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Let me start this piece with a few clarifications, just in case it may be appropriate to insulate anyone from whatever interpretation that could be given to this position.
I take the fullest responsibility for this piece, done exclusively by me without prompting or prodding by or from or at the instance of anyone.
I apologise to my friends and respected leaders whose “Bimbo Just Keep Quiet” admonition I may be violating, as you all know about me, i am a conviction driven person and some things I owe myself as a duty.
At this age there is nothing to fear again.
Even when I was a lot younger I never entertained fear and consequences of my actions, so not now, its too late.
What’s the worst anyway? For the the past ten years I have not drank a cup of water as a political position holder and God has been faithful beyond estimation.
Even what I could not achieve as a political position holder, God in his infinite mercies has granted me all.
Governor Oyebanji please forgive me for talking and you know me a little, in this instance and pretty much like all the instances where I had in the past, they were ALL born out of exigencies because to a little extent I am not just another politician doing things for political correctness.
But more importantly because I am not just a witness to our political journey in Ekiti State over the last twenty five years, I have been a player, I wore jersey and was not just sitting in the cloak room or benched by the pitch.
This position has surely availed me the knowledge of a few things and in our determined effort to move from “continuity to consolidation”, there are things that must be consigned to the dark recesses of our political history, such acts and actions that must not get into the bag we are packing for the trip into our future starting from the present.
I believe the understanding of the above among others must have informed Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s attitude of all embracing and welcoming inclusiveness that is now being referred to and diatribed as “iru wa Ogiri wa politics”.
Today’s Governor Biodun Oyebanji as someone who served as Secretary of the Committee for the creation of Ekiti State at some point, which revisionists want to attack and deride by saying that someone handed over to him, [ i wonder if these people even think?]
Yes someone was initially appointed and he travelled and then young Oyebanji, evidently the youngest was found as a worthy successor for Christ’s sake! How has that vitiated the historical fact about his membership?
If he was incapable nobody would have picked to him to replace the person who left, and now made to serve in that all important position in the Committee populated by all these eminent Nigerian personalities of Ekiti extraction. The best in our stock.
Would these kind of stickler for details people brook a nonentity for the role of a secretary? Hell No!
So pleaseee let’s hear word abeg!
Anyway “Abo wa ba niyen”..
So that Oyebanji served in that committee at such a young age veritably puts him ahead everyone else including all that had become Governor and that will become Governor by reason of being the head of the Secretariat, a position that most likely would have put him in VIRTUALLY all meetings and of course most likely afforded him the opportunity to contribute at that young age.
Ok let’s assume without conceding that he was tight lipped [ and Oyebanji that i know is very sound; quiet but not unintelligent! , he is not a dumb ass!
But to please naysayers, let’s assume that he didn’t even say a word, what nobody in his right frame of mind won’t deny is that fact that he must have listened to nearly ALL DELIBERATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ALL OUR GRAND FATHERS WHO CONSTITUTED THE COMMITTEE THAT BERTHED WHAT WE NOW KNOW AS EKITI STATE.
I was not there but I believe that the committee must have also discussed the All important issue of SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND UNITY AMONG THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW EKITI STATE AS WAS THEN BEING ENVISIONED.
Again not being there, and i have not seen the report of their deliberations, I believe that PEACE AND WELL BEING of our people must have been discussed, because how much of infrastructural development can happen in an atmosphere of permanent hate, disharmony, acrimony or rancour?
So apart from the vintage positioning of the then young Biodun Oyebanji in that committee, what we cannot deny is that he must have walked away from that participation with some things permanently etched in his mind, for God’s sake these were his impressionable years of his life. And I am sure he never saw this day coming.
For me the peace we have in Ekiti State today as evidenced by the convergence of consensus [?] of the people driven desire, buoyed by performance to have him keep his job at Oke Ayoba must have come from not only his personal comportment and self inspired decision to commit to unite all Ekitis.
As at today, at least for anyone that makes himself reconciliaable, Oyebanji has succeeded at reconciling them to a very large extent as never witnessed in our hitherto beleagured state with her traumatised citizens.
For those who are old enough to know, they know where we are coming from. No matter how casual it is being viewed today. I know better.
That we have the present peaceful spectacle in place, cannot just be disregarded as nothing or casualised, that will be unfair to the man who was pivotal to this major accomplishment alongside others by the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration.
If it was that easy, how come we did not achieve this in the latter days of the days of the one we agree and call Omoluabi Governor, H.E Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo?
From Otunba’s latter days to the administration of irrepresible stormy petrel himself, Dr Ayodele Peter Fayose[ Peter the rock] whose first time got embroiled in so much of what Yorubas call “Gbonmisi omi o to”.
Or in deed are we oblivious of what we went through during the tenure of the man who we all agree to be the hallmark of Gentlemanliness, Governor Adebayo Olusegun Oni and even to the first term of demure visaged Governor John Kayode Fayemi and their second terms?
All these administrations travelled a bumpy road that did not spare us any discomfort as a people and State.
So why are we playing the ostrich, pretending and refusing not to admit that that was the scenario and with attendant costs not only on arrested development both physical and human but also in bruised and death of many innocent compatriots.
But in less than three years, Governor Oyebanji had earned his flowers and we must be humble enough to admit that, that’s only the fair thing that decent people do in decent society.
As they say in Yoruba, “Ohun agba o see, Omode ti se”. This is not a spite on anyone,not at all.. these are just the historical realities.
If Governor Oyebanji had wanted to go the path of some of his predecessors, by now Ekiti would have been going through another orgy of politically inspired violence with the attendant costs on Governance grinding to a halt and casualties in human costs.
Take yours truly for instance, what circumstances informed my six months leave from the party that we slaved for and built together with other compatriots with our modest means, energy and might for twenty something years plus?
Then came in Governor Biodun Oyebanji who one could say had reasons to fire back since i did not support him at the primary or General elections three years ago for thesame reason that informed my exit and agreeing with the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele who also contested against him back then to heal that wound.
If naysayers would say mindlessly and of course erroneously that my reason for leaving was because ambition, What would they say about the rash of suspension and expulsion that typified the administration of Oyebanji’s predecessor?
What would they say about the State directed and choreographed prouncement of formal WANTED and DECLARATION TO BE ARRESTED[DEAD OR ALIVE] BY NIGERIA POLICE, on the following persons? Senators Babafemi Abdulganiyy Ojudu, Dayo Adeyeye, Tony Adeniyi, Hon Oyetunde Ojo, Bimbo Daramola, Hon.Dr. Adewale Ominrin, and not to mention the factionalisation of the party through to its foundation? .
But today all that have dissolved and fizzled out like they never existed because of the “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” Politics of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
But this piece is also mainly informed by the fast trending statesment from the last APC State Caucus meeting that held at Governor Niyi Adebayo’s place in Iyin.
The success of the caucus meeting is about to be covered and overturned by the diatribe of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s aversion for the “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” politics of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Before I return to the subject matter, who is/are the ultimate beneficiary and beneficiaries of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s politics of Iru Wa Ogiri Wa?
In the light of the background of the picture I earlier painted about where we are coming from?
I dare say internally, at least all of us hitherto excommunicated may as well fit into that mould.
In anycase according to Yorubas really, “Iru wa, Ogiri Wa” as a literary description may actually depend on the context of usage and deployment but in reality terms, our Great Grandmothers, will surely tell that “Iru wa Ogiri Wa, ma mu obe ko dun ni..if applied in good mearsure as Oyebanji is doing and the result is showing!
Anyway this last caucus meeting was so well attended by people from across the State, this was not the situation until Oyebanji’s ascention to this position, before now and attendance did not have many coming, that’s if and when the meeting held, today a lot of reconciled leading lights of the party now turn up in their numbers in honour of the “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” politics of Governor Oyebanji.
Among other things to celebrate apart from the huge attendance of members, was also the popular renewal of the massive endorsements and popular expression of Ekiti APC’s desire to have President Bola Tinubu GCFR for the second term, and also same extended to our Governor, H.E Biodun Oyebanji and her deputy, H.E Chief Mrs Monisade Christiana Afuye for the Second term having earned it by facts.
These decisions were put to vote and there was yet again a rapturous acceptance of these resolutions.
Of course H.E Otunba Niyi Adebayo Charged party faithful to go back to the wards and work hard not only for the ticket as we approach the October 27;2025 date of Gubernatorial primary election in Ekiti State and also the General election next year.
Governor Fayemi, whose presence was pleasantly received by party members having been conspicuously absent at two related meetings i. e the State Endorsement of PBAT/BAO-MCA and the Nomination form submission event in Abuja, he spoke in thesame direction with H.E Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo and re emphasised his membership of the APC, he urged on the need to work for the Oyebanji’-Afuye’s second term
However, while giving his remarks, he did not hide his aversion to, if not revulsion for Oyebanji’s “Iru wa, Ogiri Politics which i believe has “inter and intra” party dimensions.
For obvious reasons, I guess he may be excused for the “intra” because he openly defined what i would describe as the “inter” with particular reference to the heavy presence of the Supporters of Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose and the Oshoko family at the Nomination form submission in Abuja.
Unfortunately this comment is gaining traction in the public space till this day, indeed at the forum of Southern Legislators that I attended the day after in Abeokuta, not a few persons kept asking me about the latest addition to our Politics and political lexicon, what is now known as “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” politics.
The truth as we know it and all agree to is that POLITICS REMAIN A GAME OF NUMBERS, an average politician or political party wants to win elections as a means to power WILL NEVER UNDERESTIMATE OR DISPARAGE SUPPORT FROM ANY QUARTER.
In a way it may be likened to what Late Tai Solarin said, “if the devil 😈 offers you education, take it ..” when you have the education, you are in a better to understand the devil and how to relate !!”
It will be grand delusion of grandeur on the party of anyone least of all a politician to be sanctimonious, which is simply without any colouration what the characterisation and profiling of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and by extension President Tinubu’s support base will amount to.
On the day of election, there is no ballot paper for APC or marked for dye in wool APC people and there is no ballot paper marked for Dr. Ayodele Fayose and his teeming Oshoko family and supporters that we now have supporting the aspiration of Ekiti APC by extension Ekiti people to return Governor Biodun Oyebanji to Oke Ayoba in June 2026 and PresidentBolaTinubu in 2027 as declared by the political giant in person of Governor Fayose.
To the best of my knowledge, what any sincere person both APC members and non members want is that we return Oyebanji back in 2026 by the grace of God and to achieve this we need as many as possible to make this happen, regaling innocent party faithful with a separationist rationalisation of who is who may be counter productive for all its worth.
When Governor Biodun Oyebanji eventually spoke, at the caucus meeting, the “Fiwalopo of Ekiti” was all embracing, copiously urging that there must be no Peter or Paul or Apollo” going forward, asking party people not to fight anyone supporting any other aspirant, as everyone has that right to seek the ticket of the party, and that after primary election we all will be back as one.
Any sincere and discerning person knows that if we push this puritanistic politics to its hilt or limits the consequences may be dire, because we will be igniting unsavoury sentiments against our candidate and party that we do not need, make no mistakes about it, APC MEMBERS ALONE CANNOT GIVE US VICTORY!
That Governor Fayose and his Oshoko family are supporting Governor Oyebanji should be seen, taken and appreciated as a big plus and complement for our sincere wish to return our PARTY [APC] and our choice [Governor Biodun Oyebanji] back to Oke Bareke in 2026.
This is this not simple and clear enough.
Certainly not to return anyone else, of course this support also goes for President Bola Tinubu as variously declared by the head of the Oshoko dynasty in person of Governor Fayose. He has never hid that.
It is just that Governor Ayodele Fayose like another Scorpio ♏️ i.e children born in November are typically conviction driven, we are up front people, we are very expressive, and that’s a plus for us, because its impacting our mobilisation efforts for and behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji and President Bola Tinubu except to those who may feel otherwise.
In anycase Former Governor Segun Oni until lately had also publicly aligned and reprimanded many of his supporters who do anything to the contrary particularly when he refused the fifth columnists who went and pasted posters bearing his name.
But more importantly, And for more clarity and proper contextualisation and more emphasis if there is anyone that should appreciate if not venerate “Iru Wa Ogiri Wa Politics of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, that person without doubt should be Governor John Kayode Fayemi.
As a member of his inner Strategy committee for Seven years, I can attest to the many clandestine meetings with thesame Governor Ayodele Fayose that culminated in my humble self, having to meet the Oshoko family at his Afao home a number of times in the giddy days leading to the feisty re-run election and also myself and today’s Senator Yemi Adaramodu were emissaries and go between to deliver messages..
This was in the thick of another court ordered re-run election that Dr Kayode Fayemi was the candidate against Governor Segun Oni, this is well known to Dr Fayemi and cannot be denied.
I still have the memos from our Strategy sessions and the role of Governor Fayose in the matrix of prosecuting that re run are detailed there, they are substantial and immense, in one of those extreme instances, at his father’s burial, as “omo-oloogbe” clad in stripped brown Aso Oke he emerged and walked through the huge crowd of those who attended the reception with a placard bearing VOTE JKF… to the consternation of every one and much later on a bike through Ado Ekiti with thesame placard!
So what was good for the goose 🪿 back in 2009 is no longer good for the gander in 2025? Habaa now..!
Back then we reached out and sought the support of thesame man, it was not Iru wa Ogiri Wa then?
If anyone has been consistent in all of these, I would say the person is Governor Ayodele Fayose who also supported US but also refused to join our party, the then ACN and said that everytime!
So there is a manifest historical parallel
If the young ones are too young not to know, i.e; as they say, ” ti omode o ba mo itan, a ba aroba, Aroba de ni Baba itan”.
Well to our young friends, this is the “Aroba” that you need to know and appropriately contextualise the politics of “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” according to Governor Fayemi.
Interestingly, Another major difference in the entire spectacle is the fact that it would appear like Governor Oyebanji had earned the love of Governor Fayose by himself contrary to the scenario with Governor Fayemi which had huge brokerage input of the then Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, today the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, this being one of his many far reaching and huge investments and efforts to ensure that the then Dr. John Kayode Fayemi become the Governor of Ekiti State, and that happened ultimately.
Political inclusiveness beyond its attraction for electoral victory is very pivotal to peace building as every sincere leader will agree to.
I honestly wish that our party will know this, when attempts are being made to make Governor Oyebanji look bad with the false narrative that Oyebanji has giving “ALL” the positions to Fayose, that is from the pit of hell.
Governor Oyebanji clarified this at one of the State Caucus meetings earlier in the year, where he said over 2000 members party faithful have been appointed or engaged in one form or the other and out of all these Governor Fayose does not have up to twenty five!!! So why this WRONG AND DEFECTIVE LIE?
Let’s be reminded that Stanford brilliant Professor turned one time National Security Adviser of the United States of America, a dye in wool Republican did not support President Trump, likewise the Bush family not forgetting the well loved war time tested General Colin Powel who supported Obama and Joe Biden.
Do we really want to go back to the separatist days of tears bruises and blood in Ekiti State?
The agenda setting for future political maturity in our State has started with Governor Oyebanji’ thoughtfulness, this does not imply the dearth or death of opposition, it only preaches tolerance and accomondation, likewise State building cannot be nurtured in a perpetual sand of hate.
BAO’s politics of “Iru wa Ogiri Wa” has become a template for any Governor that will come after him in 2030 by the grace of God who wants to serve his term in peace.
This has become a veritable BAO legacy for which he must be commended, celebrated and not demonised or chastised for accomplishing what nobody before him had.
I am sure this must be one of the insights taken from being a ring side player during the Ekiti State committee work for the state creation.
Lets be honest people, We have a state to build and that is the duty of all, reminded that the person in opposition today may be in the ruling party tommorow, peace does not have partisan colouration.
Whoever says peace is cheap should cost the price of war
You cannot repudiate a path that has proved to be unassaiably desirable, that has turned out to be one of the greatest strengths of Governor Oyebanji
If Oyebanji had chosen to be hostile and continue in the track of some of his predecessors, by now our state would be on the boil and we know who the casualties will be .
Yesterday may not be recoverable but we can learn from it and use the lessons therefrom to protect, secure and insulate our present and future from the blood stains of the past.
We cannot forever demonise some people for the roles they play today while we indeed cannonise other persons particularly when exigency placed thesame demand on us on the way to our desired destination at some point in our political history.
Building a state of our desire will ultimately demand the inputs of everyone in one way or the other if we agree that peace is sine qua non to that.
If Governor Fayemi is rankled by the 16-0 jab, jeer and pokes of Governor Fayose i.e for defeating us roundly in 2014, let Gov. Fayemi hit Gov.Fayose with the poke that he is the only Governor in Ekiti State history who had handed over to successor that he chose, both scenarios are facts of history.
After all Governor Fayose hits H.E Otunba Richard Adeniyi with his ” i defeated two Governors jibe” yet Otunba has not gone overboard with remarks that could detract the support base, the destination is the goal.
Governor Fayemi to my mind should rather see Governor Fayose’s embrace of Governor Oyebanji, the way everyone likes to carry “beautiful babies” and rock them, give them gifts, but the FACT is that no matter how well you rock or embrace someone else’s baby, you will ultimately return the baby to the mother at some point.
That way he won’t have to deride the inclusive attitude and Governor Oyebanji’s politics of “Iru Wa Ogiri Wa ” which is one of his greatest strenghts and in the interest of our battle weary people and our dear State just coming out of the pains of the past.
ONCE AGAIN “IRU WA OGIRI WA” IS NOT REALLY NEGATIVE TO THOSE WHO UNDERSTANDS YORUBA.
ITS ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING THE MORE THE MERRIER !
Can you love yourself and be sticking pins 📌 into your body?
Have a great Sunday my People and lovely week ahead..
Congressman Bimbo Daramola is a chieftain of the APC and former member of National Assembly.