HOW AKURE LOST OUT IN SENATE, GOVERNORSHIP, AND PRESIDENCY OF 1999
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HOW AKURE LOST OUT IN SENATE, GOVERNORSHIP, AND PRESIDENCY OF 1999
By Dr Akeredolu O.N
HOW AKURE
The Chief Kayode Faloye was denied the senate while Baba Reuben Fasoranti refused the governorship and Oba Olu Falae was robbed out of the presidential election in 1998/1999
Many people have been attacking me for taking the bull by the horn, championing the agitations for Akure governorship of 2028. As expected, alot of people claimed that I should rather allow the state to be basking in the euphoria of the current victory in which our governor, H.E Lucky Aiyedatiwa, historically defeat his opposition across all the 18 local governments. Well, as much as I celebrate with him for this landmark achievement, a right thinking person will understand that our current problem as a country is not about electoral victory but how the previous leaders failed to use their political success for the benefit of the masses. Although, I’m happy for the governor in his electoral achievement but I will be happier, seeing him transforming the health, Agricultural, economic and educational sectors at the end of his six years administration in 2028.
It’s of note that many Africans cum Nigerians are not wise, the social media has exposed the level of stupidity in our country. According the wise adage which says, the fools think of today while the wise ones are always conscious of tomorrow. I wasn’t surprised that Americans in their last election were busy discussing the problems their country may likely encounter in next 50 years if the illegal immigration is not properly checked. In Nigeria here, many people believe that campaigning for an agenda of next four years would distract the governor who would be legally unqualified to contest then. I realised that many people in this generation lack knowledge of history which is their major problem.
For example, Mr Peter Fayose of Ekiti state, came from nowhere and started the aspiration to unseat his predecessor in 2023, immediately Chief Niyi Adebayo was sworn in as the governor, starting from 1999. To further expose the ignorance of people attacking our agitation of Akure Agenda 2028, it’s not a party affair, rather, we want all the political parties in Ondo state to field Akure indigenes as their candidates in 2028, just as they did for Ilaje-Ese Odo in this last election. Our aim is to have either Mr Eyitayo Jegede, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe or any Akure man as the PDP governorship candidate while APC should field any of Adu Cubana, Razak Obe, Abena, Tukana, Ademola Adegoroye, Eng. Gboye Adegbenro from Ilara or any of Akure indigenes as her candidate.
There is no how this would disturb any serious government from carrying out its civil obligations to the masses, rather, those who have issues against our struggle are people nursing inordinate ambition that is stranged to our natural rotation of power among the three senatorial districts. There is no doubt, Akure has been significantly marginalised despite being the largest ethnic group. It’s surprising that our state, Ondo, the case is reverse in comparison with Oyo, Kogi, even Kwara states, the ethnic groups like Ibadan, Igala and Ilorin have been dominating their governorship seat because of the larger population strength. The level of desperation and unfairness noticed so far among the political class in Ondo state was the impetus for the current clarion call and arose my spirit for public awareness among the Akure( Akure South, Akure North and Ifedore), to take what belongs to them in our political space.
The Chief Kayode Faloye, then CEO of the popular bottling company, producing Limca soft drinks, defeated the likes of Dr Olusegun Mimiko and Co, to emerge as the senator elect in the kangaroo five parties system of late Gen Sanni Abacha. However, Gen Abdulsalaam Abubakar who succeeded the late dreaded dictator cancelled the charade transition program, tailored towards the continuity of Kanuri man as the president. The AD cum Afenifere elders, prevented this Akure man as their senatorial candidate in 1998, believed that Ondo Town should be in their political equation in the spirit of fairness and Justice that Yoruba Omoluabi is known for. The Sen. Gbenga Ogunniya, from Ekimogun, was preferred. Also, Pa Reuben Fasoranti who had lost more than necessary in serving his father land, like other who genuinely loved Nigeria, he was framed up and imprisoned, losing his beloved daughter during this travail which led to the glorious departure of his Jewel of inestimable value, just the way Chief Awolowo described H.I.D Awolowo.
Though, the offer later came for this patriarch of Fasorantis to step in as Ondo state number one citizen but the encouragement was not there for him, refused the golden opportunity on personal but understandable ground. There is no argument about Akure having glorious sons and daughters in all works of life, however, the dichotomy among Akure kingdom of Akure ule and Akure oko( Akure town and Akure villages) has been the potent weapon of the enemies against the glory of this ancient Yoruba town. Till today, Hon. Ademola Adegoroye’s short tenure in the federal cabinet remains indelible in the history of Ondo state. Other communities had been representing the state as the federal ministers until the arrival of this Akure man and ensured the Ondo Sea port for Ilaje-Ese Odo became a reality, awaiting investors currently.
In a nutshell, Akure lost out 1999 governorship and still struggling to achieve the same feat, infact, currently missing out of political calculation in Ondo state unless a wide sensitisation like the one we are doing now, no hope in sight. In the same vein, Chief Olu Falae, now Oba of Ilu Abo in Akure North, who was just released from prison with other NADECO compatriots, became the presidential the candidate of AD for the national election but was robbed out by Northern cabals who preferred Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, another Yoruba man from Ogun state. We believe the time of redemption is here for Akure, our agitations for Akure are sacrosanct and bidding. This will never distract the new governor who had benefitted significantly from the supports of Akure elders on his way to his recent glory.
Dr Akeredolu O.N, a medical doctor, a surgeon, a resident of Akure, from Owo-Ose axis of Ondo State
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