Hottestgistnaija.com
- 2020
HE Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR,
Executive Governor, Ogun State.
Excellency Sir,
The above title of this open letter refers. As a group of concerned youth stakeholders within Ogun APC, we are hereby constrained to tow this path in ventilating our concerns and grievances arising from your recently released appointments, especially that of the Special Assistant on Youth Affairs; as an example.
Let us state quickly that, this letter is not intended to cast aspersion on the beneficiary of that appointment, Lamide Lawal, whom we know has also worked enough to earn himself one form of compensation or the other. We are also not castigating your prerogative of judgement and right of choice in making the appointment.
However, our grievance and concern stems from the need to amend a faulty process and stop the bad politics, wicked tendencies and ‘god-like’ disposition of those that midwifed the final recommendation of the appointee to you. Unfortunately and typical with most leaders, you were unaware of the undercurrents that played out. We are concerend also about the propensity of these persons to undermine this administration with their hidden agenda.
Now to the hard facts:
It is not under any doubt that the youth constituency in Ogun APC have been a vibrant arm that contributed immensely to the victory of the party in the last election. Right from the battle with Amosun and his APM army and even after the election, the youth group continue to be involved in all mobilization and sensitization activities aimed at entrenching this administration; especially from the Tribunal process all through to the Supreme court victory.
Central to all these effort is Debo Aroboto whose effort and leadership is under no controversy, especially to those who have not chosen to wear the gown of hypocrisy. Right from the outset, his countless contribution has always been youth mobilization, advocacy and sensitization; Of course that is not to say others did not do well in this regard, but efforts must be valued accordingly.
Lamide Lawal on the other hand, is also a vibrant hand in the system, especially in the new media sphere, propagating our activities on social media; a reliable foot soldier in this regard and more. For anyone who has been a keen follower of these structure will know that Lamide Lawal’s core competence and contribution has always been social media right from when he was recruited into the YAYI (Senator Olamilekan Adeola) political structure, working with likes of Ojo Emmanuel, Damilola Ogunpola and others; before they all joined Dapo Abiodun, following the return of YAYI to his Lagos political base.
When the race for this appoitnments began, we learnt that Debo Aroboto inidicated interest and legitimately lobbied for it. The powers that be (the cabal around Mr Governor) assured that he was qualified for it and that he has earned it by his works. At this time, Lamide Lawal was not in the picture for SA Youths as he was pencilled down for SA New media to work with Ojo Emmanuel who is SSA New Media.
As days went by, certain developments played out. The cabal began swapping the prospective appointments. Ojo Emmanuel vehemently rejected having an SA because he wants to protect his monopoly of New Media arm of government media machinery. The cabal then suggested giving Lamide Lawal SA Students Affairs, but Azeez Adeyemi was radical in preserving his nomination.
Afterwards, they decided to move Lamide to SA Youth affairs. That created a challenge, but the cabal said that Aroboto can be sacrificed because he was not a loyal boy of the cabal and has not shown readiness to shift loyalty and join the underground agenda for 2023. All efforts by Aroboto to convince the cabal not to deprive him of his reward fell on deaf ears; and subsequently, Lamide Lawal was given the appointment.
Now, this is done and dusted and just a latest example of the type of mischief and trickery of the cabal, but there are other inferences and implications for the future:
Who are the cabal, why are they so powerful and what is their agenda?
Your Excellency, the cabal in this current system are the die-hard supporters of Lagos Senator, Olamilekan Adeola popularly called YAYI and they currently litter your government. These people worked for your election alongside many other stakeholders and groups.
These YAYI men and women have been overcompensated with Commissioners, Special Advisers, Consultants, SSAs, SAs and huge numbers in the recently constituted Local Government Caretaker Committees. Not only have they strategically positioned themselves, they are now influencing who gets or don’t get rewarded in this government; which for us is crux of the matter.
It is sad that these people are using their privileged positions around you to frustrate other stakeholders in the party. A lot of people are silently frustrated at the turn of things in a party/government they all worked to install. Even the party (Cheif Yemi Sanusi-led caretaker executive) is reported to be frustrated as their statutory duties have been usurped by known appointees of Mr Governor.
The YAYIst have frustrated Biodun Akinlade, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, Senator Lekan Tejuosho, Bimbo Ashiru, Prince Segun Adesegun, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Senator Obadara and many more; who have all kept studied silence till the right time to act. It is not out of place to assume that our Baba, Chief Osoba is observing silence of an elder.
Now certain posers become pertinent:
Is this government a government of HE Prince Dapo Abiodun or that of Lagos Senator, Olamilekan Adeola YAYI?
Must people go to pledge underground loyalty to YAYI (at Ikeja or Abuja) before they are positioned for reward in this administration?
Is there no place for people that worked for this government or have relevant competencies and merit appointments, contracts, and other empowerments; without going through this cabal?
Why are ‘trusted’ aides of Mr Governor maintaining double loyalty and still receiving constant monies from YAYI to keep their loyalty?
What really is YAYI agenda 2023 which members of this cabal are pursuing underground and recruiting people (across the state) into everyday; Is it for Ogun West Senate or Governorship?
Why are these cabal members very confident of always posing with YAYI in public and telling people openly to do YAYI; without fear of backlash from Mr Governor. Is this to suggest that HE is part of (and agreeable to) the grand plot or is too weak to check the cabal’s balooning excesses?
With firm control of government in their hands, why are the cabal (YAYIst) also desperate for total party control with the way they have drawn up the list of full party exco from the state down to the wards; that will be announced any time soon?
Is Mr Governor’s indifference not indicative of a chief execitive who has been gagged or totally oblivious of the devious schemings around him; where himself may be sitting on a keg of political gunpowder enroute 2023?
Now, the following implications are grave:
The unity of this party is threatened due to the silent dissafection of many important stakeholders.
Members of the party are already seeing Mr Governor as unable to assert his power to even implement some of his own personal convictions; politically and in policy direction.
A lot of party members and the general public see this administration as a “closed-government”; inaccessible, elitist, sectional and narrow.
We face uncertain times ahead in preserving our hold on the party and government if urgent steps are not taken to amend the issues.
Finally Your Excellency, we love this party and worked hard for its success against a hostile and strong competitor in Amosun.
Government is big and wide enough to accommodate everyone if there is sincerity of purpose. No single group should see themselves as owners of this government and deprive others of due rewards.
As Governor, you are the leader of this party and the buck stops at your table. Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun are bearing the cross of their administration today. In the end, if all doesn’t end well (God forbid), no one will call the names of these persons but it will be said that, Dapo Abiodun did this or didn’t do this while in office.
Its four months to your one year anniversary and the time is ticking. 2023 politics will come faster than expected and governance may take backstage. At this type of time, you will need everyone to stand the heat from know external opposition and opposition within.
As youths and leaders of tomorrow, we shall leave you with an advise; “Any Leader that will fall, is first deprived of good and honest advisers”. Sir, do well to seek better cooperation of relevant stakeholders of this party with palliative steps. Do well also to observe carefully, the actions and motive of your close aides begin cutting their excesses.
A leader doesnt become unpopular in one day, it takes sequence of actions over a period of time. You are a food man with good heart and we wish you all the best Sir.
E- Signed:
President
Hon. Adeniji Michael
APC Youth Movement
Hon. Sulaimon Bello
Secretary
APC Youth Movement
