Mulero Ademola
It is an incontrovertible fact that the history of politics cum governance in Nigeria can never be complete without making reference to the greatness of a people called the Egbas. Can the role of the famous political campaigner and human right activist Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti in the actualization of a sovereign Nigeria be questioned? I strongly doubt.
Right from the charge for liberty, Egbas were known to be at the forefront leading the drive to deliver an independent Nigeria. By the time the goal of independence was achieved, the people of Egba land never rested their gears, they were decently active in laying the foundation for a viable Nigeria, economically, politically, educationally, socially and even religiously.
After 1960 when Nigeria had achieved self-rule, the southern region has been privileged to govern the country for twenty one years, out of this vicennial government of the southerners, the people of Egba land alone have led for eleven years, not adding the MKO Abiola's mandate that was recently restored by President Buhari.
The lots of the Egbas started with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria as a military head of states between 1976 to 1979, they had their next shot at the No 1 seat in Nigeria with Chief Ernest Adekunle Shonekan who led Nigeria for 3 months in the year 1993. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo resurfaced in year 1999 after the military bequeathed running of the Nation to civilians by embracing democracy, he led Nigeria for another eight years between 1999 to 2007 as a democratically elected President.
Chief Moshood Kasimaawo Olawale Abiola(MKO) is another Egba personality whose exploits and success at National politics was subdued by the autocracy of the military regime. He won the 1993 presidential election in grand style, but against the wishes of the masses and the attestation of international observers who posited that the election was the freest and fairest, the military regime of Babangida nullified his election. He was however, later declared as the winner of the 1993 presidential election, placed on the list of past Nigerian presidents, and given the presidential honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic by President Muhammadu Buhari in death.
As Nigerians look forward to 2023, when the piloting of the affairs of the Nation will change hands, there are many southerners whose names have surfaced either by public declaration of their ambition, nearness to the corridors of power, political antecedents, experiences in public administration or political prevalence, but there is a name that distinctly stands out, and it is that of the two-term former governor of Ogun State and a senator in the 9th Assembly representing Ogun central; IBIKUNLE AMOSUN.
Aside from being one of the most experienced public office holders in the entire southern region, his enviable performance as the governor of Ogun State in the aspects of security, revenue generation, prudent management of resources, infrastructural development, agriculture, education and health perfectly fits into the yearning of Nigerians and thus places him at the front burner in the 2023 presidential debate.
Another favourable indices for his aspiration is his silky relationship with notable politicians from other regions of the country such as Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Gov. Yari, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Senator Alli Ndume and a host of others. Amosun's political clot ties across board as he has loyalists in the opposition who would gladly jump ship anytime they knew he is flying another party's flag in an election. Added to the facts stated above, he is also one of the most trusted lieutenants of president Muhammadu Buhari.
Is 2023 going to be another era of serendipity for the people of Ogun State via the EGBAS at national politics through Senator Ibikunle AMOSUN? The indicators look advantageous and calculative to be ignored by political analyst, considering the current vice president, YO is from Ogun East and eyeing the seat too!
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