Ekiti and the June 20 poll

Party unity is thus predicated on consensus, wider consultation, mutual agreement, effective information dissemination, communication flow, conflict resolution, feedback on government activities, accessibility to the corridor of power and collective responsibility.

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The forthcoming poll connects all Ekiti residents and elsewhere, being an important periodical festival of unity and leadership assessment in a far-flung rural confederation of historical settlements that relish the bond of principle, primacy of group identity, preservation of that distinctiveness and potency of cultural heritage.

Flowing from this is the realisation that the culturally and linguistically homogeneous Ekiti, where the indigenes or inhabitants share a common legacy, is one unique and indivisible entity. Put succinctly, Ekiti is one zone. Therefore, where the governor comes from in any part of the state is a non-issue, and zoning or rotation, which is a divisive and destabilising factor in other states, is immaterial.

During the election, the APC would be assisted by leaders of the  opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Siamese twin brother, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to deliver victory to Governor Biodun Oyebanji. The synergy has its roots in the governor's style of inclusion and accommodation to foster brotherhood, harmony and peace.

The support base is beyond the party; it is the movement of Ekiti people within the context of the collective push for continuity. Youths, women's groups, civil servants, local government workers, retirees, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the class of patriotic and ageing founding fathers who fought for the creation of the state are speaking in one voice about lack of vacancy in the Government House.

It is unprecedented that four predecessors from different political parties are putting their deep-seated differences aside and supporting the current chief servant of the state for the second term that eluded two of them, and which the remaining two later achieved through double efforts and hard struggles that polarised the state.

Predecessors are pleased with successors who accord them due respect and complete their projects instead of abandoning them. Mere visitations, consultations for advice, extension of public courtesy and protection of their legacies instead of destroying them often engender confidence and prevent predecessor-successor conflict. This is the case in Ekiti under Oyebanji.

The few, vociferous elements who opposed the governor's candidature in the state chapter of the ruling APC four years ago have also reconciled and become chief campaigners for BAO, in acknowledgement of his competence, capacity and statesmanship.

The June 20 election would be a referendum on the scorecard of the poll-confident governor, who has, in the last three and a half years, worked tirelessly to fulfil his campaign promises.

Although Ekiti is a close-knit political zone, it is not easy to govern the enclave. It is one of the most educated states in the country. There is no family without a doctorate degree holder. While warriors Balogun Ogedengbe and Prince Fabunmi liberated the Ekiti Confederation from Ibadan slavery in the 18th century, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the defunct Western Region, liberated them from the scourge of ignorance through his free education programme in the 1950s. The people have attained a high level of political consciousness and they are never swayed by frivolities, deceit, prevarication and falsehood.

Their assessment of the governor is based on facts and evidence. Oyebanji has offered good leadership. He has deployed the state's meagre resources judiciously. There is equity in the sense that no senatorial district, constituency and local government is excluded in the distribution of social infrastructure.

It is gratifying that the preparations for the poll do not constitute a distraction to good governance. The implementation of capital projects is not put in abeyance. More road contracts are being awarded across the state and contractors are not complaining about a lack of funding.

Ekiti has heeded the presidential advice that governors should wet the ground through the execution of more people-oriented projects that impact the people's welfare.

At the close of the poll on June 20, the governor would have broken the one-term jinx and become the first chief executive to secure a democratic mandate to govern for an uninterrupted two terms of eight years.

The campaign is relatively easier for the ruling party. While the governor would be soliciting votes based on what he has achieved for Ekiti, his challengers, who are not in that vantage position, would be reeling out promises. While Oyebanji would be pointing to the roads he has constructed, the hospitals he has built, the schools he has rehabilitated and other essential infrastructure he has put in place based on a need analysis, his rivals would only approach voters with a mere pledge or an undertaking.

Indeed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 'same of the same' African Democratic Congress (ADC), are down. Although their candidates are known, the platforms are weak. While the PDP is assailed by a protracted leadership crisis that nearly robbed the Ekiti chapter of a candidate, ADC battles with an identity crisis in Ekiti.

So far, the spade work has been properly laid down. But there may be a need for continuous review of strategies for better results.

An election is an emotive issue. It unleashes nightmares and anxiety on the polity. A winning party cannot afford to sleep on guard.

However, while exuding confidence, the Ekiti APC still has to mobilise to avoid apathy on poll day. The anticipation of victory should be backed by a door-to-door, grassroots campaign to avoid voter laxity, fatigue and aloofness, which may reduce the margin. The feeling or assumption of "la i ti e dibo, o ti wole' could pale into a colossal error. As the forerunner to the Osun poll and prelude to next year's general election, much is expected of the vibrant Ekiti APC in terms of mobilisation.

The party, at this dying minute, should also keep its unity and put its house in order.

There is a scramble by many aspirants for a few senatorial, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly seats. The management of nomination politics, particularly the selection of candidates for federal and state parliamentary elections, is important to avoid a post-primary crisis.

With all hands on deck for BAO, a smooth return sail to the Government House is assured. By June 22 or 23, the victory song for the governor should be on the lips of all progressives in Ekiti.