OPINION:Alade And The Verdict Of Fate
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By Ojo Oyewamide
Fate had already prepared it. But as ordinary mortals, we were not prepared for it. In fact, we couldn’t have been prepared for it because we didn’t know the plan of God. Nobody expected Adedayo Omolafe would fly away the time he did. Even those who claim to posses the gift of clairvoyance could not predict the unfortunate event of his death. Such is the limitation of man and his gift of prophesy. And such is the supreme power of God over man, His creation. Only He has knowledge of what tomorrow carries in its belly.
The death of Omolafe, widely known as Expensive, rendered the seat of the Akure North and Akure South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives vacant. A by-election was conducted some days ago to fill the vacancy. The APC standard bearer, Mayokun Lawson-Alade popularly known as LAF, won the off-season poll. Alade scored 26,210 votes to beat the PDP candidate, Olumuyiwa Adu, who clinched 24,007 votes.
Every person has his or her own time under the Sun. But man’s inability to know his particular time troubles his soul and tasks his patience. Alade eyed the seat of Akure North and South Federal Constituency in 2019. He sought the APC nomination to participate in the National Assembly elections. But it was not his time then. Therefore, he could not secure the ticket of the ruling party.
The late Omolafe of the PDP defeated Hon. Afe Olowookere, the then occupier of the seat and APC candidate, in the 2019 House of Representatives election. Omolafe was popular among his Akure people. But despite his popularity, it was in his fourth attempt that he realised his aspiration. Any lesson there? Yes. If it is not your time, it can’t be your time, no matter how much you try and how the odds favour you. As ordinary mortals, there is nothing we can do about it. Doesn’t the Holy Bible say in Ecclesiastes 9:11 that the race of life is not to the swift, nor its battle to the strong?
It couldn’t have occurred to anyone that death would not allow Omolafe to complete his term. He secured the seat after 12 years of seeking it. But he could only occupy it for about two years. The way of God is different from our way. We propose but He disposes.
Alade who could not get the nomination of his party in 2019 is the one who will now complete Omolafe’s term. That had been the plan of fate. But we did not know. This is one of the reasons why Alade should not allow his new status to get into his head. It was fate that paved his path to the National Assembly.
The by-election is now over, but the contest for the seat has begun almost immediately. According to the INEC timetable, political parties interested in participating in the 2023 general elections must conduct their shadow polls between April 4 and June 3. What did the APC do right that ensured its victory in the February 26 by-election? Let the writer attempt to answer the question according to his observations.
One, the ruling party conducted a free and fair primary election. There was a level-playing field for all. The APC leader in the state, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, did not openly prefer any aspirant. In one word, there was not imposition.
Two, because there was no imposition, there was no serious post-primary election crisis. The crisis that groupings within the party would have caused was immediately nipped in the bud. Meetings were held to reconcile tendencies and urge peace and unity. As a result of genuine reconciliation, the APC forces were united against the PDP.
Three, the APC members displayed steadfastness and determination. This stemmed from their obvious sense of collective destiny. Alade’s ambition was theirs. They aggressively campaigned for votes in every nook and corner of the federal constituency. They also took the campaign to market places and other important places. As 2023 elections approach, ways must be devised to sustain the steadfastness and determination of the APC members throughout the state.
Ojo Oyewamide writes from Abibirih Lane, Isolo, Akure
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