“When the Elders meet, the ear of the people would hear good news” – An African Wise Saying
In the African socio-political milieu, the concept of being an elder is achieved through two means. One is based on the template of age and longevity, and the other is based on status and responsibility. Each of these carries tones of expected expectations. The African way provides a mirad of power relation helmed on the canvass of a broader person to community model.
While an elder is granted the liberty invested on the person by age or status, the community sets a performance template upon the activity is interrogated. Being an elder confers on you the task of providing leadership, direction and taking responsibility for others.
At a time in Nigeria when politics is becoming unhelpful in solving social problems, it demands that men of courage and ability must take the gauntlet to redirect the social discourse.
More specifically as we approach the next election, and the consuming rhetoric is laced with divisiveness and lies, ethnic and religious bigotry, especially towards a governement that is doing so much but not been appreciated, the need for a new movement to redirect the narrative is imperative. Such moves must come from those who appreciate the importance of the job been done by the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Hence, with the inauguration earlier this week of the PBAT Continuity Project (PCP), a group set up to lead the charge for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the flame of political activities in Ondo State under the All Progressives Congress has just been ignited. While it is an established truth that Ondo State is historically the bastion of progressive politics in Nigeria, particularly in the South West, the array of established and top-notch politicians who were present at the unveiling of the group suggests the convergence of the established pillars of progressive politics in our State.
It is true that sometimes political statements, especially by politicians, need to be properly interrogated. Not every politician is without fidelity, and not all words by politicians fall flat without actions. Some have established a history of backing up their words with positive action. Hence, the array of political presence and the goodwill messages delivered via telephone and the number of persons who sent in their apologies reveal clearly that the process of setting the building blocks for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027 is on course.
In Ondo State, it’s difficult to underate the calibre of men and women who had subscribed to the membership of PCP. Aside from the Director General, Pastor Femi Agagu, the interest and commitment of Hon. D.I. Kekemeke, Dr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, Princess Oladuni Odu, Hon..Lola Awoh, Dr. Mrs Osadaun, Yeye-Oba Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, HE. Mrs Kemi Iyantan, High Chief Ojo Alalabiaye, Prince Diran Iyantan, Hon. Sunday Araoyinbo, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, Hon. Tobi Ogunleye, Hon. Goke Jatuase, Hon. Mekuleyi, Hon. Ayeni, Ambassador Sola Iji, Dr.Jibayo Adeyeye and many notable politicians, show clearly that a new vista has emerged in Ondo State to carry the gospel of an Asiwaju political success in 2027.
One does not need to have the power of clairvoyance when the Director General of the group, Pastor Femi Agagu, in his opening statement, states, “Our task is to ignite support of all Ondo State indigenes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” This is the article of faith of the group, and the destination is another four more years in Aso Rock. It is a direct charge to all and sundry.
No doubt, the convergence of minds behind this group is a pointer to what it could achieve. Setting the goal, Dr. Bunmi-Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior, said Ondo State will surpass its 2023 percentage votes contributed for the President. He maintained, “…Asiwaju for a second term is our project, PCP is our project. In the last election, we had 67%, but our target this time is to do far better than that. With the caliber of people in PBAT Continuity Project, we will deliver more than expected once we agree to work together.”
In working together, no one knows the art more than Hon. Isaac Kekemeke. A man who has traversed vast political activities and coupled ragtag political organs to success by being the first Chairman of a political party in opposition to lead his party to presidential victory in Ondo State. Kekemeke rests on his vast political experience in many capacities and is the current APC Vice Chairman for the South West. He knows what he meant when he said, “Mr. President deserves a second term going by his leadership style and commitment to national development.”
In an emphatic statement, he said, “This is a President from the South West…more so, this President is doing extremely well. For the good of our country, for the good of our region, and for the good of ourselves, it is good that President Bola Tinubu continues to be President…I’m happy that some leaders of APC decided to start.”
The above enlightened and informed statements are not just mere words. They are statements made from years of organizing, mobilizing, and participation in the political process and democratic engagement in Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general. The impact these leaders have made to the development of democracy places them in a vantage position to understand what is required for the benefit of our State and our nation under an Asiwaju Presidency.
Establishing his own reason on the plank of performance, Hon. Wale Akinterinwa extolled the excellent performance of Mr. President and said this is the time he needed the support of all Nigerians to consolidate his various policies beyond 2027. In restating his support for the group, he said, “…I’m happy to be part of this group, and I can assure you that we will play our part and deliver on the mandate of the group.”
Going forward, he opined, “This is a group of very committed and respectable leaders who have come together for the purpose of ensuring that our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not only returns in 2027 but we will give him the maximum vote in 2027.”
These deep and colossal statements were made by people who have a history of political performances and electoral value in Ondo State and the days ahead will prove that they are not mere statements but words that are indelible and carved on to the open plates of history.
Sola Ajisafe, Lawyer, Journalist, Farmer is a member of the APC. He lives in Akure, Ondo State.
