By Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello-Làbẹ́làbẹ́*
The recent purported endorsement of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq by Kabiyesi Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, the Ọlọfá of Ọffá, was a mere exercise in fundamental rights to freedom of choice and opinion to which Kabiyesi was entitled. It bears no significance in the process of nominating or electing candidates in a multiparty democracy we practice.
However, the Integrity Group cannot lose sight of the significance of the collateral damage such prompting may bear on the dignity and respectability of Oba Esuwoye as a loving father, as “ignoble” assignment might expose the respected Office to public odium.
Given that Ọffá is the cradle of progressive politics in the old Northern Nigeria, a situation whereby a sitting Governor had to lobby Monarch of the ancient town into the mucky waters of politics for narrow political interest, is not only appalling but also amounts to dragging the carpet of majesty off the feet of our Royal Fathers, and this ought to be a concern for every lover of Yoruba cultural heritage.
With this poor experiment, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq has proven the color and texture of his contempt and disrespect for Royal Fathers in the State. This could also be a barometer to gauge the Governor’s level of interest in peace and tranquility in the polity.
Perhaps it is worth reminding His Excellency to look into the contemporary history of *”Royal Endorsements”* of a certain sitting President in this country and juxtapose the aftermaths with his current exercise. It is a pity that the first lesson in history is that people learn nothing from history!
In a subtle and diplomatic language, Kabiyesi Ọlọfá must have confided in the *”endorsed”* GAA that he had no say nor vote in the internal party mechanism that could present him as candidate to INEC for 2023 elections. Therefore, it would have been better for him to find peace and harmony in the APC rather than the tragicomedy of seeking Royal *”endorsement”* that would certainly be an agonising exercise in futility.
*Comrade Abdul-Rahoof Bello-Làbẹ́làbẹ́ is the Director, Media and Publicity, Kwara APC Integrity Group.
