By Francis Ogunrotila
Our democracy is growing with good development and strong determination not to bury the political party nor trample it in the mud because of personal ambition of individual but to proof a strong point of being a visionary Leader and a clean minded personality , if to serve the people is the ultimate goal of political ambition
As we witnessed another transition from one democratically elected Government to another which has characterized our political space in Nigeria since 1999, there is need to identify good deeds and characters that must be encouraged in order to build virile and sustainable Democracy that will meet yearnings and aspirations of the masses.
I have studied critically recent development in Ondo State All progressive Congress APC specifically scenario that played out after the last General election featuring the conduct of House of Assembly election and the recent open letter personally signed by the candidate of the party in Akoko South West constituency 1, in person of Honourable Gbogi Emmanuel who pleaded for clemency for the suspended members of the party in Akoko South West constituency 1
When l read the text of the letter he personally signed, l foresee a strong hope of survival for our democracy in Nigeria, some crude politicians may not read beyond the lines because they want to ask. Why should a candidate that lost an election, which was perpetrated by known people, should come out to plead with the party to forgive those that caused the APC political misfortune in Akoko South West constituency 1 because they were unable to secure return tickets to their respective positions, but the victim of their political conspiracy is equally pleading on their behalf for forgiveness and pardon, this should be applauded by political stakeholders and watchers across the country .
This singular act by Honourable Gbogi Emmanuel is a manifestation of personality with good mind who wish members of his constituency, the party, Ondo State and Nigeria to know that political ambition to any political Office should not be a matter of do or die. The party and other political parties must look out for people like this personality to develop the State and our country at different levels of leadership and responsibilities.
When l read part of his open letter addressed to the State Chairman of the All progressive Congress (APC) Engineer Ade Adetimehin which read in part…”I, Gbogi Emmanuel, the APC candidate in the March 18th, 2023 State House of Assembly election in Akoko South West Local Government Constituency 1 Oka-Akoko, write to implore you to trigger and emplace reconciliation mechanisms that will bring about lasting peace and love in my constituency and Akoko South West Local Government in general.”
The above extract should not be misinterpreted to mean that he was playing to the gallery rather he is actually addressing the issue headlong, the hallucinations of losing a return ticket should not become an avenue to vent anger and beat the drum of war in our constituency
In the words of Gbogi Emmanuel “As you are aware, I lost the election, and there are allegations of conspiracy against me from some members of the party in Oke Oka because I am from Iwaro-Oka…..”many personalities were mentioned in this grand conspiracy. This was contained in a report and letter written to you by the Chairman of the party in our local government Mr. Mise, which is now in the public domain. I also got to know on social media and National newspapers that the party has taken disciplinary action against some of these members who participated in the anti-party activities that led to my loss in the election.
While I appreciate the party’s effort to maintain discipline and order within the party, I urge you to temper justice with mercy. I implore you to seek alternative ways of ensuring unity in the party. This becomes indispensably imperative, as the local government and governorship elections are just a matter of months away.”
Honestly, when you consider these submissions coming from not only a partyman but also a candidate that lost the election , not that he was not a popular candidate but to conspiratorial machinations of members of his party , then Honourable GBOGI-EMMANUEL must be commended for his peace overture and his large heartedness.
He went further to State that “as the principal and immediate victim in the said conspiracy, I have had the cause to move on. And I wish the party to do same. I believe that the party must come together to build a virile, more united, and impregnable structure in Ondo State. This can only be achieved if we put aside our differences and work together for the good of the party
Honorable GBOGI-EMMANUEL went further to appeal to the party leadership to reconsider the suspension of some of the party members and find a way to bring them back into the fold. I believe that this will go a long way in ensuring that the party is more united and stronger than ever before. I trust that you will give due consideration to my appeal and that the party will emerge stronger and more united from this scenario.
With these commendable task, Honorable GBOGI-EMMANUEL has endeared himself into my mind as a large hearted, dependable, dynamic, cerebral political leader who should be engaged responsibly in the political expedition of our sunshine State, even at larger political scope, at any level of political project .
The peace of the state is very paramount going by the comment of the state Party Chairman earlier on this matter, which he described the matter as a family affair which will be addressed appropriately, Engineer Ade Adetimehin an elder stateman, a credible, experienced political and community leader as well as a father of all, his response is on the right track which will bring back peace to the party in the State.
To attest to the visionary approach of Honourable Gbogi Emmanuel, the National Publicity Secretary of the party from the National Headquarters issued a Press releasee dated 18th May, 2023 titled State chapters to stay actions on disciplinary matters posited that the party takes the matter of discipline very seriously as a neccesary mechanism for the maintenance of a strong, vibrant and cohesive party at all levels”
The position of the National headquarters is in tandem with thinking of some party members that prefer peace to reign in the party
The party hereby direct that actions be stayed on all disciplinary matters pending further directives from the National working committee of the party
The import of this news analysis is to know that democracy is a matter of choice by delegates in case of primary elections and electorates by General elections hence, there should not be bitterness, , character assassination , gang up or desperation in any way.
We must return to the path of peace and build our political parties in order to enthrone and sustain much desired democracy is Nigeria. .