The Nigerian political landscape unarguably presents a panoramic or kaleidoscopic view of the country’s socio-political complexity and contradictions. Nigeria’s politics is said to be murky; it is soaked in duplicity and it is cantankerously corrupt. Though a democracy, Nigeria’s affairs are ironically and perplexingly run with feudalistic and monarchical iron hands at all levels by its largely predatory political elite, to the physical and spiritual depression of its people. Yet its people are vibrant and critical. Laws exist copiously, but side by side, its politics, governance and bureaucracy or public administration in general, are dubiously and ruinously run on the unacceptable, unfair and unjust wheel and ethos of arbitrariness permissible only in Hobbesian’s nasty, brutish and short state of nature. \
Nigeria is such a state where a good man who would have been a transformatory agent in leadership position will not blink to conclude and say, excuse me, let it affairs be left for the political pigs that can swim and survive in the filthy waters of its politics. Of this nagging politics, Professors Ayoade, Akinsanya and Ojo had graphically written: “Nigerian politics is an interestingly complex phenomenon just as Nigerian politicians are a rare breed of creative clumsiness. The combination of Nigerian politics and Nigerian politicians is an egregious complexity unequalled anywhere else in the world. The Nigerian environment which threw up the Nigerian politics and Nigerian politicians is said to be rich in ecological and human diversity that is capable of producing complex challenges that only politicians who have learned not to be part of the problems can resolve”.
One of such politicians who as a rare breed, has refused to be part of the Nigerian problem is, Chief Adebisi Akande who turns 80 years today, January 16. Unlike most politicians of the present dispensation, Akande entered the terrain of the Nigerian politics with a heart of selfless service. This is very evident in the honest and transparent manner he had held all political and administrative positions his people, fate and God had entrusted to him in the last close to five decades of his political career. Drafted into politics by the military in 1971 by his appointment as a member of his native Ila Local Government Management Committee, Akande is a symbol and curriculum on the extent to which, humility, submission to political tutelage, honesty, perseverance, prudence, accountability, selflessness, truthfulness, loyalty and ideological commitment grounded in single-mindedness can throw up one as a political giant and an elder-statesman. As a young boy from the ancient city of Ila-Orangun in Osun State, he set out to be an auto or motor mechanic; fate however twisted his ambition on the path of Western education and the “political engineering” of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which had seen him serve selflessly as a councillor, member of the Nigerian Constituent Assembly that wrote the 1979 constitution, foundation member of the Unity Party of Nigeria; and later the “Oyo State executive party member of the UPN; state deputy chairman of the party and a member of UPN’s National Executive Committee; Secretary to the Old Oyo State Government; Deputy Governor of Old Oyo State; an Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition leader; co-author of Yoruba Agenda; Governor of Osun State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) (1999 – 2003) and also leader of national progressive political parties – AD; Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). With a family background of warriors, Chief Akande has stood out as a very “blunt, frank, and fearless” leader. In political debates and controversies, his wits are never at the lose ends. In politics, he has had his long walk of suffering. For instance in 1983, he was jailed for 42 years by the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari for what was described as conspiracy” to unlawfully enrich his party” then, the UPN. Ironically while serving out his term as interim chairman of APC, he earned a personal written commendation from President Muhammadu Buhari for being a honest leader. His bluntness has also earned him detractors who have misconstrued his selflessness as self-conceit, a quality that would have better understood and appreciated in a better clime. His traits of frugality and accountability, and his strong believe in party discipline and supremacy have made him a strong advocate of re-adoption of the parliamentary executive system in Nigeria, of which the debate has not ceased.
In his years as the governor of Osun State, he laid the infrastructural foundation of the state; promoted science and technology, curbed debt and corruption to the chagrin and chaff of some of his political associates and enemies alike. This, for instance, consisted in the banning of the Office of the First Lady during his tenure as the governor of Osun State and the serving of food leftovers in a day, the next day to residents of government house. Indeed, Akande’s essence in politics and governance one cannot but captures in this adapted poetic frame:
“A favourite of Heavens, whom the sons of men, the equals have agreed to raise sovereign power, and set as a rule over themselves… His art clothed in purple and seated on a throne; the crown of majesty invests his temples, the Sceptre of power is placed in his hand; but not for himself were these ensigns given; not for his own, but the good of his kingdom. The glory of a king is the welfare of his people; his power and dominion rest on the hearts of his subjects. The mind of a great prince is exalted with the grandeur of his situation; he resolves high things, and search for business worthy of his power.
He call together the wise men of his kingdom, he consults among them with freedom, and hears the opinion of them all.
He looks among his people with discernment; he discovers the abilities of men and employ them according to their merits.
His Magistrates are just, his Ministers are wise and the favourite of his bosom deceives him not. He smiles on the arts, and they flourish; sciences improve beneath the culture of his hand.
With the learned and ingenious he delights himself, he kindles in their breast evaluation, and the glory of his kingdom is exalted by their labours…
He foundeth his judgments on the principles of mercy; but in the punishment of offenders, he is strict and impartial.
His ears are open to complaints of his subjects; he restrains the hands of their oppressors, and delivers them from tyranny….
His people therefore look up to him as a father (Baba omo kekeke), with reassurance and love; they consider him as the guardian of all they enjoy”.
This is the context of power and governance that defines Chief Adebisi Akande. Happy birthday.
- Dr. Adebisi is of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State.
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