EKITI ELECTIONS 2014: LESSONS FOR LEADERS: By Wale Olulana Many years ago in a faraway kingdom, there was a wise and very well educated king. He poured out his resources to build the most magnificent structures of his day, generated untold revenue from tourism and laid up gold as dust. There was evidence of his vast wealth, knowledge and excellence everywhere you turned in this kingdom. However, there was one major flaw. This wise man, made the yoke of his subjects, heavy. Despite being divinely handpicked and having popularity and wide support in gaining the throne, the good book says, this man, King Solomon, built his empire at the expense of his people’s welfare. His heir, Rehoboam, followed in his stead and worse. Needless to say, the people revolted and voted with their feet with a majority of 10 tribes to two, despite his incumbency. In some ways, this biblical account holds the key to the fate meted out to JKF at the last Gubernatorial election. Over the past few days, I have mused over the urge to share my perspective. Since the results, the media has not been short of various insights into what and why. Depending on which side you are, many pundits have praised the electorates while others vilified them as ingrates. Some have likened Fayemi (a.k.a. JKF) to the biblical stone that the builders rejected, but they seem to have forgotten that, ‘that Stone became flesh, dwelt amongst us and touched our infirmities’. I do not seek to lengthen the list but simply to bring a balance. Clearly, Ekiti has voted out the first clear leader with a vision, (by all means not the last), but the surprise is, some people make it sound like it was the Messiah that was voted out! The jury is even still out on the true financial cost to the State, Fayemi’s grand vision having been built. There also seems to be an undertone that Ekiti people are anti-elitism, anti- progressive, while at the same time, almost everyone alluded to the fact that Ekitians are intelligent, educated, strong willed and don’t forget…opinionated. Some may inadvertently imply that JKF’s bright and admirable qualifications or international exposure worked against him, a view that is far removed from truth! It is almost like Ekiti opted for ‘mediocrity’ in the face of ‘excellence’. The people of Ekiti state, the land of scholars, hard work and integrity are too intelligent to be so limited in judgment. No matter what prognoses are proffered, a lesson has been handed by the people to political leaders, current and future. As someone friendly and very close with individuals at the top level of the Fayemi administration, I could see that pride and disengagement from positive criticism and groans of the masses is a backlash for a leader at the polls. The elation that some of us and the masses of Ekiti had at the onset soon faded to ‘wait and see’. The Yorubas often say – ‘the drum that is beaten too loud will soon tear’. In addition, the good book says – ‘In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, but in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.’ These were lessons learnt too late by our outgoing governor. Unfortunately, on securing his hard fought power, Fayemi surrounded himself with individuals who in their best judgment seemed to have advised him to focus on building infrastructures and ignore the cries of the people, as if the two are mutually exclusive. Gradually, the people became disenfranchised, disenchanted and disconnected, while the ‘Ranka dede’ bloggers of the Governor assured him of his virtual popularity in social media. Meanwhile, in the real world, the voters started to count down for the governor and his sycophants with a ‘NO’ vote in their heart, even though they pocketed Fayemi’s doled out cash and ate his cooked rice. In leadership, a people you fail to raise will soon erase the wealth you raised. There is no kingdom without people. This is a lesson that will soon be rolled out to the rest of the country in a nationwide election. A point must come that people can no longer be bought or treated as if their voice does not count. Fayemi of all people should have known that. Most of these ‘special advisers’ or ‘consultants’ or social media sycophants will vanish after this government as quickly as they appeared. Their intolerance to criticism resulting in threats and prompt disconnection (‘block’ or ‘unfriend’) of the ‘offending party’ from social media sites—the only known avenue to engage this administration—was ridiculous. Whatever they did was right in their own eyes. They built around themselves a wall with mirrors, and could only see themselves. The fact that the most senior cabinet members of JKF could not even deliver their own ward underscores their personal dislike and aloofness among their own clan. Nevertheless, I must congratulate Fayemi for his magnanimity in defeat, he demonstrated understanding that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. I have no doubt that Fayemi’s kind of politics belongs to our New Nigeria, even though it is doubtful if the same can be said of his current political camp. JKF claims he is an historian, well, he is writing his history now and others will assess his tenure in office; its temerity or frugality, time will tell. This is only a chapter in the book, hopefully, lessons were learnt. Lastly, a toast to our governor elect – Ayo Fayose on his return to office. He needs to be reminded that a standard has now been set by a competent but misguided leader. A state is not governed by mere popularity in the market place or okada convoy, nor by kissing royal sceptres or ruling by iron fists of terror against political rivals. Hard choices must be made but pushed through only with consultation and whether agreeable or not, governmental values and vision must be communicated with love and firmness. Fayose is following a relatively serious administration; surely, he himself must roll up his sleeves and apply the human face to noble ongoing developmental projects, rather than play politics with the people’s future. He must remind himself daily that, though this victory was a vote against Fayemi, history will judge him on what he accomplishes with the mandate. Who knows, perhaps through him, God may yet again show forth His strength out of our weakness.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 00:07:50 +0000
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