ILORIN EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMANSHIP RACE: UPDATE SO FAR

By Ishola Gbenga anipr 

Ordinarily, one would have let go of any discussion as touching Elesinmeta politics, specifically, the just concluded local government Chairmanship race in which we have a contestant from Elesinmeta community, in person of Comrade Habib Ajibola Lawal. But because, I was the first to have updated this platform of developments after the primary election, sharing victory pictures and videos, I took it as a personal obligation to give a concluding part of the exercise report, after which we can close the case here.

Readers may wish to note that, the race in question, have been done and dusted to the glory of God, and the next line is the main local government elections, scheduled for 21st September. Given what played out at the end of the race, Elesinmeta has no candidate in the race any longer. Habib is just a face, but the mandate, which on a normal ground should come to Elesinmeta, has been taken to Marafa Oja.

Meanwhile, Comrade Habib Ajibola Lawal, should be as proud as he has made us as a community, especially for putting up a good political fight to bring glory to Elesinmeta, which unfortunately, never went as planned and expected. But God knows better. He who fight and runaway live to fight another day. Says a late legend. 

ANY LESSON TO BE LEARNT?

Yes! There were numerous of lessons to be learnt before, during and after the contest. A few will be mention here, while the rest would be kept to the heart in order to guide us better in the future. 

We saw in practical, a clear game of betrayals from both internal and external allies. No doubt, the internal forces conived and sold out the community big time. The reason for that? Best known to them. Surprisingly, most of these people benefited a lot from Comrade Habib in several ways, but according to them, it is politics. If you ask me, I will say that is life. 

The final list of candidates was released by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), on Tuesday, 13th August with the name of Mr. Lukman Garba Agbelere of Marafa on the list as the candidate for Ilorin East. He is a fine and grassroot politician himself. He is a lucky man, and I congratulate him. I have also spoken with him on phone to wish him well.

In life,  there's always a reward for loyalty, so also is there consequences for traitors. Both comes with consciences at their appropriate times, while karma do catch up sooner than later. It seems easy and 'rewarding' to betray your benefactor, but it counts thereafter. It might also be a thing of pleasure to serve as a mole today and get away with it, but time shall surely tell.

We saw it coming actually, in fact,  we've been warned to be careful. As it would turn out, the warnings came to pass. It happened as predicted. They've jumped ship even before the final list was released. They wanted to be here and their at the same time. They are now on the other side. That was their plan B. 

Kindness, for every decerning mind, should be appreciated and kept intact for record purpose. It shouldn't be forgotten in a jiffy no matter how little they're. But human beings are not like that. God confirmed his regret after creating mortals.

I was not surprised, when someone called on Wednesday evening, to inform me of a video clip he saw, where the ungrateful souls were dancing and jubilating. And I asked myself: over what? I told the person not to worry. That is who they are after all! They grandstand, double-stand and even double-peak. No shame! No value! No moral and No decency. They say yes in the morning. No in the afternoon, and the combination of yes and no in the evening. To betray means nothing to them. It runs in their blood and there are several examples and instances to substantiate these facts. They are who they are. Not today alone, but over the years. They look unassuming, but they have been revealed overtime to be enemies in the close.

They leak your hands when it has yoghurt, but running away when it has maggots. Such is life. The Yorubas has lots of evergreen adage to confirm that. Thus: Owo epo ni omo araye nba ni la. Won ki bani la teje. Also, Bi iku ile ko ba pani, ti ode kole pani. And finally, Eyinkunle lota wa. Inu ile ni ase ni ngbe. I am happy Comrade Habib Ajibola Lawal have realized all these and moved on with his life. Even with that, time shall always tell.

Finally, the ways of God is not the ways of men. This is why what would be, would surely be. God is still God no matter what. He intervenes greatly in the affairs of men. Animals seems to be more grateful and loyal than men. If there's life, surely, there is still hope. We have the privilege of seeing today, though without having control over it, but no one knows tomorrow. Time shall always tell. Certainly, time shall tell. 

God bless Elesinmeta.