2022: Osun APC leaders reiterate commitment to Oyetola’s re-election

 

. Fear of unknown gunmen stalls governorship campaigns in Anambra

Blessing Okorowo and Pamela Eboh Awka

 

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osogbo Federal Constituency in Osun, have reiterated their supports for the re-election of Gov. Gboyega Oyetola in the 2022 governorship election.

At an endorsement programme organised for Oyetola in Osogbo on Wednesday, the party leaders said they have implicit confidence in the governor’s style of administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed July 16, 2022 for the governorship election in the state.

Mrs Titi Laoye-Ponle, Chairman of the Federal Constituency, read the group’s communique on the governor’s endorsement.

Laoye-Ponle said that people in the constituency appreciated the numerous projects embarked upon by the governor since inception of his administration.

“From inception of this administration three years ago, Gov. Oyetola had left no one in doubt that he is a purposeful leader with the magic touch to lead the people to the land of promise.

“The ward and local executives of the party, as well as other stakeholders from the four local government areas that make up the Federal Constituency actually endorsed the second term of Gov. Oyetola in writing.

“We are confident that he will do more, if given our mandate.

“It is this exemplary discharge of duty that endeared us to believe that he has scored 100 per cent of our expectations,” she said.

In his remarks, Mr Gboyega Famodun, the Caretaker Chairman of the party in the state, urged the leaders and members to work for the victory of the governor in 2022.

Famodun commended the people of the constituency for endorsing Oyetola, saying it was a known fact that the constituency had the highest votes capacity in the state.

He enjoined all the newly elected local government chairmen of the party to visit all the polling units, especially the newly created one to educate electorate on the need to vote for the party.

Also, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, representing Osun Central Federal Constituency at the Senate, said that leaders of the party would ensure victory for the governor comes 2022.

Bashiru, who is also the Senate spokesperson, said that the governor had done well to be endorsed for the second term.

He urged the party leaders to continue to support the governor, adding that APC was waxing stronger in the country.

Meanwhile, with barely twenty four days to the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, the state remains bereft of the usual colorful pump and pageantry associated with political campaigns, flaunting of fleet of branded cars, colourful women praise singers popularly known as “ndi mbombo”, verbal jarbs as well as promises that are mostly thrown to the garbage as soon as power is grabbed.

 

The lack of all this and the unusual calmness on the part of political parties may not be far from the fear of unknown gunmen that has hitherto infiltrated the once safest state in the country.

 

The usual campaign fields currently lack the feel of thousands of feet matching on its soil and grass while hawkers of mineral, sachet water, groundnut are missing the usual rapid sales occasioned with campaigns.

 

Suffice it to say that the recent killing of the husband to late Dora Akunyili, Dr Chike Akunyili, indeed sent shivers in different camps of the political block, as information has it that the assailants before releasing the trigger labelled the Enugu based Medical Doctor a politician.

 

There was also another killing in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State where the gunmen after killing the victim, wrote ‘No election” in a sheet of paper.

 

To this end, candidates, minstrels followers, political cloud chasers all disappeared out of sight and ear shot.

Disappearing with them are the branded cars and loud praise songs blasting through the loudspeakers, all in an effort to promote the candidate.

 

So far, the only lion in the jungle is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Prof Charles Soludo. The Professor of Economics has been going about with his campaigns in calm gentle strides, but not without a retinue of security operatives shielding his campaign train.

 

Though not loud, it is believed that the power of incumbency has lent credence to his boldness and confidence. His campaign movements are always with a retinue of security officers laced with armored vehicle.

 

Perhaps, Soludo’s lone dance in the political arena of Anambra politics has  capped the general belief that the gods have handed him the crown to succeed from where Obiano stopped.

 

However, his will to reach out to the grassroot to establish his plans for the state may have hit a crossroad as his campaign in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state was on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 attacked by gunmen.

 

Though no casualty was recorded, the attack will no doubt create more anxiety in ordinary people who may want to witness political campaigns first hand.

 

Whichever way it may seem, campaign is the only tool for candidates to reach out to the electorate and reel out their manifestos as well as their long term plan for the state. Without it, it may be difficult for the electorate to decipher the best candidate among the pool of men that have their eyes on the prize.

 

Though Soludo appaars to be the candidate to beat, there is stil need for the electorate to hear him speak , so as to know where to hold him when the chips are down.

 

With the saying that only the living can live to tell a story, the question is, will the candidates be able to square up to the challenge and come out to campaign.