The Mighty Enilolobo And Mafe's Resurgence

I have been watching the Alimosho political space with amazement, and how power is gradually drifting from the mighty to the discerned weak. It is, no doubt, a strong reminder that there is no life Champion anywhere in the world. Growing up, from sports to politics, we recall how prominent personalities like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan, Abedi Pele, Diego Maradona, Muammar Gaddafi and a host of others reigned and how they gradually waned with time. Indeed, power is truly, transient.

Since a couple of years back and until recently, all political decisions and might rested on the palms of the Mighty Enilolobo. Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo was so powerful that every political matter in Alimosho and, at some point, in Lagos West Senatorial District, was settled in his house. Among his guests were governors, commissioners and other very powerful personalities across the state. Even then, he chose whom to see and whom not to see, Governor, inclusive.

When the going was good, Enilolobo singlehandedly relegated a former deputy Governor in her Local Government and Constituency. He proscribed her and her entire followers, rendering them completely irrelevant in less than a year. They fought and struggled to regain their position but all to no avail. To be politically relevant in Alimosho, being submissive and loyal to Enilolobo is a  non-compromisable condition.

With phone calls, he had stripped powers off those who contended with his superiority. He dictated and decided who becomes what and when. It amazes me how this singular force had never contested any political post and had never held any public office, yet wielded so much powers  and controlled political and public officeholders. 

During the campaign that brought Governor Sanwoolu to power, Hon. Abiodun Mafe, a two-term Council Chairman of Mosan-Okunola LCDA, was appointed the Director, Political Matter for Governor Sanwoolu and Dr. Olufemi Hamzat campaign team. He had resumed office and begun operations until suddenly, he received a letter of termination of appointment, simply because a fellow appointee was not comfortable working with him. Enilolobo, who was also appointed as Director for Mobilisation, never hid his dislike for Hon. Abiodun  Mafe and he often threatened that he would ensure that Mafe was replaced. It sounded like a joke but it came to fruition when he was suddenly sacked. Every attempt by the feasibly rattled Abiodun Mafe to be recalled proved abortive as his fate was sealed with Enilolobo's dominance. He was so powerful that he raised his voice when he talked to Governors. He called them at will, he was highly respected.

But like the Yoruba adage would say - when the time comes for a man to be degraded, he puts on the garment of arrogance and pride. The once humble servant, suddenly became arrogant and brutal. He surrounded himself only with individuals who were politically relevant and highly placed. He did not only turn politics into his business but a family heritage where he could get a person appointed in the morning and sacked by noon. He would do this with ordinary phone calls and needed not to leave his house to bring anyone down - he was well-connected and truly, in charge.

After Enilolobo's show of power and influence, Abiodun Mafe became depressed and belittled. The fun was on at Enilolobo's camp while the anguish was burning in Mafe's mind. But while he nursed his wound, he continued to pray to God for elevation - God never ignores the cry of the weak and cheated fellow. From nowhere and almost when all hope was lost, the Sun rose above Mafe's cold skull. He got a federal appointment as member of the APC Membership Registration Committee for Lagos State. He was the only person from Alimosho.

This development sent hot winds to Enilolobo's camp as they have always believed they would dominate the exercise and manipulate events as they have always done. They suddenly developed cold feet and sent a deafening silence across the length and breadth of Alimosho. Just a few days to the end of 2020, Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, founder, Carry Go Foundation presented an award tagged, "Political Game Changer" to Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo. He was dignified with lots of beautiful titles, many of which he never merited. The event dominated every social media space and one would almost mistake the title for an election victory into the highest position in the country. It is, however surprising how the same glory singers who echoed an ordinary award never mentioned the appointment of Abiodun Mafe as member of the state registration committee, even after 72 hours from the announcement. This is the height of bitterness and ill-feelings about others and their successes.

Enilolobo might need to be reminded that, just like life, power is transient and that when power changes hands, we must learn the spirit of good sportsmanship, hence the need for us to be fair in treating others when we are in positions of authority, because sooner or later, someone else will be sitting where we sit today and when that happens, we will have to take instructions from someone to whom we had given instructions when we occupied the seat.

Life indeed, is a good teacher.

ALIMOSHO LIBERATION MOVEMENT.