In Ekiti, where election of a governor after the tenure of Dr. Kayode Fayemi will take place mid-2022, politicians are already in trenches.
Although, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is seen as a well calculated, perceptible and unassuming politician, who will not be reckless in the choice of his possible successor, it is given that he will play a prominent role in who becomes his heir. He is expected to get the concurrence of other critical caucuses of the party before deciding on a person
The nature of man is to always strive to master the future, even while still grappling with the tough circumstances of the present. Somebody once said that human beings generally try to forecast the future, so as to have precision in planning and the ability to correctly execute this. Man does not like hazy visions that blur his ability to gaze far ahead. So, while it is true that Nigeria is faced with a myriad of challenges that even the current leaders would wish it was never their lot to confront, those who want to take over from them or those who are concerned about those who will take over from them, are already adumbrating about the future.
In Ekiti, where the election of a new governor after the tenure of Dr. Kayode Fayemi will take place mid-2022, the opposition political gladiators are already in the trenches. They are not encumbered by the demands of decency that the ruling party has to maintain or pretend to maintain, even while working underground. The opposition figures who are interested in the plum job at Oke-Ayoba Hill are already showing their faces on posters, billboards and offering unsolicited seasons greetings. Some are also onto the usual political gimmick of philanthropic activism, which is meant to endear them to the public.
The maverick politician and godfather of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has even anointed a candidate, Mr. Bisi Kolawole of Efon Alaaye, to fly the flag of the flagging PDP in Ekiti State. Before him, personalities such as Engineer Segun Oni, Wale Aribisala, Kayode Adaramodu, Tosin Ajibare, Wale Akinde, Opeyemi Falegan, Professor Olusola Eleka, Senator Abiodun Olujimi and a host of others, have either indicated interest or were rumored to be interested in becoming governor. Some of them have erected billboards and rented campaign offices to prove their seriousness.
In the All Progressives Congress (APC), the politics is much more complex. Being the ruling party, the APC and the governor would not want any distraction. In fact, the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi was reported to have warned, during a mid-term retreat, that whoever was interested in contesting and who was holding any appointive position should freely resign this to follow his passion. But in this game, caution is the name. In spite of this, politicians are already holding clandestine meetings at nocturnal hours, and tiptoeing into coded locations to plan ahead.
Although it has been rumored that some of the current political office holders in Ekiti might be interested in running in 2022 on the basis of their current standing in government or previous contests, none of these persons has come forward to indicate his interest yet. It is considered a suicidal political move to publicly indicate interest in the office of governor for now. However, many have been speculated to be potential runners. Such persons include Engineer Dele Faparusi, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua and Jagun Diran Adesua. Others are Honourable Olufemi Bamisile, Honourable Adeyemi Adaramodu, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Dr. Mojisola Kolade and some other people.
Analysts have however posited that The PUNCH interview of February 7, granted by the governor, suggested that he might be looking within his cabinet for a heir. Responding to a question about whether he was already grooming a successor, the governor declared: “Everyone who has worked with me is a potential successor because they have come up on this journey learning the ropes, seeing the good things that I have done, and looking at how to build on those things if given the opportunity to govern the state. I cannot tell you that a particular person is being groomed…I have an executive council where we debate issues. People see the way I conduct business and I am sure they would take the good and ignore the bad and the ugly from me.”
The governor further highlighted the qualities of his ideal successor to include: “character, competence, compassion and commitment to values”. He also believed that the successor should be one who should be softer about life because he was often accused of being too business-like and not given to the proclivities of street politics. He noted that: “I guess I would also expect somebody who can combine all of what I have said now, be ready to face the seriousness that the job demands, with (a) softer side. I am seen as a 24-hours workaholic even though that’s not completely true. But that perception has grown because I am not on the roadside making a show of eating booli or agbado and some of the things people believe politicians should do, no matter how much work they are doing. They want to see them on the street beside the person selling alcoholic beverages at Oja Oba Market and engaging with the boys in regular banters. It would be good to have someone who may not come across as serious as I am. Somebody who is a bit softer but is also serious, to balance both sides of the expectations.”
Although, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is seen as a well calculated, perceptible and unassuming politician, who will not be reckless in the choice of his possible successor, it is given that he will play a prominent role in who becomes his heir. He is expected to get the concurrence of other critical caucuses of the party before deciding on a person. As a strategist, he will not like to be seen to impose or foist a candidate; he will consider a plurality of interests, popularity, suitability, a person who will not need a lot of stress to get public acceptance and who will score high on loyalty, competence, common vision, character, experience, likability and shared values.
Since the governor, for the first time, spoke about his succession, the political temperature of Ekiti state and in particular the APC has changed. Political star gazers have been trying to figure out who the lucky candidate would be. One can safely deduce from the interview that the governor might have zeroed in on his current cabinet to pick his successor. Pundits have also gone to town with scenario simulations and the possible person that might be in the mind of the governor or who best fits his requirements.
Among many other speculations based on several suppositions, the most popularly mentioned persons, among the princes in the current cabinet, are Barrister Wale Fapohunda, Hon. Biodun Omoleye and Hon. Abiodun Oyebanji. It is not clear why people think these three men are those to watch out for, but there is a general consensus that they are the favoured ones. But who are these men and what are their pedigrees and standing?