The recent swearing-in ceremony of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has brought to the fore the antics of the opposition, particularly the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oladipupo Adebutu, and his cohorts, who have been making frivolous and baseless allegations since the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election. Adebutu and his team have been making incisive statements and unsubstantiated claims, culminating in the recent allegation that some people were after his life.
The question is, for what? For filing a petition before the governorship election petition tribunal to challenge the victory of Governor Abiodun who was declared as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? In any contest, there must always be a winner and a loser. Either way, it is only fair for the winner to be magnanimous in victory, while the loser accepts defeat in good faith with the spirit of sportsmanship. It is essential to give the judiciary the benefit of the doubt to determine the validity of one’s case. However, Adebutu has thrown caution into the wind, attempting to intimidate the judiciary to do his bidding.
At this point, Adebutu’s political neurosis and emotional instability are getting the better of him. By exhibiting this psychological disorder, his activities have come under ridicule and scorn. Governor Abiodun has been preoccupied with the task of governance, with a renewed determination to deliver on his electoral promises to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of Ogun State.
The recent allegation of vote-buying against Adebutu, which the police are investigating, shows the extent of his desperation to win the election or subvert the will of the people. Adebutu ignored the Electorate Act prohibiting vote-buying and indirectly used money to lure the electorate. As the petitioner, he must be bold enough to come forth with evidence to be able to defend his position before the judiciary rather than resorting to cheap blackmail.
The judiciary is the pillar of democracy, and its integrity must be protected. In any normal clime, it is expected that it will be seen as such. Still, here in Nigeria, we watch the theatre of the absurd where one terrible hell-raiser is trying to co-opt everybody into believing that he won the election when judges have not sat on his case.
More worrisome is the seeming lack of capacity by the INEC to prosecute electoral offenders due to the absence of a strong political will. People often commit various electoral offences and get away with them, as is the current narrative in Ogun State. For so long, there has been a clamour for the establishment of a special electoral offences court to facilitate the speedy trial of any erring individual caught manipulating the process, but it has not seen the light of day.
As Ogun State moves forward, it needs a focused, visionary, and committed leader who has the pedigree to motivate everyone into action to attain a collective goal for the ultimate good of all. Governor Abiodun represents this leadership persona, which will ultimately reflect in good governance and the development of the state.
Adebutu must demonstrate responsible leadership by absolving himself of the allegation of electoral manipulation and abuse of the law. For so long, he has been crying blue murder. He should be courageous as a leader to avail himself of the court process through which he can clear his name for any alleged wrongdoing. To build a nation of our collective dream, there must be full respect for the laws of the land.
Nigeria has a manifest destiny, and the only way we can unleash its potential for greatness is through good leadership. A committed leadership whose focus transcends parochial self-interest and primitive accumulation of material things. Regrettably, Adebutu’s attitude to issues is the direct opposite of these virtues, and until he recognizes this, his actions and inactions will continue to fuel political neurosis in Ogun State.
