AIYEDATIWA: OMOLUABI AND THE FIRST TEST OF STATESMANSHIP
Leadership is so arduous that theories and precepts sometimes fail. In fact, specifics change with time, geography and the nature of people involved. That’s why the practice of democracy in nearby Ghana may be different from what obtains in Nigeria.
Plato, the great philosopher, wrote about how he initially nursed a desire for a career in public service. In the autobiography attached to the seventh letter, Plato recounted how he had hoped for a political career but couldn’t stand the movement of shifting currents. He was befuddled by things not envisaged.
“The result was that I, who had at first been full of eagerness for a public career, as I gazed upon the whirlpool of public life and saw the incessant movement of shifting currents, at last felt dizzy… And finally saw clearly in regard to all states now existing that without exception their system of government is bad. Their constitutions are almost beyond redemption except through some miraculous plan accompanied by good luck”
Governor Aiyedatiwa must have felt challenged by the daunting tasks ahead when nature beckoned on him to lead Ondo state on the 27th of December 2023. Managing human and material resources of the state to enhance the well-being of the citizens was one thing, while managing the cacophony within the ruling political party (APC), was another. A litmus test of his sagacity was his step to reunite the factionalized NURTW. Through a genuine desire to reconcile and a win-win approach, Aiyedatiwa brought peace to a trade Union that was hitherto known for crisis and disorder. His desire to unite and forge a common front among the union members for the peace and progress of the state overwhelmed the usual desire of political players to use the NURTW as a partisan tool. Without any doubt, a man who could unite rival groups within the NURTW must have the capacity to bring peace to restless souls.
The infighting within the APC in the days before the just concluded by-election in Akoko North East/North West Federal constituency, presented Governor Aiyedatiwa with another opportunity to stretch the olive branch, calm frayed nerves, massage hurting egos, balance discordant tendencies and refocus the party towards united and common interests. His meeting with aggrieved aspirants, personal calls with esteemed leaders of Akoko and presence at the grand finale of Ife Ehindero’s campaign provided serious boost to the electoral success of the APC in the just concluded House of Representatives by-election in Akoko North.
Governor Aiyedatiwa is rekindling the ‘Omoluabi’ spirit in the governance of Ondo State and within the ranks of his political party where he is now the leader. With his leadership style, the era of tyrannical politicking and disrespect for the interest of leaders, party members and stakeholders is being swept into the bin. Like his last name evokes, Ondo State is for all of us and APC for all members. ‘Ondo Datiwa and APC Datiwa’.
Aiyedatiwa is a statesman, whose pursuit in the State and within his party is to entrench peace and progress. His desire is to lead a state where the legitimate aspirations of citizens can be realized. He sees his political party as a family where all members have equal rights to pursue interests within set rules and parameters without being constrained or cheated. While it will be difficult to actualize the dreams of all members at the same time, a party where the dreams of all are actualized at different times is attainable with the leadership style of Governor Aiyedatiwa. With him at the helm of affairs, APC will continue to offer values to the people of Ondo state beyond 2025.
In closing, I wish to re-echo Governor Aiyedatiwa’s ‘no vacancy in Alagbaka’ stance. It is a commitment to ensure that APC continues to win for the people of Ondo state. May the rains of prosperity pour heavily upon our state under his leadership and beyond.
*Sunday Olugbenga Abire is Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Ondo State*
