•What City People Found Out
Osun State Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola has a strong point many don’t know. It’s his calm and unpretentious look. When you meet him for the first time, you are likely to underrate him, on account of his looks. But unknown to many that is his strength. Behind that unassuming look is a man who is very calculative and deep. He is also very strategic and calculating in his moves. Unknown to many, he was actually the man who calmed all the frayed nerves against his former boss, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. At that time, Aregbesola got many people angry as a Governor, it was Oyetola who calmed them down with the power of persuasion. Many usually listen to his pacification, whilst they wait for amendment.
That is one gift that the man who runs Osun State right now has and it is one gift that has helped him get to the top. People always underrate him. With his recent victory at the party primary. Oyetola has tested and confirmed his popularity with his victory in the primary election held on Saturday, February 18, 2022.
Oyetola’s resounding victory across the 332 wards in the state was an affirmation of his widely-acknowledged sterling performance in his first term.
During the just-concluded primaries, All Progressives Congress members in Osun rose in their large numbers to exercise their democratic right. They voted massively to give Governor Adegboyega Oyetola a clear mandate to contest for a second term with a collective decision that was expressed in very unambiguous and unmistaken terms.
Despite the rancour he may have with the erstwhile governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who was once the shot-caller of the state politics, Oyetola’s victory was also an expression of confidence to the teeming party members in Osun.
The result of the Osun primary is also a pointer that the people of Osun have accepted Oyetola as a candidate they trust, having satisfied all the mandate in his first term and assuring to do more in the coming term should he win in July. Oyetola won the hearts of the Osun people immediately he came when he began to correct all the unpopular policies his predecessor had introduced. Being the Chief of Staff to Aregbe, he knew the many mistakes his former Oga made, in terms of policies and he corrected them promptly. He also calmed down all the Civil Servants.
Not only that, Oyetola submitted himself to the people and people’s power had prevailed. His commitment to democracy, non-violent elections, nation-building, loyalty to the party and party supremacy were particularly remarkable.
Today, it will be difficult for any candidate to unseat Governor Oyetola because of his style of administration, with which he has been able to win the hearts of many in the state. The royal fathers are on his side. The market women are on his side. Even the civil servants are singing his praises after he came in and was able to pacify perennial workers’ anger over “modulated salaries,” misgivings about some educational policies, and the intra-party crisis that had threatened an exodus of some leaders and members from APC to other political parties.
Gov. Oyetola, according to our source in Osun State, knows every nooks and cranny of the state and calls these people by their names. He has succeeded in creating a very strong grassroots base and gives the people a sense of participation in the polity.
He goes directly to the people and inquires what they need, he gets feedback from the communities himself and engages the people in all his projects. But unlike the regular politicians, Oyetola is a silent operator, who doesn’t play verbal politics. He talks less. He doesn’t engage in controversy and doesn’t respond to mindless criticism.
Oyetola doesn’t give room for distractions. That’s the stuff of a man that is focused and determined to deliver on his goals and mission. “The mere fact that Oyetola is fixing roads, paying salaries and pensions as at when due, thereby changing the negative narratives that almost cost our party the election in 2018. This is already endearing the party to the people in the state again.”, said our source. Although things are presently sour between Aregbesola and Oyetola and the former is hell-bent that the latter does not return to office by July, but Oyetola’s popularity in Osun may work for him.
Let’s quickly remind you how the conflict began between the Ogbeni and Oyetola. Mr Oyetola’s kinsman from Iragbiji town in Boripe Local Government Area of the state, Gbenga Akano, was the favoured candidate for Chief of Staff by Ogbeni Aregbesola when he assumed office in 2010. Barely 24 hours after the governor’s swearing-in, Akano met with Mr Aregbesola who asked him in which capacity he would like to serve in his administration.
Aregbesola simply told him he was offering him the opportunity to choose because what he had in mind for him might not be what he wanted for himself. But Akano told him that Aregbe’s preference will be accepted. So Aregbe told him he would be the Chief of Staff
Aregbesola immediately introduced his then former aide de camp, Ajasa, and also Bambo to Akano and said he should start working immediately. His phone numbers were immediately forwarded to relevant offices and embassies in particular. Mr Akano immediately confided in the traditional ruler of Iragbiji, his hometown, Abdulrasheed Olabunmi, and sought his prayers on the new development. He also broke the news to his wife and elder brother. So when Alhaji Oyetola visited to congratulate the governor, Akano greeted him and also confided in him as an elder from his hometown. In fact, he specifically told Akano to always reach out to him whenever his support was needed.
Maybe Kabiyesi had forgotten what Akano earlier told him. He took Olaboopo to Asiwaju (Tinubu) and surprisingly they met Oyetola there. As soon as Kabiyesi spoke of his reason for the visit, Tinubu simply said the position of the chief of staff was for Iragbiji.
But before Kabiyesi would think it was Akano who was being referred to, Tinubu simply pointed at Oyetola. In fact, Oyetola too was surprised and said he would never take such a position. Before his appointment in 2011, Mr Oyetola was a successful businessman. He was the founder and managing director of Silvertrust Insurance Brokers Limited. He had also served as executive vice-chairman of Paragon Group of Companies and as chairman of Ebony Properties Limited. He was also a director in Pyramid Securities Limited. When Aregbesola visited Asiwaju to tell him about his choice for his chief of staff, Asiwaju just informed him that “Oyetola is your Chief of Staff.” Another ally of Mr Aregbesola and former secretary to the ruling APC in the state, who later became Mr Aregbesola’s chief of staff at the twilight of his administration, Rasaq Salinsile, admitted that Oyetola was imposed on the governor by Asiwaju. Oyetola has turned all the negativities around and has become a phenomenon, that will be a candidate to beat in July 2022.
-Joseph Seun Emmanuel
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