unbeatable, even before JKF showed interest.( Segun Oni and your good self can attest to this fact)
Throughout the entire pre-primary election brickbats throwing and wars of words, I never made the mistake of making any aspirant an enemy, simply because I was rooting for Segun Oni. KA is OK, MOB, Gbenga Aluko, Bodunde Adeyanju( my childhood friend) and few others at one time or the other approached me for friendly talks and even at a time, the Party appreciated my roles openly. I never at any time had issue with anyone, because my ultimate vision is for a better Ekiti.
When you started your gubernatorial campaign with a big bang, the whole of Ekiti felt the vibrations. You used so many adjectives to describe yourself, “BOLD, COURAGEOUS, GO GETTER”, etc. All these adjectives and more are qualities a good leader must have and honesty, you have many of them except two:-, ” QUITTER and ANGER”!
My brother, I was shocked to the marrows when you opted out of the primary election after the botched one and you did this without consulting your constituency and all your followers who had built their destinies into your ambition. They might not have given you money, but they gave more than money. They gave their times, their commitments and placed their political future within your dream. You let them down and even when you opted out, you did not give them any specific instruction as to who the loose structure should work for. They became sheep without a Shepherd. This particular action, precipitated by instant anger and impulse, are to me very, very regrettable.
In one of her books, Erelu Bisi Fayemi mentioned you and the noble roles you played when JKF was to become Ekiti Governor in 2007. Your good self, JKF and MOB came from Lagos like three musketeers and took Ekiti by the storm. What could have happened between you guys that are not amenable? MOB, despite the bitter quarrel between him and JKF resolved and would even have given his life in the cause of JKF’s, if not for God. Why can’t you, for the sake of those who had built their destinies within your own vision give rooms for an all encompassing amity and in the spirit of what had brought you guys together, strengthen yourselves and extend hands of fellowship? You may not have thought of it, but I must say that you guys are the fortunate ones, who God specially selected to help Ekiti.
Today, MOB and his followers won’t have any reason to complain and neither will Prince Adeyeye and his people, neither would BAFEM nor others who extended hands of fellowship and embraced the outcome of the primary election with the mindsets of sportsmen and women . While I do not agree with the insinuation that some people are being marginalised and deprived of their “rights” to contest, ( I’m not privy to anything and neither do I belong to any Committee), the fact also remains that with benefit of hindsight, JKF would not open his eyes wide and allow himself to be boxed into a corner at a latter day. He will do his utmost, just as you would do if you are in his shoes, to protect his incoming government from those who may not be totally loyal to his cause. That’s not “despotism”, but defence mechanism.
Coming to my person, I believe that in Ekiti, I’ve also paid my dues, despite the fact that I’m not a full time politician. I spent 20 years in the National Directorate of Employment and I can’t remember the number of Ekiti youths and retirees that I’ve assisted in the course of my official duties as Small Scale Industries Officer. Also, as Assistant Director in the Federal Character Commission, as well as the State Coordinator of Ondo- State and later Ekiti- State for 5 years, I also touched lives by being instrumental for giving life jobs to some Ekiti youths and graduates.
I served as a Member/ Secretary with notable Ekiti people; with Chief Deji Fasuan as Chairman, Ekiti- State Government Advisory Committee between 2003-2006 and as an engine room of the Committee,most of the projects Fayose did during those periods came from my pen and ink.
Today, the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Innovation and Support Services of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti is my initiative. I created the office I occupy and the records are there. I wrote a “Concept Paper” for the setting up of the Centre to the University Management and I also wrote the synopsis and the course contents of what the General Studies Directorate of the University is using to teach both 100 and two hundred level students of the University till date.
With all humility, I want to say that there are many people who had held big political offices and who cannot match my achievement, in terms of advancement and contributions to enhance humanity.
If JKF feels I have to be part of his government, I believe I deserve it, just as any other Ekiti person who has something to offer, but I won’t go on bended kneel to get it.
Truth may be bitter, but it must be said, no matter how it is viewed by the person it’s directed at.
My distinguished brother, you are good, but I feel bad that you can build a house and also using your own hands, trying to pull it down. You guys are just fortunate, not that you are better than the rest of us.
Just like I told Segun Oni at one time, my passion is for Ekiti and not government appointment. As a Deputy Director ( Entrepreneurship), I know what I can do with my hands to earn decent living. Think of your followers and close rank with your colleagues to take Ekiti to a greater heights.
If JKF deems it fit to offer me any position, I will take it, but won’t be through bootlicking or do eye service, to get one.
I’m just being realistic with you and if your perception is of me is what you have said to me, I would say, it’s rather unfortunate.
Good morning, distinguished; wishing you a happy day.
Lanre Ogunjobi
