.…ÈKÉ N B’ÈKÉ S’Ọ̀RỌ̀, IRỌ́ N PA ‘RỌ́ FÚN ‘RỌ́
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o’rleaps itself and falls on th’other” – Macbeth
Above was a quote in Shakespearian popular Scottish story named Macbeth. The lead actor in a soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7 mentioned the quotation where he’d admitted that his major motivation for killing the reigning king, Duncan who’d come visiting his household over his war victory was his ambition. And like Macbeth, who’s hoodwinked by his wife, Lady Macbeth’s inordinate desire to become the Queen of Scotland, and so decided to murder King Duncan – his visitor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi may have borrowed a leaf from the Scottish storyline when she insisted the then Abiodun Oyebanji must become the party’s candidate or hell would let loose. The husband, Dr. Fayemi, who is known for venerating his wife and kowtowing every of her whims and caprices had to force the incumbent Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, a man with no tact, on Ekiti people.
Today, things are falling apart for the former first family’s adopted son. Governor Oyebanji is fast becoming a persona non grata, not only among his political family – the All Progressives Congress (APC), but also among the public where his image continues to nosedive quotidian. It is a popular cliché that one can not give what they do not possess. This seems to be the case with the man popularly referred to as BAO. He does not only appear clueless on governance rudiments. He is a complete fiasco by all standards!
However, in their desperate bid to re-launch his battered image, more poignantly in the face of the overt reality that the Fayemi family now carries an anathema that may work against Governor Oyebanji’s possible ‘support’ from the Presidential Villa, the need to paint a no-love-lost between the duo of father and son became very germane. It is another ploy from their camp – an artifice to create an impression that Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his political godson, Governor Oyebanji are in some sort of disagreement. That’s the script the former State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Jide Awe was acting by his recent insinuation.
Hon. Jide Awe, the former APC chairman had said, in response to Dr. Fayemi’s ‘irú wá, ògìrì wá’ description of those who now clamp around Governor Oyebanji in the name of support, that, “Politics is a war you win with people, not with weapons. If people are coming to our party voluntarily, it means they have seen something good in us. They are human beings who appreciate our programmes. You can’t drive them away.” However, Hon. Awe did not tell the public the truth about the coming of the leaders of a section of the opposition in the state. He was being clever by half. He did not tell the public that those who gravitate towards Governor Oyebanji did or are doing that just so to eat from the ‘largesse’ that the governor seems to be donning out to buy people.
Fayose’s support was never because of any development Oyebanji is bringing to Ekiti people. His support is pecuniary. He draws monthly payment from the state coffers. That, Dr. Fayemi was well aware of it. Hence, his decision to throw a jibe at the opposition at the Iyin-Ekiti Stakeholders’ meeting. To some political observers, it was a homily to Governor Oyebanji to be weary of his romance with Fayose, while to some, a response to Fayose’s initial diatribes to Fayemi himself – first, during the much-touted ‘endorsement’ rally at Olukayode Stadium, and secondly during the Governor’s submission of forms at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.
But in all of their jiggery-pokery, let it be known to Governor Oyebanji’s camp that no amount of their legerdemain can bamboozle the presidency into their cajoling. To whom much is given, much more is expected. If Governor Oyebanji can not match what he has been able to achieve in the state in the last 3 years with the humongous amount of money that has entered the state’s coffers from the Federation Account, there is no point reinforcing failure. It will be a contradistinction against the state’s cognomen as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’. And a greater disservice to the entire state, her people and her history.
Mr. President knows better!
– Bashorun Bernard ‘Kumapayi
Global President
Ekiti Patriots.