Nasarawa 2019: Osun rerun election as wakeup call
The recent defeat suffered by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun West senatorial rerun election where Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner is but a wakeup call for governors ahead of the 2019 general election.
The turnout of the election is but a confirmation that the electorates would no longer tolerate imposition of candidates by political parties, especially by governors who may want to anoint their cronies to succeed them in office.
Ademola Adeleke, brother to the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke was said to have been the preferred candidate but had to leave the APC barely a month to the rerun following discontentment arising from the outcome of the party’s primary election.
While the electorates in the Osun West senatorial district identified with Ademola Adeleke, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the national headquarters of the ruling party instead picked Mudashiru Hussein as the APC candidate, leaving Adeleke with no option than to defect to the PDP and to eventually win the rerun election via a protest vote.
The outcome of the Osun rerun is but indeed a rude shock, especially against the backdrop of the support enjoyed by the APC administration in the state led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
This is indeed a warning to other state governors across the country, particularly Nasarawa State and as the 2019 general election approaches.
Already, unconfirmed reports indicate that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura may have shown interest in the candidacy of one or the other of the numerous politicians warming up and seeking to replace him come 2019.
There are also allegations of some political heavy weights in the state clandestinely meeting to anoint the candidature of another politician.
This however does not preclude that individuals, the governor inclusive as well as top politicians in the state may not have their preferences and have every right to support a candidate of their choice.
Nevertheless, as the Osun rerun election has shown, it would be far better if these influential politicians pay heed to the yearning and aspirations of the people instead of forcing a candidate of their choice on the electorate.
This could only be achieved if the state governor maintains absolute neutrality by strictly adhering to the dictates of the country’s constitution, Electoral Act and party guidelines regarding the process leading to the emergence of an acceptable governorship flag bearer of the APC in the state for the 2019 general election.
So far, Governor Al-makura has demonstrated sterling leadership qualities and has been a father to all. Judging from his disposition, particularly against his recent comment calling for the scrapping of the senate in order to cut high cost of governance, amidst clamor for him to join the race for the Nasarawa South senatorial seat, shows him as a true democrat who could not be blinded by personal interest.
Now, it is pertinent to draw the attention of the governor on the need for him to sustain his independence of mind, an essential factor responsible for his tremendous achievements in the state. It is arguable that had Governor Al-makura pandered to the whims of mostly selfish politicians, he could have hardly attained the feat he would eventually bequeath to the state.
As the true progressive that he is, Al-makura most not allow personal interest influence a process requiring utmost sincerity of purpose and selflessness, placing a collective burden on him as a father to the state to remain just and fair to all.
The outcome of the Osun senatorial rerun election more than anything else remains a wakeup call for Governor Almakura to do the needful and to allow the electorates in Nasarawa State elect the next governor of their choice. That way posterity would judge him as not only the father of the state but a leader that gallantly made his mark in the political history of the state.
Shuaibu Usman writes in from Shabu in Lafia, Nasarawa State