By David Titiloye
A common denominator between politics and football is that each new season is always met with transfer of players from one club to another. Everyone celebrates the new additions to his or her team with hope that they will add value to the club but those who are able to improve their squad depth and sign players with proven experience and track record of delivery are said to have had a good transfer.
Such is the case in Kwara state today as the leading political parties have been reinforcing their base to bolster their chances in 2023. I however find it humorous that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s Team have lost a significant number of proven politicians on a free transfer despite helping them secure a victory in the last election yet they have been celebrating the arrival of paperweight politicians that are not even fit to make the Team B of their former parties.
Prof. Oba Abu, Hakeem Lawal, Sen Ajadi, Lukman Mustapha, Baba Akogun, Saheed Popoola, Lai Mohammed, Makama of Lafiaji, Alhaji Manko, Aysha Ahman Pategi, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki and a host of others have all deserted Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and everything remained calm in his camp.
Rather unfortunately, there were even jubilations on the cross carpeting of people like Alhaji Yeketi, Hassan Gegele, Bode Dway, Ahmed Omi and some politicians without political address in their respective domains to the Governor’s side. Trust me, I am as curious as Sun Tzu who wrote the “Act of War” on the tactics the Governor will deploy having lost most of his Lieutenants and Generals who delivered the mandate to him in 2019. Even Napoleon Bonaparte and Duke of Wellington who fought the “Battle of Waterloo” will be curious as Napoleon could have won that battle if it had not rained on that day.*
Nevertheless, every political event presents an opportunity for budding politicians like me to learn so I wish to share a few lessons with the newly found friends of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and its captured in a quote:
“When you align with the devil, don’t act surprised when you find yourself in hell”
The media space in Kwara state has been enamored with pitiful tales from the former associates of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who have recapped on how they were betrayed by the egoistical man they trusted and sacrificed everything for.
It started with Alhaji Lai Muhammed, to the NNPP, SDP, and YPP decampees ranging from Prof. Oba Abu, Saheed Popoola, Hakeem Lawal, Alhaji Gobir and many others, to the more recent victims within the same party, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe and Sen. Makanjuola Ajadi.
Narrating his ordeal, Sen. Oloriegbe explained how the governor deceived him to believe they were still on the same page 3 days to the primary before backstabbing him. He also recapped on some of the efforts he committed when the going was tough between the yesterday Annigbas which majority of these players are now in SDP and Gov. AbdulRahman saying “I was the one that rallied the other 2 Senators’ (Kwara South and North) support for the Governor when there was division in the party. So, if he feels betrayal is the best way to pay me back, God will judge it between them.”
While Oloriegbe’s anguish didn’t elicit much sympathy from me, Sen. Ajadi’s recent outburst on radio Harmony FM appealed to my emotions as I felt the pain in his breaking voice and it reminded me of how it hurts to be betrayed. I hope Madam Saadatu Modibbo will find time to narrate her political carry over and will Jawondo queue behind this aggrieved camp within?
“Governor Abdulrahman Abdurazak asked me to contest for the Senate seat to represent Kwara South Senatorial district.
He said I am most qualified among all those aspiring to contest the Senate Seat.” – Sen. Ajadi on Harmony FM.
In the mouth of two or more people, the truth is established. The testimonies of those who laboured for the Otoge movement whose sacrifices have now been in vain only shows a consistent pattern of deception, mendacity, treachery, backstabbing, bared-faced lies, despotism, self-centeredness in Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The fact that he could look these men in the eyes, yet deceive them after using them only shows that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a user who will toss you away when you no longer serve his purpose, the idea of loyalty and reciprocity is alien to him. This behavioral pattern is evidenced in how he has governed Kwara state with lack of empathy to the plight of Kwarans who are in anguish due to his incompetence as governor.
APC in Kwara state is a sinking ship and if there is one thing AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has demonstrated, it is the fact that he’s an egocentric person who will get into a lifeboat and watch others drown.