ENDNOTE: In life, only few people get a second chance to make a first impression. Fayose is evidently one of those lucky few as he returns today to the same office in Ado Ekiti from which he was forced out eight years ago. However, notwithstanding what many pundits were writing after the Ekiti State gubernatorial election won by Fayose, I am one of those people who believe that the voters were rational in their choice. For me, the people of Ekiti State knew about the shortcomings of Fayose but nonetheless voted for him because he connected with them while many may also believe in the power of redemption. But now, they have to live with the consequences of their choice. As we are constantly reminded by my big brother and sage, Dr. Eddie Iroh, at THISDAY editorial board sessions which I am privileged to chair, in dealing with many of lifes issues and challenges, it is often helpful to remember the aphorism of the Asaba woman. As he is wont to recount the profound Igbo saying which many wise heads have come to regard as the end of discussion, well before Honda produced a car of that name; according to the Asaba woman, “ife onye cho, kofu” . The translation: “ What you bargain for is what you get”. However, this second chance is an opportunity for Fayose to learn the ways of decent leadership. Converting the existential desperation of the people to electoral advantage may be politically expedient in the short run. But it does not invalidate the developmental strides made by his more enlightened and refined predecessor in office. Fayose should have the humility to learn from Fayemis legacy while seeking to improve on it. Turning Ekiti into a battle field state is not the best way to step into office on a second chance ticket. Similarly, storming court rooms to inflict corporal punishment on judges does not justify the confidence of the ordinary Ekiti man that their mandate should buy them peace, civility and some modicum of progress. Even as I hope he will learn from his first misadventure in power, I wish Fayose a successful tenure as Ekiti State Governor.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:04:45 +0000
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