In all human affairs, there is always a time for realistic stock-taking whether as individual, collective groups, or corporate governance. Whichever way, self-evaluation is a good way to track progress, celebrate achievements, and adjust strategies. It also helps to identify strengths and weaknesses to evolve a means of overcoming them.
Looking back at history, though we may have reasons to disagree on politics or style of governance, all successive administrations that had governed Ogun State have made significant impacts in turning the state into a land of opportunities. The state is lucky to have been ruled by great minds. And great minds, they say, think alike. Beginning from the first civilian governor, Bisi Onabanjo, to Aremo Olusegun Osoba, down to Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and the incumbent Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, there has been an abiding fate in the collective vision to make the state a trailblazer in education, industry, economy, administration and good governance. The same spirit has sustained the state’s peculiar advantage as the home of foremost leaders, great icons and pioneers, distinguished scholars, boardroom gurus and top-notch professionals Nigeria has had to parade. To date, Ogun State ranks high in the human development index, the most vital resource for greatness.
It is not by accident that Ogun State has played the most significant role in moulding the stature and status of the Nigerian state since independence. From politics to administration, business to music, activism to education, Ogun State has an array of successful individuals who became national figures.
Who will forget Chief Obafemi Awolowo whose contributions to political and human capital development loom large in Nigeria’s political firmament? What about the late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), who bestrode the nation’s business and political landscape like a colossus, or Ernest Shonekan, the renowned head of interim government? In activism, the kutis-Afro music maestro, Fela Anikulapo, his brother Beko, and Dr Tai Solarin will forever be remembered for their tireless social crusade. Together, they formed the pantheon of heroes of our current democracy. The living legends among them like Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Mike Adenuga, the Sofelas, etcetera, are like the knight in shining armour.
Since it was carved out of the old western region on February on February 3, 1976, all successive administrations have played one unique role or the other in turning Ogun State into a land of opportunities. Thus, coming as the first civilian governor during the Second Republic (1979-1983), Bisi Onabanjo already had his job made easy with a clear roadmap to work with. And he gave his best to the state leveraging the oceanic plentitude of human resources available to implement his policies. His most enduring legacy is the establishment of Ogun State University (now, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye). With this vision, the university pioneered tertiary education development, turning the state into the nation’s education capital, having the highest number of universities and higher institutions of learning in the country. The university has produced several icons, administrators, business moguls, legal luminaries, educationists, literary giants, prominent entertainers as well as social and civil actors. It has also continued to attract, develop and nurture people from diverse backgrounds who are now playing pivotal roles in the phenomenal growth the state has recorded.
Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who came into the saddle after nine years of the military interregnum, served twice as governor between 1992 and 1993 in the first instance and 1999 to 2003 at the advent of the present civilian dispensation. In both instances, he consolidated the achievements of his predecessors across all sectors, especially his rural electrification and rural roads scheme which he vigorously pursued during his four-year second tenure. He resolved the age long portable water problems across the State particularly in Ijebu-Ode and its environs and brought good governance to the doorsteps of many rural dwellers in the State in accordance with the objectives of the millennium development goals (MDG). Civil servants were also accorded priority through the prompt payment of their salaries and allowances including regular promotions.
According to Governor Dapo Abiodun in one of his numerous encomiums on Chief Osoba, “throughout his leadership (in Ogun State) , Chief Olusegun Osoba navigated challenges with foresight and determination, laying the foundation for the socio-economic growth we enjoy today.”
The administration of OGD focused on industrialization and the establishment of technological educational institutions. He started the construction of Ogun state agro cargo airport in Ilishan-Remo, an international air cargo port dedicated to offering direct export of agricultural products in Ogun state and Southwest Nigeria to the international community. He also established three free trade zones in each of the senatorial districts in Ogun State, namely, the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Limited, Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ); Olokola Deep Seaport and Kajola Free Trade Zone in Ifo respectively in addition to the development of Abeokuta city center. The slogan of his administration from 2003 to 2011 was “Re-awakening the sleeping giant”.
Ibikunle Amosun also left a remarkable legacy in the development of the state with his statement of purpose, “Mission to rebuild Ogun State (MITROS). He left an indelible imprint in the sand of time with his road infrastructures and urban renewal programs which changed the face of Abeokuta, the State capital among others. In 2013 Businessday Newspaper in Lagos gave him the “Good Governor Award “ as the governor of the fastest growing state economy in Nigeria amongst several other laurels.
Under the incumbent Governor Abiodun, the state has recorded phenomenal growth both in domestic and direct foreign investments, emerging as the leading most economically viable state in Nigeria. The pursuit of his transformation agenda as encapsulated in the ISEYA- “Building Our Future together” mantra can be summed up under the banners of his aggressive infrastructure development projects, creation of an enabling environment for investment, enhanced Ease-of-Doing-Business Index among others.
His landmark achievements include massive economic growth. development of the Gateway International Agro-cargo Airport, Ilishan-Remo, Inland Dry Port, reconstruction and construction of about 600km road network across the three senatorial districts, multi-modal transport system etc.
Governor Abiodun in one of his public statements declared that Ogun State is “the fastest growing investment and commercial destination not only in Nigeria, but in the entire West African sub-region, attracting one of the highest Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and local investments.”
Ogun State deserves a candidate who can take it up from the incumbent Governor and continue the good work. Consolidating these great strides cannot happen by accident. There must be a smooth transition that can guarantee the emergence of a competent, focused, committed and visionary candidate who can continue the good work of the present administration.
Part of the reasons for the lack of continuity in development efforts in Ogun State is the absence of smooth or sustainable transition from one administration to the other. This has made the trajectory of growth haphazard, perfunctory and contradictory. Unlike Lagos State which has developed a comprehensive development master plan and a sustainable succession pattern, in Ogun State, every cycle of election has always come with acrimony and internal power squabbles. We must break loose from this trend to achieve some reasonable level of stability in the running of the affairs of the state. Without stability, the development progress of the state will be like a ball-room dance; one step forward and two steps backward.
As 2027 approaches, we cannot afford to follow the same path if we must maintain the state’s leading role as the most economically viable in Nigeria and an investment destination of choice. It’s a task before the stakeholders particularly, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
The only way to avoid a repeat of the immediate past experience is for the principal stakeholders to be open, transparent and fair in their handling of this matter. In doing so, consensus-building is very critical. Not only that a transparent and open consensus-building process will guarantee the emergence of a credible candidate but also lessens the tendency for disagreement that often results from acrimonious or bitter contests. Acrimonious political contests serve no one’s interest; it destroys the unity and internal coercion of the party and ultimately its defeat. We cannot afford to tread that path. Happily, the APC is a very strong political party that can stand any test of time time even though, we owe a duty to build and nurture it for the future prosperity of our state and our people.
In doing so, we must address the concerns of the people of Ogun West with fairness and open-mindedness, focusing on the ultimate goal of achieving a seamless power transition to the next successor in the coming dispensation. So far, Ogun West has articulated genuine reasons for seeking the governorship slot and consistently engaged the relevant stakeholders in constructive dialogue. For mutual agreement, we have to approach the issues with the spirit of give-and-take.
As an open contest, there is already an array of contenders from Ogun Central seeking the ticket of the APC. No less than six prospective aspirants of Egba extraction have signified their intention to take a shot at the governorship seat. It makes the power game more interesting and more inclusive.
Much more exciting is the fact that unlike in the past when prospective candidates from Ogun West Senatorial District are hardly favored statewide, there is currently a strong wave of bipartisan support, enthusiasm and popular movement across the length and breadth of Ogun State for the Ogun West Senator, Aremo Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi ) whose beloved mother of blessed memory fortuitously hailed from Kemta Odutolu in Abeokuta, Ogun Central Senatorial District. He currently enjoys massive support from maternal kinsmen in Abeokuta in addition to being regarded as a homeboy by his kit and kin in Ogun West.
This presents a unique opportunity for the good people of both senatorial districts to leverage their influence and goodwill to advance their collective agenda and kill two birds with one stone. Fortunately, the popular support and clamor for Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) to run for Ogun State’s Chief Servant in 2027 is not just borne out of the call for affirmative action for Ogun West that has been deprived of the opportunity since the creation of the State. It is indeed, a product of Yayi’s “political utilitarianism” which in a nutshell believes that government actions and policies should maximize happiness for the people and he has left no one in doubt about his intentions to achieve happiness for the people of Ogun State which explains the reason why he is widely regarded across the State.
That collective resolution though, is not to undermine the aspiration of other contenders who may want to exercise their fundamental rights to contest under a level playing field as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Regardless of who we are and where we come from, we need each other to survive and actualize our collective dreams and aspirations as a people. The future of Ogun State is in our hands. We are all equal stakeholders. However, every section must be given its fair deal to have a true sense of belonging. In our search for a credible candidate who can lead the state to the next level of development after the expiration of the tenure of Governor Abiodun, the stakeholders in Ogun State must ensure fairness, justice and equity. The people of Ogun West Senatorial District must be given an exclusive opportunity and be supported to produce the next governor of our dear state.
- Oladele is a former members of House of Representatives
