Alimosho Politics; How Enilolobo Destroyed The Political Peace and Stability
The Way The Cookie Crumbled
There is this old saying in Yoruba land that, ile ti a fi itọ́ mọ, iri lo máa wo. Alimosho project was well conceived and the proponents were all getting along very well. They seemed to trust each other and were ready to concede leadership to anyone whom destiny may smile upon as they get along. As fate will have it, the mantle of leadership finally fell on the youngest of them all and others never bothered. So, they set on this mission to make history with Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, ‘The Young’, as their leader.
With determination and a very clear understanding of their mission, they were able to weather the storm together and, in no distant time, the once despised and unknown Alimosho Local Government council among 20 became a leading light that 19 others looked up to during turbulent electoral exercises. People marvelled at how Alimosho politics was being managed and none of them could boast of having the kind of political bond that existed in Alimosho and for many years, it was intact until...
The critical questions begging for answers have been; what exactly was it that made Alimosho thick? What kind of political gimmick had the leadership been applying? Why had there not been any implosion despite the various political groupings that existed then, which are far tougher and seriously overcharging the political atmosphere? Or can we really compare the days of Mayegun and Ambassadors to what we have today? Anyway, that is for those who were involved then, not all these emergency comrades and reformers who are newly recruited, unfortunately again, by those who equally came when the dust raised then was just settling down.
The leaders then had tougher challenges to manage - fortunately, they sailed through. Why? Because they had a dream! They understood where they were coming from, they knew how they got to where they were and equally knew where they were going. However, a time came when another saying of our forefathers that ogun ọmọde kole ṣeré fun ogun ọdun came to fulfilment. As fate would have it again, the lot fell on the Young to move out of Lagos, and unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end.
In his wisdom, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola may have felt it would be better to hand over to another younger fellow, who may be able to paddle the canoe under the guidance of his (Aregbesola's) colleagues with whom they began the journey. Personally, I did not see anything wrong in that, but one of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to choose a promising successor amidst your followers. This has been one major thing that stands Asiwaju out among his peers; he chose Fashola, not even among those that began the journey with him and Lagos State and Nigeria, at large had benefited from this brilliant decision of a visionary leader. Fashola was able to prove to us that, you do not necessarily have to be part of a dream before you can run with it, as all you need is the readiness to learn and the sincerity in execution.
The story of Alimosho began to change almost immediately, basically because the new mayor had a different motive. His vision was not to liberate but to dominate. The first thing he did that laid the foundation for the disintegration of Alimosho was to jettison the theory of a “win-win” syndrome he inherited for a “winner-takes-all” that began to build bad blood which led to the implosion which is now being rectified by Jagaban who merely stepped in by referring us back to that magic wand that bound us together for years - a win-win syndrome. Yet, some sycophants are bent on making the labour of our past heroes in Alimosho, be in vain.
Today, people see Yayi as a short devil but I say no, even though I have never been close to him. Is this not the same Yayi that was in the Lagos State House of Assembly for 8 years? Sincerely speaking, can we say this was the same man that represented Alimosho 02 for two terms then and further went to represent us at the Federal House of Representatives? Why did he become useless to us on getting to the Senate? Simple! The style of leadership in Alimosho has changed.
There was a time when legislative duties in Alimosho was quite vibrant. They had powers to check the excesses of the executive Chairmen and once the Chairmen notice this, they immediately adjusted and in critical cases, the leadership waded in and normalcy was restored. What happens today? Legislators in Alimosho have been castrated. They can no longer perform in their places of assignment. They are treated like council Chairmen's employees, while the electorate and party members suffer. Again, why? Again, simply because Alimosho leadership style has changed! The once robust, vibrant and energetic youth and women wing of the party that was an envy of other councils suddenly became docile. Why? Because Alimosho leadership style has changed! Then what is it that had changed in Alimosho leadership?
One of the pillars on which Yoruba tradition was built, was morals, and that is when we begin to talk about ọmọluabi. Our tradition teaches us to respect elders and give honour to whom it is due. When power finally got into Enilolobo's head, he threw morals away and up till this time that I am writing this piece, I stand to be corrected, Alhaji Enilolobo
addresses the likes of Alhaji Oriire, Alhaji Y.Y. Cooperator Shodiya and the likes as if he is addressing his younger ones and those ones too never mind. Why? Because he is the one to secure the various illegitimate sources of their income. Take it or leave it, it is a taboo in our land with grave repercussion.
Seeing this, all political appointees and the elected became automatic slaves and the fear of Enilolobo became the beginning of wisdom in Alimosho. With this, everything collapsed in Alimosho. Those leaders that could not stand this shenanigans had to bow out; some out of politics and others, to other political parties, and gradually, the cookie began to crumble.
Even outside Alimosho, Enilolobo's arrogance knew no bounds. He talks down on anybody at will, insults those, who ordinarily, he could not stand before to speak, by virtue of their background and social standing. Enilolobo became extremely power drunk that he even boasted to be the architect of the misfortune that befell Ambode, simply because he disrespected him. These are direct repercussions of the moral values he failed to observe as he ascended leadership. One then wonders, how this once lowly personality became a terror. It is just because Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola kept on indulging him. At a time, various rumors began to fly on why Aregbesola could no longer tame the monster that Enilolobo had become. And so Alimosho was sold into bondage as the new master in charge, surrounded himself with sycophants and dare devil personalities like Alhaji Yisa Yusuf and co, who made sure that all major sources of council IGR are under their purview. Thus, the collective Commonwealth of Alimosho was mortgaged.
Her Excellency, Joke Orelope Adefulire, being conscious of the travails of the people in Alimosho, came and simply offered that we go back to status quo, the ‘win-win syndrome’. From her actions and words, he is not even asking for too much, just a few changes to pave way for a better Alimosho, yet some bootlickers and sycophants who are equally suffering could not comprehend. Not really that they do not want freedom but they never believed it could come so easily. However, for such people, I have a message from Her Excellency, Joke Orelope Adefulire, Hon. Tayo Oduntan, Alhaji Abiodun Ejigbadero and their fellow colleagues that, “our days of toils and lamentations are over. No more grieving and weeping. Freedom is here and hope for a better Alimosho is assured. No more segregation. Members shall be treated equally and with respect. Let us all join hands together with them to build a better Alimosho for all of us including the renegades.”
Alimosho Liberation Movement
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