THE TALL ORDER: THE OSUN STATE ELECTION AND LAGOS POLITICS IN RETROSPECT

Agada Ikechukwu

Nigeria’s democracy is in for a “Dejavu” with the Elizabethan intrigues unapologetically put on display in the south-west the penultimate week. Those in the know stands at attention whilst discussing in hushed tones the maverick chess game obviously imported from the celestial bodies; an intonation for rocket science.

Our democracy is increasingly losing its shine essentially because the political parties want to be democratic in a manner that advances mostly the interests of some leaders and not that of the masses. Nigeria’s democracy is taking south with the desperation that wired out in the just concluded Osun Election.

The Osun State charade was a novel illustration of the politics of “Tall Order” which submits to the saying “He who pays the piper dictates the tune”. A careful visit of the re-run elections going on across the states will welcome you with this conspicuous message “2019 Presidential Election is done and dusted, waiting for manifestation”. Even the blind can see the message. Anybody still waiting for how the 2019 Presidential Election will pan out, should stop dreaming. The desperation to occupy the Aso Rock Seat of Power in 2019 and 2023 oiled the Osun paradox. The naked dance was a spillover of the unfinished clash of ego between Saraki and the Lagos godfather.

It took many by surprise when the godfather of Lagos politics declined to endorse his once favourite godson. It is no secret that when the news of their disagreement broke out, both parties feverishly issued strong denials. They spiritedly engaged in integrity protection measures, thus fabricating amazing stories of their inseparableness. However, they both tired out of the tales by moonlight and eventually lost the nerve to carry on the latent battle sooner than they could ever imagine. At that juncture, the truth papered out.

In Lagos politics, this man of massive means(godfather) is definitely the man to beat. He has attained the status of a social and political doll that every political and public office holder pays homage to. He is a man about town whose words are law. His tentacles spread across south-west geopolitical zone and to a larger extent, Nigeria in general. He has discipled a lot of Nigeria’s political heavyweights. He has erected a tall political empire that engaging him is akin to committing political suicide. A clarion visit to his architectural state-of-the art mansion betrays a king of no meagre pedigree. He calls the shot, decides who gets what, when and how. He is a pragmatic testament of the proverbial modern great man. His acolyte won the Osun African Magic.

Unlike in some sister states where the chief executives have been decorated in their parties; such blanket cheque is far removed from the Lagos Chief Executive who is facing the mother of all battles. The APC Lagos primary election promises to be the most exciting involving three-horse race. The Lagos drama has generated massive media attention and has become a subject of every political gathering in the state. It is a season of good tidings for some political jobbers who are harvesting the crisis for their pecuniary gains.

Will the sparks fly? As godson confronts godfather’s anointed candidate in a popularity contest in an obviously wired crowd. The both parties have gone to the drawing board to plot the victory graph for their principals. All attempts to throw spanner in the wheel of the governor’s progress failed rather he remained undaunted and soldiered on to the chagrin of his traducers. He smartly ignored innuendoes, inferences and jabs fired to discourage him from piloting the affairs of the coastal city for the next four years.

He is facing stiff opposition from his party generals who felt slighted by his policies that had gravely injured their economic lifelines. The forces against him have elected to see his back by all means possible. They are determined to take their pound of flesh via the direct primary holding today.

To still man the Alausa Government House, the governor needs to sought solace in the wisdom of God and activate modern intelligence in the face of mountain of odds against his re-election. He needs to seek audience with the heavily distraught former State House Chaplain(Man of God) who was booted out( disgraced) on flimsy reasons. Forgiveness conversation between the duo can go a long way because the cleric must have issued some dangerous proclamations.

As we watch the unfolding drama, which will be largely decided by the Lagos APC delegates based on the “Tall Order”. The realignment of former foes turned friends shows that politics is all about interest, no permanent friend or enemy. Interestingly, there is no union of hearts that does not meet its end, friends after friends leave each other, but comrades in true spirit stay. In the end, a winner and a loser must emerge.