Can they Replicate Ó TÓ GÉ movement in Lagos State? By Michael Ogundiran
POLITICS DIGEST- The political space has been very interesting since the beginning of primaries across-the-board last year. The results of intrigues and shenanigans panning out are what have made it interesting for lovers of politics. As a young guy who has experienced few election cycles under this democratic system and read about the ones held from the first republic to the third republic, I can say this election cycle is a distinct one because it is characterised by the emergence of third force and fourth force leading to a four-horse race both for elections at the federal level and in the run up to the elections at the state level. We can’t overlook change in the choice of the citizenry as regard who governs them. Why this piece? To explain how Ó Tó Gé movement began in Kwara state and how is to be replicated indirectly in Lagos State on 18th day of March, 2023 when citizens with jingoism across 28 federating units will troop out en mass to the polls to elect their governors and representatives who will be making laws for them.
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Political observers and individuals who love keeping themselves abreast of trends and happenings in the political domain should know the strength of the Saraki’s political dynasty and how it dominated Kwara state years back. The aim to dilute the strength of this dynasty and attain it non-existence led to the emergence of Ó Tó Gé(Enough is Enough) movement which was initiated by a well-known Politician in the state. Lazeez Ayinla Kolawole (LAK). He started the usage of this slang in 2010 but there is a misconception that it began in 2019. Mr. LAK is from Kwara central. In 2003, he jostled to get PDP governorship ticket but Dr. Bukola Saraki got it. The 13th Senate President got it again in 2007 to attain reelection which made him served as the governor from 2003 to 2011 after defeating the incumbent governor – Muhammed Lawal of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP). The medical doctor (Bukola Saraki) also represented Kwara central from 2011 to 2019 and succeeded David Mark as the senate president. Did he get all these juicy positions through the influence of his father’s dynasty? That must be the question answered by LAK which prompted him to make the political revolution a boom in the build up to the 2019 election. Other notable politicians such as the current governor – Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, his deputy – Kayode Alabi, Lai Mohammed, Gbemisola Saraki and other political bigwigs were part of this movement. I think the aforementioned should answer the question why was Saraki not able to deliver Kwara state for Atiku on the 25th day of February, 2023.
The President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who most individuals see as a person who controls Lagos as a fief held positions under the third and fourth republic. He was a senator representing Lagos west under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the third republic. He was governor after the country’s transition to democracy. He governed Lagos from 1999 to 2007 under Alliance for Democracy (AD) after the military dispensation of the current NDLEA(National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) boss- Buba Marwa from 1996 to 1999. The perception which is the reality is how Tinubu influences the choice of Lagos number one citizen and this has made the same set of people to keep running the state’s affairs. Former governors such as Raji Fashola SAN, Akinwunmi Ambode and the incumbent governor- Babajide Sanwo-Olu are all from his political house.
It’s no longer a news that some folks are rooting for the labour party governorship candidate – Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour (GRV). These people are saying that Lagos is a no man’s land and anyone can rule in the state. Is that true? I need an elder statesman to answer the posed out question. Are these people who want change in government saying enough of men from Tinubu’s political dynasty ruling them as we had it in Kwara state? Are they fighting against one party system?
GRV was at the palace(Iga Idunganran) of Oba of Lagos yesterday and the king said “I declared my support for Sanwo-Olu because I believe in him and the Lord has said it is Sanwo-Olu who will win. “For you Gbadebo, the future is open to us. God will not kill you, there is nothing wrong in you contesting. All of those contesting are my children. God should help us to make the state better. When Sanwo-Olu wins, the government will involve all of us, there is no winner takes all, and God will grant him long life.” What does that portend? Is it an omen for landslide victory of Gov. Sanwo-Olu?
Some netizens who are Yoruba have laid vituperation on GRV in several manners ranging from his participation in EndSARS protest, agitation for IPOB nation, inability to speak fluent yoruba language and uncouth behaviours he showcased when he visited Oba Akiolu.
What would be the eventuality of this back and forth? Electorates will decide on Saturday. Interesting times ahead.
Ogundiran Michael Blessing AAT, ACA*
Accounting student, Federal University Oye-ekiti Ekiti state
[email protected] 09036447289