“A house divided against itself may stand for a while, but when the real storm comes, its cracks will surely be exposed.”

By Olamide Akintayo, a Concerned Citizen of Ondo South

As a critical thinker and political observer with a keen interest in the development and political progress of my dear Ondo South Senatorial District, I have watched with concern the events unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

To be honest, things do not appear to be going as smoothly as they should within the party. The disagreements, fallouts and controversies surrounding the recent primaries, particularly the Senatorial primary, have created wounds that cannot simply be wished away.

In politics, popularity, acceptability and the ability to win elections should always matter. Unfortunately, there is a growing perception that these important considerations have sometimes been pushed aside in favour of personal relationships and political interests.

Politics is ultimately about people. The candidate who can connect with the people, unite different groups and deliver victory should be given serious consideration.

One cannot ignore the fact that Ilaje Local Government has produced the incumbent Executive Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is also the first full Executive Governor of the state from Ilaje.

Beyond that, Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency currently has other important appointments and political representations connected to Ilaje, including Hon. Otito Atikase, Ondo State representative on the NDDC Board; Ambassador Joseph Olusola Iji, Ambassador to the Russian Federation; and the leadership of OSOPADEC, currently chaired by Prince Biyi Poroye while some local Government from Ondo South has no Federal presence at all.

Against this background, many people are asking a legitimate political question: why has the APC Senatorial ticket once again gone to Ese-Odo, specifically Arogbo, where Hon. Donald Ojogo also hails from?

This is not an argument against the people of Ese-Odo or Arogbo. They are important stakeholders in Ondo South and deserve every opportunity to participate in leadership.

Rather, my concern is about balance, political strategy and the need to spread opportunities fairly across the Senatorial District.

If we continue to make political decisions based largely on personal relationships, rather than broader acceptability and electoral strength, we may eventually pay a heavy price at the polls.

THE ISSUE OF RECONCILIATION

Another issue that should concern every genuine APC member is the level of reconciliation after the primaries.

Politics does not end immediately after a primary election. In fact, that is where the real work begins.

Those who contested and lost are not enemies. They are still members of the same political family, and many of them have supporters, structures and significant influence across Ondo South.

Among those who were associated with the APC Ondo South Senatorial contest are:

• Mayowa Akinfolarin
• Morayo Lebi
• Agboola Ajayi
• Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO)
• Jumoke Akindele
• Boye Oyewumi
• Diran Iyantan
• Kayode Fakuyi
• and other interested aspirants.

The decision to adopt a consensus arrangement around Isaacs Kekemeke has, understandably, left different camps with concerns and grievances.

Whether one agrees with the arrangement or not, the reality is that these political wounds must be addressed before the 2027 election.

I am particularly concerned about reports and comments attributed to Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) suggesting that he intends to contest the Senatorial election on another platform. He has reportedly said on different occasions that he will be on the ballot, although he has not publicly disclosed which party he intends to contest under.

For now, fingers remain crossed.

But this is precisely why the APC leadership should not wait until things become irreversible before reaching out.

THE APC CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE ONDO SOUTH FOR GRANTED

As an ardent supporter of the APC, I believe the party still has enough time to correct whatever mistakes may have been made.

The Governor, the State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, and the relevant leaders of the party should urgently begin genuine reconciliation with all the aspirants and stakeholders.

The question is simple:

How many of those who purchased nomination forms have been genuinely reached out to?

How many of them have been properly engaged?

How many have been given a sense of belonging?

How many of their supporters have been brought into the reconciliation process?

Winning an election is not just about having a candidate. It is about building a united political family around that candidate.

A candidate cannot do it alone.

The APC must therefore understand that every aspirant has supporters, friends, structures and influence. If these people feel ignored or humiliated, their silence should not automatically be interpreted as loyalty.

TIME TO PUT ONDO SOUTH FIRST

The 2027 election is approaching, and the campaign season is already upon us.

This is not the time for camps, grudges and political ego. It is time for serious engagement.

The APC must look beyond individual interests and ask one fundamental question:

What is best for Ondo South and what will give the party the strongest chance of winning?

We need a Senator who will represent the entire Senatorial District, not just one local government or one political camp.

We need a party that recognises that Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo are all important components of Ondo South.

No part should feel deliberately marginalised.

No aspirant should feel discarded after serving the party.

And no supporter should be made to believe that political relevance belongs exclusively to a particular group.

My position is not an attack on Governor Aiyedatiwa, the APC leadership or any individual aspirant. It is a concerned observation from someone who wants the APC to succeed and, more importantly, wants Ondo South to benefit from quality representation.

The APC still has an opportunity to put its house in order.

Let there be genuine reconciliation.

Let there be sincere engagement.

Let grievances be addressed.

Let personal differences be put aside.

And let every stakeholder understand that 2027 is bigger than any individual ambition.

If the APC gets it right, Ondo South can remain a stronghold of the party.

But if the party ignores the cracks within its own house, the consequences may become difficult to manage when the real contest begins.

Ondo South deserves better.

The APC deserves unity.

And 2027 demands wisdom, maturity and strategic thinking.

Olamide Akintayo
Concerned Citizen, Ondo South Senatorial District

In an era where political leadership is often judged by spectacles rather than the substance of delivery, the administration of His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa stands out for its deliberate, methodical, and quietly transformative approach. One year into his stewardship of Ondo State, the forms of a governance style are becoming increasingly visible. We can see continuity, inclusiveness, and institutional respect.

The Yoruba saying, “Arise l’arika, arika ni baba iregun,” is a multi-layered adage often used to discuss legacy, gratitude, and accountability. In one-year of Ayedatiwa’s administration the people of Ondo state can see and count what he has done and what he is doing.

Perhaps, we can start counting from his unwavering focus on continuity. In a political culture where new administrations often abandon inherited projects, Ayedatiwa has taken a different path. By prioritising the completion of projects initiated by his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu, he has proven to be the biggest legacy of Arakunrin. This commitment signals institutional maturity and fiscal responsibility.

Governor Ayedatiwa’s determination to develop Akure into a modern state capital has also not gone unnoticed. His urban renewal initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and focus on planning signal a desire to transform Akure into a hub that reflects its status as a state capital. A modern capital is a combination of aesthetics, functionality, and economic vitality. He is bringing all of these to bear on what is definitely a broader developmental agenda.

Unlike governance models that concentrate resources in urban centres, Ayedatiwa has demonstrated a balanced commitment to all 18 local government areas of the state. From road construction/rehabilitation to health and educational interventions, there is a discernible effort to ensure that development is not an exclusive preserve of a few urban enclaves but a shared experience across communities. The grassroots are feeling the impact of this administration.

Taking the reckoning beyond the formal structures of governance, we also have the deep respect for traditional institutions to count. Across the state, Ayedatiwa has engaged traditional rulers with respect. Recognising the functionality of traditional authority, he has consistently strengthened governance at the grassroots level. The brand-new Toyota SUVs he recently presented to traditional rulers have enhanced their welfare and mobility. The vehicles have also boosted their capacity to maintain peace and security in their domains.

Another defining feature of his governance is a firm commitment to due process in the award of contracts. At a time when concerns about transparency and accountability remain central to public discourse, Ayedatiwa’s insistence on procedural integrity sends a strong message about the sanctity of public resources. Contracts are subjected to scrutiny, competitive processes are encouraged, and the emphasis on value-for-money reflects a leadership mindful of both present needs and future obligations.

In addition to managing internal resources prudently, the governor has shown a forward-looking commitment to sourcing external funding for transformational projects like the Port Ondo. By courting development partners and exploring alternative financing mechanisms, he is positioning the state to undertake large-scale infrastructure and social investments that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Without noise, roads and water schemes are being completed, hospitals and health centers are equipped, agribusiness is being empowered to increase food supply, thousands of teachers are recruited and backlog of pension arrears paid, schools are being renovated, security is enhanced by recruitment of more personnel into Amotekun corps and distribution of utility vehicles to security agencies, institutions are being strengthened, and governance is becoming more accountable. Taken together, these strides point to a leadership style that places steady progress over and above spectacle.

As Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa enters the second year of his administration, the foundations laid in the first-year offer reason for whole-hearted optimism. If one year offers this much, the second year is bound to deliver more tangible outcomes. For a people so used to expectations being dashed, the experience of the last one year suggests that quiet and methodical leadership can indeed deliver enduring progress.

Prince Lawson Akintokun, fisn is a Special Assistant to the Governor on Election Matters. He writes from Igbokoda.

As the April 20th, 2024 primary election approaches, the Ondo APC chapter faces a pivotal decision in selecting its flag bearer. Expert analysis and opinion poll results strongly advocate for Hon. Jimi Odimayo as the ideal candidate to lead the party to victory. Odimayo’s visionary agenda, meticulously evaluated and deemed the most promising, offers transformative solutions for ONDO State and the APC.

His bold leadership approach encompasses strategic initiatives for economic development, job creation, and infrastructure enhancement, setting a new benchmark for governance within the party.

With the potential to catalyze positive change across various sectors, Odimayo’s agenda prioritizes grassroots engagement and community development, ensuring inclusivity and representation for all.

As a candidate for progress endorsed by research findings, Hon. Jimi Odimayo embodies the future of ONDO State, poised to lead the APC towards unprecedented prosperity and development. It’s time for the Ondo APC to unite behind Odimayo’s visionary leadership for a brighter tomorrow.

~ MEDIA TEAM, OMO’BA JIMI ODIMAYO CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION.

What will work against Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN in Akure South, Akure North, Idanre, Ondo East, and West LGAs

INTRODUCTION

Following the lacklustre outing of APC in Osun state, the hope of a PDP candidate for the Ondo Central Senatorial district has become brighter while the reverse is the case for the APC flag bearer. This zone has six local governments of Akure North, Akure South, Idanre, Ifedore, Ondo East, and West. Since the inception of this political dispensation, a man from Ondo town was elected as a senator of the zone from 1999 to 2011, Sen. Dr Gbenga Ogunniya, on the fourth attempt, lost to Dr Ayo Akinyelure (Allover) who is presently a ranking and outgoing senator.

Also, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, former commissioner for finance to late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s administration, had a term in the red chamber between 2015 to 2019, and became a minister of the federation until he was deceived and betrayed by Aketi to favour a political tyro, Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN whose political observers would describe as an epileptic politician, he comes home during primary elections to paste posters and vamoses when exercises are over. He surprisingly emerged as the Senatorial candidate of the APC in 2023, to enviously sideline Chief Alasoadura politically by Aketi and his political jobbers.

Many theories have been postulated on why this Akure North political juggernaut (Alash) was unjustly treated unceremoniously by Mr Ade Adetimehin (APC state chairman) based on Aketi’s order despite the favours he (Alash) politically showed on Mr. governor in the past. It has been inferred that most political heavyweights in APC were intentionally shortchanged by Arakunrin and his stooges to pave a way for the Aketi’s puppet for 2024 governorship in the state.

They believe that all the perceived political hindrances (all politicians who may likely work against Mr. governor’s preference) must go. Chief Tayo Alasoadura who believes that party members, not Mr. governor should produce Aketi’s successor has to be checkmated by Aketi and his agents. This might explain why political Igodomigodos were relegated to back for current featherweight politicians as candidates at the last APC primaries. Most of them (APC flag bearers for 2023) are not strong and politically inexperienced to challenge the choice of the governor as his successor which may be unveiled towards mid to late next year.

FACTORS THAT WILL WORK AGAINST ADEGBONMIRE.

If not for the emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate of APC, there won’t be any hope for other APC candidates. For those who are not well informed about happenings in the sunshine state, Gov. Akeredolu Oluwarotimi SAN has done so badly in all ramifications except the security aspect than previous administrations. The divide and rule tactic of Aketi has become a curse on the APC as a party. The effects of the division being orchestrated by a sitting governor which is the current order of the day in Ondo APC have just destroyed the Osun state chapter of the ruling party.

The two major contenders for Ondo’s central representative in the red chamber are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), making it another round of the battle of the silk. Both Mr Ifedayo Adedipe SAN of PDP and Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN of APC are Akure men from Akure South local government area. The battle for the race will start from this state capital which has always been won by the PDP in recent elections because the majority of civil servants are concentrated here. Considering how government employees are being maltreated by the current administration of Aketi, this local government may remain a stronghold of PDP.

Another local government of Akure, Akure North local government helped Mr Mayorkun Lawson Alade (LAF) of APC to win the recent bye-election for the house of representatives. The winning machine for these areas has been Sen. Tayo Alasoadura. This Iju-born political giant was denied the Senatorial ticket and his supporters have vowed revenge politically. Chief Ifedayo Adedipe SAN of PDP may win these areas come 2023. In the like manner, Ondo East and West local government areas are other areas in Ondo Central under the influence of Dr Mimiko, the current godfather of the state chapter of PDP. In all honesty, APC doesn’t deserve to win these Ekimogun areas because they have been so far neglected by the Aketi-led state government.

The current issues of Idanre forest reserves in which PDP have accused Aketi’s government of selling the age-long heritage of these people to the governor’s cronies through proxies will make the local government another area where the PDP candidate may coast home to victory. The hardworking Idanre youths have invested so much in agriculture despite the apathy for the earliest profession among their peers in most African countries. The current anti-people and widely criticized actions of Aketi may work against his anointed candidate, Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN of APC.

IN CONCLUSION

Politics is not one plus one which always equals two, from the above-stated facts, five of the six local governments may go to PDP in 2023 if Mr Ifedayo Adedipe SAN does his homework well. APC can boast of victory only in Ifedore local government unless the unexpected happens. The last election of Osun state in which the APC lost despite its alleged monetization, is an eye opener that power belongs to the people. PDP candidates will definitely benefit from the current rancour in the state chapter of APC, especially that offended party stalwarts want to take their pound of flesh as payback against Aketi and Mr Ade Adetimehin for their misrules in the APC as a party vis-a-vis the entire state.

Dr. Akeredolu O.N, Leader, Aketi Medical Team, 2016 and Vice Chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020

AN OPEN LETTER TO ARAKUNRIN AKEREDOLU OF ONDO STATE.

Dear Arakunrin,

I’m writing you this Letter because I am in the same party APC with you and for the goodly manner with which you have handled issues of Security in our dear state.

Indeed your efforts on Security of lives and properties which is your first responsibility to the citizens of Ondo is highly commendable.

Only yesterday the 16th of July 2022, I had the opportunity of passing through Owo township which I haven’t passed through in some few months.

The site was amazing seeing the dualization of the the link road between Eco Bank roundabout in Owo and Ikare junction. Kudos to Mr. Governor!

The most interesting thing is that the Contractor and his team remained in the rain as they carried out the Earthwork. That is indeed fantastic!

However, I must remind Arakunrin that whatever is good for the goose is also good for the gander. How come are Contractors in Owo, your hometown are working and those in the State Capital are not? Why is it that all the roads in Akure have become impassable and those under Construction abandoned?

Majorly the following roads under construction have become so terrible that people who live along those routes wake up to heartaches because of the damages caused daily to their vehicles. 

As a matter of fact, to say that roads are terrible is an understatement! The fear of rainy season has become the beginning of wisdom along these routes. The roads are:

1. Shoprite – Oda Road: The less than 5km road has been under construction for the last 4yrs.

2. Oluwatuyi roundabout to Ijoka Road

3. Road Block to Oke Odu

Aside these roads, most other roads in Akure are impassable. Some of them are:

1. Oke Aro

2. Owe Akala to Oke Aro titun

3. Araromi to Stadium to Onyearugbulem market.

4. Fanibi junction to champion

5. Agagu road to Ilesha garage

6. Leo to Ayedun

7. High School to Express

8. Sijuade to Oluwatuyi

9. Sijuade to Jide mark

10. Ondo road Con Oil to Danjuma

11. Danjuma to Oke Aro Titun

12. Owe Akala to Oshinle

13. I sinking Market to Danjuma

14. Ado junction to Igoba to Iju

Above are some of the roads that I can highlight here.

For posterity sake, I appeal to you to as a matter of urgency do something about all these roads. You may set up a body and saddle them with the responsiblity of maintaining a zero-pothole across the Akure metropolis.

Thanking you for your understanding. 

Yours truly,

J. J. Alabi writes from Akure

Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign should be run independently of Gov. Akeredolu of Ondo state, Otherwise, he will serve as a Jonah in the boat of Asiwaju’s victory come 2023

INTRODUCTION

Using the word “misrule” to describe the governance of Arakunrin in Ondo state is an understatement. It’s obvious that he lacks the necessary political and administrative acumen to successfully steer the affairs of the ruling party vis-a-vis Ondo state in general at a time like this. I have often pointed his attention to most of his flaws but his political sycophants believed that I was just ranting because I was not compensated for my sacrifices for him and the party. I was recently vindicated when a Professor criticized him( Aketi) in an article that went viral for his inhumane policy against the teachers of the sunshine state.

It’s obvious that Mr. governor never prepared for this present moment of his life. No doubt, he remains one of the luckiest politicians in Nigeria, in critical analysis, I find it difficult to know the luckier person between him and his age-long friend and immediate past governor of the Ondo state, Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. As we all know that politics is like a game of ludo, you need the luck to have high numbers and you must also have the good sense to count your numbers, otherwise, they will become burdens and you will eventually lose out.

Since the beginning of Aketi’s government almost six years ago, the state chapter of APC has been riddled with a lot of crises, many of the leaders who laboured for the party in the state while Aketi was busy with his legal practice in Ibadan, Oyo state, have been relegated to the back. Some of them are only waiting, enduring and wishing for the expiration of his regime. For example, you will hardly hear anything from Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Chief Awodeyi Apata and many others, despite they were co- aspirants with Aketi, respected leaders and from the same town, Owo.

It’s no longer news that President Muhammed Buhari of APC lost the state to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP in the general presidential election of 2019 because of the AA saga, orchestrated by Aketi and Mr Ade Adetimehin (APC state chairman). He, Mr Ade Adetimehin remains the first state chairman to openly campaign for candidates of another party in a competitive election against his party and continues with the party as the state chairman. At the end of everything, they weren’t bold enough to take the blame for the woeful performance of the party but rather used erstwhile deputy governor, H.E. Agboola Alfred Ajayi as a scapegoat.

The son of the governor of Ondo State, Mr Babajide Akeredolu is the defacto unofficial prime minister of Ondo state, he oversees a lucrative agency in his father’s cabinet. Arakunrin had earlier justified his appointment that he laboured for him during the campaigns but forgot thousand of people who worked more than his beloved son whose Aketi has neglected. Most of the board of parastatals are not constituted, the state workforce received January salary in the middle of the year 2022, and the few appointees in the state are also not paid. Generally, the untold hardship currently in Ondo state has never been experienced, even during Abacha’s government.

WHY ASIWAJU WILL WIN IN ONDO STATE MASSIVELY

Ondo state is a progressive state, from the history of Action Group, the first political party of Yoruba race which was formed at the house of former Olowo of Owo, late Sir. Olateru Olagbegi. The late famous king was an Awoist( a supporter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo) to the core before the Action Group’s crisis started and the duo parted ways. Also, they voted massively for Chief M.K.O Abiola of SDP against Alhaji Bashir Tofa of NRC in the popular ill-fated June 12, 1993 transition program. During the 1998/1999 general election, Ondo state supported Yoruba agenda of AD in which most of the candidates of the progressive party won in the state. In 2003, when Yoruba decided to support Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term bid, he defeated president Muhammed Buhari of ANPP in the sunshine state.

Ondo state people aligned with the rejuvenation of progressive party being championed by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, after a colossal loss of 2003 general elections which only Lagos State survived but other five states of Southwest Nigeria were consumed in a political tsunami of PDP. This was achieved via Dr Mimiko’s labour party which benefitted from Asiwaju’s support to displace the PDP of late Dr Olusegun Agagu by the Appeal court judgement. Although, the Iroko of Ondo state politics later betrayed his benefactor (Tinubu), that may explain why he has been finding it so hard politically since he left the Alagbaka government house in 2017, after his (Dr Mimiko’s) unprecedented record of two terms governor of the state.

In 2015, APC clinched two Senatorial districts of the state, Chief Tayo Alasoadura emerged in Ondo central while Professor Robert Boroffice won Ondo North as a ranking senator and many candidates of the House of Representatives defeated their opponents in PDP, represented their constituencies in the green chamber. Our people also voted for APC in governorship elections that produced Aketi twice, both in 2016 and 2020. We are not bastards, we have our roots with both Oduduwa as an ancestor and the progressive party of Action Group. Definitely, Mr Peter Obi of the Labour party and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP will be defeated by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu of APC come 2023.

Our Sunshine State has enjoyed a lot from Asiwaju’s benevolence, many of its indigenes served in Asiwaju’s cabinet when he was governor of Lagos state between 1999 to 2007. Some of them like Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, Hon. (Mrs) Wunmi Olatunji, Hon Ajata and many others served in elective capacities since the inception of this democratic dispensation in far away centre of excellence. This is a payback time for Jagaban of Borgu for promoting Ondo indigenes. We are not ingrates, we are going to vote massively for him (Tinubu). We won’t consider Aketi’s misrule in the state, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is different from Arakunrin Akeredolu and the upcoming presidential election will be treated as such by the good people of Ondo state.

IN CONCLUSION

If there is a free and fair election today, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN can’t deliver his local government, Owo LGA for APC because of his abysmal style of governance. It’s crystal clear that the current governor of Ondo State has failed woefully, both politicians and civil servants in terms of good governance but this will not affect the chance of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to win massively across the state as many of his (Asiwaju’s) groups are working tirelessly to ensure uncommon victory for him come 2023.

The presidential campaign should be run independently of Mr. governor because Aketi may serve as a Jonah in the boat of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s victory come 2023. It’s time for Emilokan of Ondo state, Emilokan of Yoruba, Emilokan of APC and Emilokan of Nigeria. With Asiwaju’s mandate, we stand in Ondo state.

Dr. Akeredolu O.N., leader, Aketi medical team, 2016 and vice chairman, Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020

Fellow Compatriots,

Here is one of the Heinous and Deadly Malady that is ready to kill our Beloved Democracy if the Appropriate Measure is not Taken.

Politics of the Belly
The Politics of the Belly, a translation of the French term politique du ventre, is a Cameroonian expression popularised by Jean-François Bayart in his 1989 book L’État en Afrique: La Politique du Ventre to describe African politics. It refers, in particular, to the relationship between patrimonialism, clientelism, corruption, and power.

According to Lynn M. Thomas of the University of Washington:

“The politics of the belly points to the propensity of politicians to hoard and greedily consume resources in things and people. In addition to highlighting the significance of idioms of eating and the belly to African conceptions of power, Bayart’s analysis insists on the importance of vertical relationships – those between social unequals such as…patrons or clients – to understand African political history.”

Introduction

Similar in concept to neopatrimonialism, in which private sector support is bought by the state, the Politics of the Belly is a metaphor for a form of governance that arose across Africa after decolonisation. Characterised by a controlling government and the interdependence of the elite in control of the private and public spheres, actors on both sides use their status to strengthen their economic and political power.

A number of spin-off ideas, such as the “politics of the womb”, have been proposed by academics on the back of the Bayart thesis.

Key points
Politics of the belly
Politics of the belly covers a range of political ‘sins’ which Bayart argues comprise the most effective and appropriate method of living in African likely to succeed. It refers to the merging of the legal and illegal markets, the proliferation of bribery, taking advantage of one’s position to enrich oneself, and the merging of private and public business. Bayart gives the example of the Zairean Air Force, whose members took advantage of their position to run a private airline for passengers and goods. Those with access to planes transported people while those with less access took advantage in more petty ways, such as by stealing and selling kerosene intended for the defence of the state.

Reciprocal elite assimilation

Bayart calls the modern African state an ‘incubator’ of a ruling elite. He argues that the elite ruling group of any African state works to exclude outsiders, enabling internal competition without threatening access to resources and enabling everyone in the group to thrive. The reciprocal elite assimilation also involves aspects of kinship and nepotism. Bayart argues that kin, ethnic and family connections have always been an aspect of African politics, and what a westerner might call nepotism or favouritism is merely part of the African political experience.

Gatekeeper roles

Bayart argues that historically African leaders have benefited by straddling the interface between external sources of revenues and their people, for example the kings of Dahomey trading with Portuguese and British merchants. Contemporarily, aid is the main source of external resource which can best be managed by leaders for their own enrichment as well as for converting into followers, which in turn allow access to more prestigious gatekeeper roles.

Use of resources for political control and vice versa

Following on from the gatekeeper role, Bayart argues that wealthy patrons use their resources to acquire patrons who can be used to achieve greater power and therefore access to wealth. Historically Africa has been underpopulated and control of people was considered a better mark of status than control of land. Bayart, in his effort to historicise African rule, argues that material resources are used to acquire politically loyal followers. For example, Bayart writes that to achieve a seat in the Ivorian legislature an aspiring MP would have to expend to equivalent value of 40,000 tonnes of cocoa in largesse to followers in exchange for their votes.

Examples

Nigeria

Nigeria’s postcolonial experience is perhaps the most apt example of the politics of the belly. Coup has followed coup and countless regimes have been in power. Ethnic tension is always present and periodically clashes of intensity ranging from localised rioting as witnessed recently in the central city of Jos between the countries Muslim and Christian populations, to violent clashes between government soldiers and the Ogoni in the state’s oil rich delta region, to the full scale civil war against the Biafran separatists. Throughout much of the strife there has been, behind the scenes, a cabal of high-ranking military personnel that demonstrate the networked nepotism characteristic of Bayart’s metaphor.

Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha in particular have gained notoriety. The latter in his four years managed to embezzle over $4 billion before suffering a heart attack during a session with four prostitutes, in what was dubbed by Nigerians at the time “a coup from heaven”. Babangida in his eight year rule institutionalised corruption and amassed a fortune sufficient to make him one of Nigeria’s richest men, creating a system in which many petrol stations in the World’s sixth greatest oil producing nation were dry and petrol had to be imported. Babangida reserved many government jobs for his ethnic kinsmen, the Hausa-Fulani.

Zaire

Mobutu Sese Seko pictured with US President Richard Nixon
Zaire under Mobutu Sese-Seko follows Bayart’s model closely. After a period of instability following the end of Belgian rule in the Congo, Mobutu, an army officer, took power. Thanks to his anti-Communist stance he was able to acquire large amounts of foreign aid which he used to enrich himself, friends, family and tribe. Kleptocracy, patrimonialism and corruption tore the state apart and reduced it to a level of state failure, in which Mobutu’s government lost its monopoly on violence and stopped providing any sort of basic state service. Zaire became a ‘hollow’ state. 17-22% of Zaire’s annual budget was spent on Mobutu personally.

Politics of the Belly was manifest throughout Zairean society. For example Mobutu ensured members of his ethnic group and family received prominent civilian and military positions. His “Praetorian guard”, the DSP, was the best equipped and trained unit in the Zairean armed forces (FAZ). Units perceived as disloyal were neglected. From Mobutu down, members of the armed forces would sell military equipment for private gain. Soldiers on the front line during the First Congo War would sell their weapons to their erstwhile enemies. Meanwhile a general took weapons destined for the front line and sold them to the UNITA rebel group, pocketing the money. This action contributed to the Angolan invasion of Zaire some months later.

Politics of the belly also ran through civil society. “Système D” was the blackly humorous name for the informal Zairean economy, as it came from the French for ‘help yourself’. The state did not control its borders, facilitating smuggling and preventing the collection of taxes. Bayart writes about the importance of gatekeepers, including border guards, who are in the position to extract wealth from a population, and there were many gatekeepers making a profit in Congo without any accountability to the people.

It is popularly believe that Democracy is the Government that is determined by the larger percent of the people, as we all know Democracy cannot be taken for granted because it’s contents,survival and growth depends on the collective and commitment of the society, despite the differences,Nevertheless, there are problems facing Democracy and Democratization.

Sardonically, the politics of poverty which was coined by J. F bayart as the politics of the belly has turn our Democracy to Plutocracy where only the rich and wealthy people can Contest and win Elections, a government that is determined by Money, with money and for money.

I have since been asking myself the cause of the Malady and After thorough investigation I get to understand that Mr Poverty is the cause of the Dilemma, Little wonder Mobutu Zeze -Zeze -Zeko said, If you want to rule your people long, Keep them poor. poverty, Ignorance, lack of political Education,Abridgment of political right and duties and lack of Appropriate political culture.
In our society, many people see themselves as distant from the government, making them to nurture the Notion that, whichever amount of money that is given to them during election period is the only thing they tend to gain from the government, this problem account for lack of patriotism amongst the citizens because of the disconnect between power and responsibilities. this menace has continue to undermine the effectiveness of those who we often elect to lead us.

Pa Awolowo 1966,described the form of corruption in the Nigeria society as include Bribery and manipulation of Electoral process in favour of unpopular candidate.
The Consequences of this politics of the belly (a. k. a dibo ko Segbe) is not only the absence of development and Ultimate failure of the elected Officers it Deepened the Economic Stagnation and Underdevelopment in the society,Arising from diverting money that is meant for developments to serve private interest.Odigbo local government constituency II a good Example.

The Most Appalling of all these is that few Intellect and Educated Elite who are supposed to serve as a watchdog are Either Inept or Compromise after Receiving a token of Meagre money they shut their mouth, they forget the harm it does to the societal developments and Allow the malady to eat deep into the fabric on the Society, it is on this note that I want to beseech the people of Odigbo constituency II not to be deceived by their Token amount, don’t be deceived by their Mendacious and deceitful Statement.

Don’t forget the statement of Aristotle that, Happiness is an Activity and he who does nothing cannot do well.

The Osinbajo Grassroots Organization, Ondo state coordinator, Comrade Olusola Johnbosco Omobuwa has said Prof. Yemi Osinbajo honest and practical approach sets him apart and above from the other candidates.

He added, we have also sampled every opportunity in the past few months to analyze the aims and objectives of the various competitors in the upcoming presidential elections.

According to the comrade, ” it’s vital that we must respect our values, so we will be canvassing for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo endorsement as APC presidential candidate. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is an effective advocate for social justice, voting rights, acceptance, economic opportunity and gender and racial equity. “

“We are confident that Osinbajo will succeed. We will also spread the word about Osinbajo abilities and competence. ” He added.

Also speaking with some of OGO members, from Ondo South Senatorial district, ” Osinbajo have shown great concern for the Nigerians and his willingness to listen to people’s problems is commendable.

“He devotes a significant amount of time and effort working for the country through his office as Vice president of Federal Republic of Nigeria and his experience as Vice president means he understands how presidency and government works.” He said.

The group specially appreciates Osinbajo’s thoughtful leadership, his experience to set out new ideas and different perspectives weighs the alternatives, considers possible outcomes and develops reasonable positions.

The group also opined that Osinbajo is approachable, engaging, and genuinely committed to governing well, implored the public to join in canvassing for Osinbajo endorsement as APC presidential candidate.

The Ondo state chapter of Osinbajo Grassroots Organization have shown allegiance and support for the Osinbajo campaign and aims to plead for his endorsement, campaign for him and vote for him come 2023 Presidential general election.