"Politics is the final and most perfect, which provides all that is needful for civilized life" - Thomas Aquinas.
It was a gale of unbridled excitement. A kind of innermost expression of joy one feels when catching a glimpse of a special person or a thing dear to one's heart. It was a memory that will linger for a long time as both the influence and the influentia (to borrow Harrold Lasswell) in Oke-Ogun enthusiastically moved out to welcome the candidate after their heart, Oloye Bayo Adelabu Penkelemesi.
Not that the people of Oke-Ogun have not received other candidates coming one after the other to market their products. The triumphant entry of the campaign trail of the APC governorship candidate was unique both in style and strategy. People came out beaming natural smiles, a down-to-earth smile, not unctous type that greeted those who are loved by half. Implicit in this kind of show of affection is the popular acclamation of the alliance between Oloye Bayo Adelabu and the good people of Oke-Ogun. It was a true test of what they value most - Time and energy. The reception was awesome from Iseyin to Ilero, Iganna, Otu and back to Iseyin where the APC NASS candidate, the sociable Shina peller received the team with a large crowd at what some people will call "unsocial hour" - past midnight.
The apparently elated Oyo state APC flagbearer waved intermittently at the jubilant crowd who trooped out shouting "O penkele, O jere". Without any modicum of doubt, the people of Oke Ogun are fully prepared for a journey into the Next level of advancement in governance.
Politics is not a solo operation, it's a two way thing. As Oloye Bayo Adelabu found his visit an auspicious time to interact with and engage the people to find out about the gaps to be filled to make their lives better, so did his cheery hosts maximize the moment by opening their minds on what they desire from the government in the next level. The people seemed to have put their minds beyond the next election, they have considered that a done-deal. They were more concerned about stating policy agenda and demanding policy actions that would soon make them visible in Oke-Ogun. This is what Jorge Abache in a paper titled "Growing with the rest of the world" called "a deep heart to heart conversation between the citizens and the leaders to increase sustainable development effectiveness'. Therefore, it's not inappropriate to say that Bayo Adelabu visit to Oke-Ogun was not to solicit for only votes of the electorates, more than that, it was to broadly open a discussion and marshall out plans on how Oke-Ogun axis and Oyo state by extension will grow with the rest of the world.
The next port of call was Saki, then to Ago Are in Atisbo, Ago Amodu etc where, as usual, Sea of heads (no hyperbole meant) trooped out to welcome the Shakesperian "daylight spirit', our own Omo Penkelemesi.
Following that order, the third day took the campaign trail to Sepeteri, Igboho, Kisi and Igbeti. At Igbeti the candidate, who is a staunch Muslim joined other Muslim faithful to observe Jumat prayer where he was drenched with torrent of prayers after the Jumat service.
During the trip, no time was lost. Oloye Adelabu Adebayo ensured that they touched every nooks and crannies, paying homages to the traditional rulers for royal blessings and meeting party chieftains and the party teeming supporters across board. It was simply a mission accomplished.
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The bonhomie attitude of Oloye Bayo Adelabu and the high reverence he held the low and the mighty that he met in Oke-Ogun was a further explication of his value politics which in the words of Merkl 'trumps power politics". He kept assuring people to keep hope alive. He however called for total support of both the elites and the mass to make the dream of moving Oyo state forward a reality. He averred that" there is no obstacle a government that has the backing of the people will not overcome". But, he gave a caveat that, 'they too should be ready to buck the trend that modern governance system entails". Quoting Albert Einstein, he told the people that "every next level of your life will demand a different you". And they in turn nodded in acquiescence. No wonder our forefathers say 'Good men easily obtain what they desire, which is good."
Those people who followed the motorcade of Oloye Adelabu Adebayo from Ibadan throughout the length and width of Oke Ogun asserted that there was no record of violence any where he went. It was all thrill and fun.
Going by the total success recorded in Oke-Ogun rallies, one can begin to wonder if it was just a one-hit wonder compared to the unpleasant experience of the recent Ibarapa rally. The answer can not be far fetched. Nothing, the elders say, really happens unless something is moved. This brought into sharp focus that the sad incidence of violence that happened in Igbo-Ora the other day Bayo Adelabu took his campaigns to Ibarapa was a case in isolation. The ugly incident was just a dark spot on a good day. It would be recalled that like angry storms from the north that throws up huge waves to disrupt the serenity and stillness of a calm sea, some hired political henchmen came to muddle the pool of the peaceful rally and threw the place into a turmoil in Igbo Ora, degenerating into frontal assault of the teeming supporters of Bayo Adelabu, who only by Jove, himself left the scene unbruised.
Still talking about Oke-Ogun rally, when the writer sought to hear from the horses mouth, Oloye Bayo Adelabu without mincing words said "We thank almighty God for His infinite mercy upon us. The reception and acceptability was awesome. it was not only in Saki as you referenced, same for all towns in Oke-Ogun.We have moved to Igboho to Kishi, just leaving Kishi now on our way to Igbeti. It was heartening news all over. God be praised".
Kudos to the peace loving people of Oke Ogun, the traditional rulers, religious leaders, various groups and others who made the visit of Oloye Adelabu Adebayo Penkelemesi a watershed. With your votes come March 2nd, By God's grace, next level is guaranteed.
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