By Ayo Fajana
Many admired the charismatic, eloquent politician; Kayode Fayemi, a gifted speaker of English Language. Probably his admirer took great pride in the fact that he had a full western education. Some mistakenly considered his personality as one imbued with polished dignity and gentlemanly conduct. I took exoneration from this fell swoop misconception and stupid amoral patronage of one who does not have respect for anybody.
The events that led to his election as the Executive Governor of Ekiti State suffice to proof; as many thereafter avoided gloating triumphalism of a champion rather than a leader- One Man Special Olympic.
On June 25, 2007, he wrote of Aare Afe Babalola in his letter to Mike Okiro, the then Inspector General of Police. Hear this; “I do not begrudge this people who seek the confines of politics to peddle their biases in their quest for personal aggrandizements. Let Chief Babalola come out without equivocation and litany of double talk as to where he stands on the Ekiti and Nigeria question……”
In the subsequent paragraphs, he blue penned “It would appear that the purpose of this claim is to continue the almost unbridled security cover he enjoyed under Mr. Sunday Ehindero when he alone paraded mobile Policemen than the Governors of Oyo and Ekiti combined on the pretext of being Mr. President lawyer under your watch when he is now an ordinary citizen like the rest of us. It certainly would appear to me that Chief Afe Babalola is afraid of his new dispensation whereby no one can arrogate to himself the powers of a Sate’s Executive simply on account of being the president’s friend or lawyer. This latest attempt to use Kayode Fayemi and AC members as the justification for the unwarranted deployment of yet another huge battery of policemen who would otherwise be engaged in more critical, lifesaving duties is a hoax that should be dismissed by the Police Force unreservedly….”
More recently, among others were the following uncouth languages on the sage- listen to Dr. Kayode Fayemi;
“You are suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Failing Memory- I hope that Baba is not suffering from narcissistic personality disorder that prevents him from seeing the good in others even as he relishes his exaggerated sense of self…”
While I do not intend to incite the pubic against this self-styled leader, permit me to say that disputation is all over the world, the royal family in Britain have been recently under hammer but effusion never desecrated their institution and culture. An Ekiti man, a PhD holder for that matter, resulting into blatant incivility and ruptured into nonsensical effusion is unbecoming. One need not apply the same venom because of the protection of the costly luxury culture of some of us, well-bred citizens of Ekiti. His Excellency should be aware that writings could be based on facts but they are often severe in condemnation and over generous in praises.
Keen observers of the Ekiti Cargo Airport Project spewed out binary judgement and adore Aare Afe Babalola for his selfless services to Ekiti State. I am a living witness, a nominee of ABUAD in the Airport Evaluation Project.
In spite of the embarrassment at the instant time simply because some desire to eat and vomit, Aare Afe Babalola remained unruffled as he personally donated 2.5 Billion for fire services and navigation aids and also embarked on the construction of the car park that will gulp more than another 2 Billion Naira.
Well, Baba is perceptibly peaceful, urbane with striking humility and we feel that he doesn’t deserve this. No amount of rantings can derail him and of this great man no word is adequate, Tanto nomini nullum par elogium. Indeed, Aare, an element of change, a noble-minded nation builder, Ekiti is truly fortunate to be associated with his astonishing legacies.
With due respect to the current Governor who inherited the Airport project, Ekiti has much to contend with the buffoonery of our past political leaders especially on their developmental projects particularly the Airport where up till now some land owners are still clamoring for compensation and yet there was a claim from the almighty former Governor that the runway, taxi way, apron, all the internal roads and the terminal buildings have been completed before his exit.
Yoruba averred in glib generalization, Odo Ori Kii pa Ogbo Ori. This little David better advised, lest he return to the cave of Adullam.
Ayo Fajana writes from
Ado Ekiti.
