By Adegboyega Ajayi

What a swift turnaround? The hunter has mysteriously become the hunted in the political space in Ekiti state. If a madman knows that his ailment is bad, he wouldn’t enter the market naked (words of Odolaye Aremu). Fayemi has shown that he is not on the same level with them. The story of how billions of naira was moved to Ekiti for the 2014 election and how APC leaders(state and national) were harassed or detained is still very fresh in their memory and in their wisdom, the best way to prevent themselves from reaping what they have sown is through blackmail. It’s now crystal clear why they didn’t want Fayemi as the APC flag bearer. He is simply the only one that can muscle enough strength to match them and neutralize all their evil machinations. He was taunted the underdog and political neophyte that stands no chance at the general election. They made jest that another 16-0 awaits the party with the emergence of Fayemi. They boasted that the election will be a walkover. But in reality, the opposite is the case. 

There is a saying in Yoruba that a woman appreciates her husband better after two marital experiences. Ekiti people have encountered water and oil, to use the words of JKF, and they know the difference. Fayemi’s candidacy troubles the PDP because there are legacies that he can eavsily point to; there are good things he can remind Ekitikete about; there are abandoned physical projects he can quickly complete; there are life changing programs he can reactivate; there are ways he can fix, help and empower the youths; there are policies he can rebrand and improve on. Above all these, there are perceived wrongs he can speedily right. PDP’s trouble is therefore not just about the fear of losing but also about the fact that Fayemi/APC can outshine the incumbent if re-elected. Unfortunately, this time around that they lack the power to intimidate, harass or arrest APC members, they resorted to blackmail to whip up sentiments.

In 2014, they couldn’t fault JKF on performance. He too was confident that Ekitikete will stand by him because of what he did for each community and how he was able to impact lives generally in every sector. They concocted lies and demonized him. He was accused of building castles and a university in Ghana with Ekiti peoples’ commonwealth. They hoodwinked the teachers and civil servants to believe that he was going to sack them if voted for a second term. They talked about no program or manifesto all through their campaign. It was all about what Fayemi did or would do. When lies are repeated over and over unchallenged, people tend to see or take it as the truth. Many people actually believed there were castles and a university in Ghana built with Ekiti state’s money. Some teachers and civil servants also believed that their jobs were at stake. They got away with these lies then coupled with the undemocratic harassment, arrest and intimidation of APC leaders. Unfortunately however, when the truths came to light, it was too late for Ekitikete to undo the error. Those were times when silence wasn’t golden at all. 

Truths, like diamond, are forever but every lie has an expiry date. The fools say to themselves that they are the wisest. However, once beaten, twice shy. Ekitikete are now wiser. The civil servants can’t be bamboozled again. The story of stomach infrastructure is not marketable again. Their celebrated best overhead bridge in Nigeria seems not to be good enough to guarantee victory and boost their confidence as the day of reckoning gets closer. They predicted the implosion of the Ekiti APC should Fayemi win but to their disappointment and dismay, APC came out of the primary more united and stronger. Fayemi turned out to be the much needed stabilizing factor for Ekiti APC. All these make them jittery. They are now afraid of their own shadow and everything that have to do with Fayemi. While struggling fruitlessly to proffer solutions on how to avert their impending loss then came the killer punch from Fayemi with the choice of his running mate. 

Chief Bisi Egbeyemi is what yoruba people call “abere to lokun nidi” to borrow the words of Barrister Kole Ajayi of blessed memory. It simply means that he is “well-known or easily noticed”. Just like JKF, Egbeyemi is someone that people can actually remember and talk about for what he did with every opportunity he has had in the past. With the combination of Fayemi’s suave and Egbeyemi’s shrewdness, the coast is clear for APC on July 14th. Election is actually a popularity contest. That’s why the choice of Egbeyemi is very strategic. 

The welcome rally that was planned for Fayemi unsettled the PDP government because the witness of a rousing welcome for Fayemi will be another deadly blow to the already waning popularity and acceptability of the government. Okadas, taxis and mini-buses operators were warned to stay off the road so as not to participate in the rally. Touts were sent out to ensure compliance and see to it that the ban was adhered to, but all their efforts were in vain. Okada riders, taxi and mini-bus drivers joined others, and came out in large numbers. The rally was a huge success. The reception was overwhelming, intimidating, resounding and rousing. The message was very clear. This made the government jittery the more.

Confusion was thrown into their camp because the reality of what awaits them on July 14th is already setting-in. Then  came the news of accidental discharge. They ran to the press accusing Fayemi, Akeredolu and the APC of bringing Mopol and thugs to disrupt or attack their own rally. How illogical can they be? Within a spate of minutes, several multiple but conflicting press releases emanated from their camp giving different accounts of the same event. They did all these to dampen the successful impacts of the rally by hipping and feasting on the negative news. They went to town proclaiming what they wished, that MOB was in critical condition and ready to be flown abroad in air ambulance. They needed all this to console themselves that they are still in the race. Thank God that MOB and others are recuperating fine. 

I congratulate Ekiti APC for the success of the rally and urge them not to be weary. Things will still get uglier and messier as we progress because they are becoming hopelessly desperate. This is understandable because they have no access to the previous weapons of intimidation and harassment. They are left with only one weapon and that is propaganda. They are going to use it to the maximum. They are going to impersonate and blackmail JKF and other leaders. Therefore, before you react to any news, try and verify the source and confirm the authenticity of such. They have unleashed their social media warfare to confuse, destabilize and disorientate Ekiti people. But it is all going to be in futility. Again, Fayemi is their only manifesto. 

Ekiti state is a civil service state. The artisans, traders, farmers and others depend largely on the patronage of civil servants for survival. JKF reminded us last week that salary and pension has not been paid in Ekiti state this year. The multiplier effects of this are too visible for all to see on the formal and informal sectors of Ekiti state. They are always quick to draw examples of salary/pension arrears that are not real from other states, especially Ondo. Akeredolu doesn’t owe salary in Ondo state. He inherited 6 months arrears and has cleared 4 and is left with 2 months arrears. He has been paying salaries and pensions as at when due. There were months he paid twice (one arrears and one current) while the government in Ekiti keeps giving excuses. You need to open your eyes and take yourself out of slavery.

To the Ekiti state APC, change doesn’t roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. This is a clarion call on Ekiti APC leaders to unite, coordinate and manage their followers well for the success of the party. Chief Segun Oni, a political veteran should reorientate his followers not to play to the gallery by being a tool in the hand of the PDP. Political networking and negotiation cannot be achieved through bickering. Synergy is a two way thing and that is what all camps need at the moment. All APC leaders like Chief Segun Oni, Senator Arise, Daramola and others from the North should join hands with Fayemi to deliver two-thirds of the total votes from the north; all leaders like Otunba Niyi Adebayo, MOB, Kayode Ojo, Ojudu, Orire and others should join hands with Chief Bisi Egbeyemi to deliver two-thirds of the votes from the center and; all leaders from the south like Bafem, Aluko, Fappy, Oluyede and others should join hands with Dayo Adeyeye to deliver at least half of the total votes from the south. These are what we need to grab the trophy Ekitikete want to give us on July 14th. 

To the civil servants and pensioners of Ekiti state, time has come for you to bail yourself out. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent. Nobody can use you, unless you let him. You have been used before, now is the time to redeem yourself. Continuity by the PDP government means continuity of stories to justify nonpayment of your salaries and pensions. To all communities in Ekiti state that hasn’t felt the presence of government in the last four years, continuity means stories to justify reasons for denying you dividends of democracy. To every royal father, individuals and institutions that have lost their voices and self-esteems in the last four years, continuity means perpetual intimidation, obscurity and oppression. Fayemi is the key to getting Ekiti state out of the present quagmire. They know this and that is why they are restless.

To Ekitikete, you have seen the difference, the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul. Now is the time to put yourself in a state of mind where you say to yourself, July 14th is an opportunity for me to liberate myself and use my voting power to restore good governance for the good of my state and the leaders of tomorrow. They need no rocket science to know that the tide has changed and that Ekitikete are now routing for Fayemi. 

Fayemi, has indeed changed the game for the good of Ekiti state. Lets stay united and jointly push our collective victory through. 

Ekitikete, ilu tiyi, orin ti change o!