(Ile o gbaa, ona o gbaa lo nse ewe aeragba.)
When a man becomes restless and anxious, to the extent that he couldn’t stay peacefully in one place, Yorubas would say that such a person is acting in a manner typical to a particular leaf called ‘ ewe aeragba ‘.
Honestly, I really don’t know how they came about the conclusion that the ‘ aeragba ‘ leaf is restless but we never liked it whenever they likened us to that particular leaf that is synonymous with restlessness.
I had wanted to write about a few topics before I saw the news report which says that Governor Seyi Makinde met with former Governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso on Wednesday.
I had earlier read a story credited to Governor Makinde’s SA on Intervention concerning what he called ‘ Governor Makinde’s strides in Education and I had the urge to ask the fellow a few questions.
I definitely will create time to deal with that report.
I also saw a report about the Oyo state House of Assembly and the motion moved by the Speaker, Debo Ogundoyin with respect to power outages in Ibarapa and I wanted to do something about that report also.
Interestingly, I had created a title about my thoughts on the remaining months of Governor Makinde’s Government and when I saw the report that the Governor met with Kwakwanso on Wednesday, I decided to attend to the report of that particular meeting, most especially, when I saw that it aligned with my thoughts on how Governor Makinde might spend the remaining months in the office of the Governor of Oyo state.
If I am a political associate of Governor Seyi Makinde, by now, I would be wondering, how did we get to this point?
That is the question anyone who knows what he is doing amongst Governor Makinde’s supporters should be asking themselves.
Some months ago, Governor Makinde boldly declared that he was going to name his successor by January of 2026.
When he made the statement, he was so sure of himself. He said it boldly and with gusto.
In fact, he even pegged the age bracket for his would be successor.
Honestly, when I watched the Governor making that statement, I was confused.
I was telling myself that this man, Governor Makinde, is really an interesting man.
I was confused because Governor Makinde could not see the landmines ahead of him, because as at that time, the foundations for his present predicaments were already laid.
I was asking myself further, who is deceiving Governor Makinde that all was well?
That he was such in the driver’s seat to the extent that he has Oyo state in his palms and that he could do whatever pleases him with it?
In Governor Makinde’s shoes, I would never say it publicly that I am going to be solely responsible for picking my successor even within my political party.
Such a statement is bound to create problems in the long run after the preferred candidate has been chosen.
Except, perhaps, Governor Makinde had made the choice in private and unveiled to other potential aspirants but I’m sure that is not the case.
We keep hearing all manner of names of several associates of his as being the ‘ anointed candidate ‘.
The reality however, as I am writing this piece is that Governor Makinde does not even know the political party he is going to fly his anointed candidate, not to talk of unveiling the candidate.
I believe he must have learned a big lesson by now that while making your preparations in life, make room for the unexpected.
If you live in a Glass House, don’t throw stones.
Secondly, in politics, it pays to have a mentor.
Most especially, someone like Governor Makinde, who, until he became Governor in 2019, he had never held a political office.
The only reason Governor Makinde went away with the numerous political errors and miscalculations he made in the past is just because, in Nigeria, the Governor of a state is extremely powerful.
Most especially, when you consider the effects of section 308 of the Constitution which confers immunity from prosecution on the Governors.
It seems Governor Makinde confused this powers associated with the office he occupies to political sagacity.
Now, I think he knows better.
For the first time in his political career, Governor Makinde is finding himself all alone in the political wilderness and honestly, he is not finding it easy.
Since the day he copied Nyesom Wike by holding a Media Chat where he threw all manner of missiles at his benefactors, things have not been the same for Governor Makinde.
I said it at the time that the Media Chat was ill advised and that it would come with severe consequences.
I did not say so just because Governor Makinde insulted the president.
I was so sure that president Tinubu would certainly ignore him and I have been proven right.
However, I knew very well that his former friend and benefactor, Nyesom Wike would not take the insults he hurled at him lightly.
Not only that, there is no way you can defeat someone in a game he invented.
Governor Makinde, a few weeks before the Media Chat said he knew that some people loved to roll in the gutter and he wouldn’t join them.
If he had stayed true to that promise, perhaps, he would have escaped the current mess he has found himself.
The combination of Wike and Fayose are just too strong for a political neophyte to handle.
Governor Makinde is a two terms Governor.
That is a big deal but there are stories behind his successes on the two occasions he won election into the office of the Governor of Oyo state.
If someone decides not to acknowledge the contributions of his Destiny helpers, it doesn’t change the fact that he received assistance and help from them.
Immediately Governor Makinde broke away from the alliance that offered him a second term in office, he became a political orphan.
As much as he tried to claim sole ownership of the PDP, he failed and Wike defeated him effortlessly.
Despite the fact that he and his Group are awaiting the judgment of the Court of Appeal regarding the disputes between the contending forces, Governor Makinde could not peacefully wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Perhaps, he already knows what we don’t know.
He had ‘ coincidentally ‘ met with Atiku at Minna, Niger state.
On Wednesday, he was meeting with Kwakwanso.
I won’t be surprised, if tomorrow, I hear that he is meeting with Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state.
So, when exactly will Governor Makinde have the peace of mind to anoint a successor?
On the other hand, Wike is having things easy and good.
The former Governor of Rivers state knows when not to fight, how not to fight and who not to fight.
I am sure that in Wike’s shoes, Governor Makinde would insist on crushing Fubara.
Politics requires learning.
The fact that you are a Governor for two terms doesn’t mean that you know it all.
There are places where, even, as a two terms Governor, you still need to stoop and humble yourself.
I wish Governor Makinde well in his seemingly unending meetings and consultations.
I am only surprised that he is not man enough to take his political structures to one of the mushrooms party to challenge Tinubu for the presidency.
(Baba mo gba, beeyen ntan mi nko nii tan ara mi.)
Sola Abegunde.
