Efforts to reconcile Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin ( Oyo South District) may have hit the rock, following the alleged defection of the senator to the Accord Party (AP). Correspondent OSEHEYE OKWUOFU examines the implications of the protracted rift for the progressive family in the Pacesetter state.
BEFORE the 2015 governorship primaries and general elections, the relationship between Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin was very cordial. They were always seen together, discussing how to improve the fortunes of their party in the elections .
They were determined to contribute their quota towards ensuring that the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now All Progressive Congress (APC) wrestled power from the self-acclaimed largest party in Africa , the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At that time, the entire state was on its knees due to violence, thuggery, killings and maimings and misrule by the PDP government.
But the shadow poll drew nearer when the existing camps within the party started to manifest. On the surface, the contenders – Ajimobi, Lanlehin, Chief Ismail Adewusi, Barrister Kazeem Adedeji and Chief Soji Akanbi – were full of eagerness, but a deep rancour was gradually developing underneath.
At the Olubadan Stadium, Ibadan, the venue of the primary election, close allies were compelled to break into camps, as many party stalwarts openly and overtly identified with the contestants of their choice.
The bubble later burst when Senator Ajimobi was affirmed as the winner of the election. Other contestants, including Lanlehin, cried blue murder, dismissing the process that led to the emergence of Ajimobi as a hoax.
Concerned party stalwarts, led by the late party leader and former governor, Lam Adesina, swung into action, with the hope of pacifying all the aggrieved aspirants.
In a short while, the efforts to pacify the aggrieved co-contestants paid off relatively, as some accepted party offers and gave peace a chance.
The rest, is history. The party, after a keenly contested poll, defeated the PDP in the election. Thus, while Ajimobi emerged as the governor, Lanlehin, came out victorious in the senatorial election.
Rather than abating, certain contentious and divisive issues within the party, particularly between Ajimobi and Lanlehin, continued to fester.
Many outside the state have intervened to end crisis between the governor and Lanlehin. Some concerned stakeholders who are still confused about the cause of the rift between the two ‘brothers’ have continued to ask what really went wrong between them. There are other puzzles. why can’t they bury the differences and focus on consolidating on the achievements of the party in the last three years and work on regaining the state in next year’s election?
Ajimobi has been less inclined to discussing the rift between him and Senator Lanlehin in the public. Even when asked by journalists curious about the sore relationship, he often replied casually that “Lanlehin and others are envious about his seat.“ He added howver that such rivalry is normal in many other political climes .
Dr Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser on Media to the governor recently gave clues on the disagreement between his boss and Lanlehin when he said that many political associates are not concerned about what would uplift the society. He said most elected leaders spend their tenure just giving the people tokens, but squander the resources of the state massaging the ego of the elite. This leaves the people more impoverished at the end of the ir tenure.
“Hitherto, the order was government constructing roads that lasted less that six months. Right now, anyone who had stayed two years out of Oyo State would certainly not be able to recognise the state capital any longer and many other towns in the state. An aggressive road dualisation is ongoing , which baffles many. The number and quality of roads being built in Oyo State is alien and their qualify are alien to the geography of the state. Indeed, the type our people see in the Federal Capital Territory are being replicated in virtually all over the state.“
Observers say Ajimobi’s style of governance might be responsible for his inability to carry some key party members along. Adedayo said his failure to democratise the largesse of government, and the grave fear that comes from the speed at which he (Ajimobi) is transforming the state could possibly wipe off the political career of many governors and politicians before him and bury the political future of many.
“If you take the time to study the mantra of a few who have either left the ruling APC or declared hostility against the governor , none has faulted the fact that ,in the history of Oyo State, no governor has brought this massive development to the state as Ajimobi is doing, with the potentials that these could quadruple, if he stays in the saddle for another term in office. The accusations range from the mundane to the selfish, laughable to the uninformed,” he said.
Feelers from APC top leaders have shown that the party executive committee led by Chief Akin Oke, did not manage the rift between the governor and Lanlehin well.
On his part, Lanlehin, an old face in the politics of the Southwest, denied having any break in relations with Ajimobi, but accepted that he has an issue with the governor, who he agreed was his fellow Ibadan man working for the progress of the state.
Lanlehin who confirmed his decision to declared for the Accord Party anytime from now, said: “The problem I had with Ajimobi is that he is not carrying stakeholders along in decision- making and formulation of policies for the state, which is at variance with the manifesto of the party. He runs the state with a few cabals , thereby isolating majority of stakeholders, and he dosen’t listen to advise in implementing policies that has to do with the lives of the people of the state.”
To back his claim, Senator Lanlehin cited the massive demolition of shops in Ibadan and environs by the governor without providing alternatives for the traders.
“Although, he (Ajimobi) gave urban renewal and beautification as his reason for demolition, but you should know that such anti-people policies cannot stand. The people central to any development, so you cannot destroy their means of livelihood in the name of development. These are the issues I had against him,” he said.
The senator representing Oyo Central , Senator Ayoade Adeseun, is also believed to have an axe to grind with Governor Ajimobi , especially on the failure to carry along other stakeholders in the running of the affairs of the state.
The rumour that the senator has concluded plans to dump the party was still sketchy as at press time yesterday.
It therefore remains a herculian task for the governor and the party to work harder on membership drive, repairing damaged fences in the party. But perhaps along with the massive infrastructural development he has undertaken in the state, he stands a good chance of being re-elected next year.
