By Isiaka kehinde.
One does not always need facts before attempting to paint others in the darkest colours. Some people require neither tangible reasons nor convincing psychological motives to pull others down. This “pull-him-down” syndrome is especially common among certain politicians as elections draw near.
It is often called the transfer season the period when politicians defect from one party to another and immediately begin to discredit their former platform, hoping to strengthen their bargaining power in their new political home. Our elders describe such people as Agunbaje Olodo those whose principal stock-in-trade is using their mouths to disparage others.
This is the season of political anomie. Some embittered politicians appear determined to diminish Governor Oluseyi Makinde’s achievements in the court of public opinion. What makes this particularly intriguing is that many of them were once beneficiaries of the same governor’s goodwill at times when they were politically insignificant.
History is replete with similar episodes. This is by no means a novel phenomenon. Let us cast our minds back to the closing years of the administration of the late Governor Lam Adesina, around 2002. Some loyalists of his political rivals in Molete allegedly employed various strategies to portray the governor in a negative light and undermine public confidence in his leadership. They went to the point of coniving with civil servants then to obtain sensitive information for the purpose of maligning the man.
Similar tactics resurfaced during the administration of the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, whose government also faced sustained campaigns of criticism and manipulation. One can easily recall the infamous poisoned bean- cake melodrama which entailed parents rushing to pick their children and wards from school based on the rumour that the then governor was using spiritual means to kill innocent schoolkids. Such episodes have now become part of Oyo State’s political history.
Fast-forward to the present administration of Governor Oluseyi Makinde. Some of these political actors found accommodation within his government and were entrusted with sensitive positions. Through his support, they gained prominence, built valuable networks, and benefited from the goodwill extended to them by the governor and his associates.
It, therefore, comes as little surprise to many observers that some of these former allies have chosen a different political path. However, what many find disappointing is the attempt by some to repay past goodwill with relentless public criticism of not benefitting enough from GSM . Such conduct may be viewed by many as a display of ingratitude rather than principled disagreement. Like the proverbial Oliver Twist, that is never satisfied but always seems to want more.
It will be an invalid argument supporting the flawed supposition of the insatiable people who are unnecessarily bilious over a man who is even unruffled by all they do. As aptly stated by William Shakespeare in Hamlet:
” Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.”
Governor Oluseyi Makinde is what Yoruba describes as Igi Olúgbìn—a tree planted by God. Such a tree can not easily be uprooted by persistent criticism or political mudslinging.
As these critics continue their attacks, one is reminded of the wisdom of our elders: “While they remain busy discussing you, remain busy becoming better.” Ultimately, history will judge individuals not merely by the accusations they make but by the substance of their contributions and the legacy they leave behind. Only people with unhealthy minds like them will believe whatever web of lie they weave.
