As promised last week, I narrate today how Professor Kolapo Olubunmi Olusola Eleka became deputy governor to former Gov. Peter Ayodele Fayose during Fayose’s second coming as the governor of Ekiti State (2014 – 2018). What you are about to read is taken verbatim from Fayose’s unpublished memoirs, titled “Peter The Rock: Autobiography of Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose.” Read on:
“After the primaries, we (governorship aspirants) were invited to the Presidential Villa, Abuja to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan. He spoke on the need for all to accept the result and work together as a team and we left the villa. Naturally, some of those who lost were not happy and as the winner of the primaries as well as an astute politician, I knew the importance of the need to massage the ego of some of those who lost out and those I hoped to get support from. So, we went out to meet and appreciate them.
“I got to my hotel room at about 3.00 am and was only able to sleep till 7.00 am. When I woke up, behold, three or four of my fellow aspirants had come to see me! Each of them did not want the others to know he was there! The room where I stayed had no waiting room; so I got an extra room. I can recall that Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Bisi Omoyeni, and Ambassador Dare Bejide came.
“What they were all angling for was the post of deputy governor. Though each person did not want the others to know his mission, the bottom line was, as a politician, you would think of how to benefit from what is left after the plum position of governorship candidate had been taken by someone else.
“Given my experience in the past and the need to be careful, I told each of them I would pray about their request. I could not promise anyone. The build-up to the primaries suggested there would be danger if I chose any of them – and also going by my experience during my first tenure.
“Sincerely, my mind was made up on choosing a deputy from Ikere-Ekiti. Added to that, Femi Bamisile was also eyeing the position of deputy governor. He was lobbying around. He went to the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, and the Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and told them he was the only person that could make me win.
“The pressure was on and I waited for two days to the close of the nomination of a deputy before I made my choice. I was careful because I did not want a repeat of what happened during my first term when I had three deputy governors.
“At the end of the day, I went for a retired school teacher who was 82 years old. I invited him over to Abuja; we called him in the night because time was running out on the deadline for the submission of the name of a deputy. He was a bit worried (about) why I called him in the night and I explained to him and he was elated. Later, he asked, ‘Am I not too old for this job?’ I said he should not worry; that the bulk of the job of governance would be performed by the governor.
“We collected his curriculum vitae and went to meet Adamu Muazu in his house in Asokoro, Abuja. I asked him to wait in the car. We did all the documentation and when we were about to submit, we met Femi Bamisile there. Bamisile was saying that if he was not chosen, he would bring down the roof and I told Muazu and others that Bamisile had no clout.
“At last, Bamisile showed his true colours by insulting these people despite their pleas that he calmed down. He flared up and left. I brought out the CV of my 82-year-old nominee for Muazu to sign; for he was to travel out of the country that night.
“We left the place and drove back to our hotel but as soon as we got there, I got a call from Muazu saying the party would not accept an 82-year-old man as my deputy. He said the party did not want to experience any burial or death (of anyone) in office. Muazu instructed me to get another name.
“When we got (back) to Ekiti, I told the man what (had) happened. I think we got to Ekiti on a Wednesday. I was in my hometown, Afao-Ekiti, still ruminating on how to go about the choice of a deputy when the man came to see me with one of his sons the following day that we arrived in Ekiti, which was a Thursday. He said he had come to thank me for at least considering him for such a position and prayed that God would honour me as well.
“As we talked, his phone rang and his son who was holding the phone said, ‘Baba, Doctor is calling you.’ I had to leave the room to give him the privacy to answer the call. While I stayed away, I thought within myself that he probably had some health issues that warranted his doctor to be monitoring his health.
“After about five minutes, I came back to the room and asked what health issues he had that made doctors monitor his situation. He said he had no health issues and that the person who called him was his son. I asked if the son was a medical doctor or a doctorate degree holder and he said a Ph. D. holder and lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I asked if I could see the son that day and he replied that he would call him. He called his son and the son said it was not possible for him to see me that day but that he would come the following day, which happened to be a Friday.
“When the young man came, I was with Chief Clement Awoyelu and John Akintoye Olofintuyi. As I saw him coming, I had the conviction in my mind that, ‘This is my deputy!’ That was how he, Kolapo Olusola, became my deputy. In fact, he had to return home to get his documents as the submission of (the) names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission would lapse the following Tuesday. We did the necessary documentation the following Monday. I am sure he was in dreamland as far as the event was concerned.
“His choice angered so many people. I had said something then that ‘whoever is my deputy will leave with me at the end of my tenure.’ I said so because the war of succession always causes serious trouble for administrations.”
So, that was where the “imposition” of Eleka came in; first as deputy governor, which was seriously contested by many stakeholders as a one-man show done without due consultation; and, secondly, but more importantly, Eleka’s emergence as successor-designate. Fayose ate his word, and this attracted a lot of bad blood to the godfather and godson. Eventually, the election was lost to APC’s Dr. John (Olu)Kayode Fayemi.
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Dele Alake: The dilemma of a Minister
I used to think that it happens (only) in Igbo land where those holding federal ministerial appointments forget the homes they came from! I didn’t know it also happens in Yoruba land!
Awolowo is quoted as saying that, “Before I became a Yoruba (man), I was Ikenne and before I became Nigerian, I was Yoruba.” He went on to say that if he wanted to be a good leader, he would first show it in Ikenne where he was born, so that if he wanted to lead the Yoruba, he would have the support of Ikenne people, etc. Why has Dele Alake forgotten this fundamental principle enunciated by the modern-day father of the Yoruba? – Mazi Coleman Obazi.
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has been compromised in the service of illegal miners, at least as far as my community is concerned. The last time we took hard copies of a petition to (the Ministry), the petition was rejected on the ground that the ministry no longer accepts hard copy communication, but soft copies, i.e. emails. In many communities, the land owners may be illiterate in English language. A pro-public interest Ministry ought to design ways of gathering information about illegal mining, not turning people away. But the lesson is clear: Compromise. Google Edmund Obilo on illegal mining in Itasa. The Ministry has remained deaf and dumb to the outcries of illegal mining. The message is clear: A compromised Ministry! – Femi Aborisade Esq.
Alake has done well! The second term of his boss might favour him to make amendments. At any rate, if someone’s child did well elsewhere (foreign land) and goes back home, I believe the child should be received with all enthusiasm. He has represented them well. – Pa Kola Oloye.
There is a sort of genuflecting in your commentary, like walking a tightrope, not wanting to offend ‘Delistic’! But the summation of Dele’s father being buried in Ikoro-Ekiti, after being here and there , seems to imply what you did not say specifically. Well, Dele has been largely a Lagos boy, and the failure of his foray into Ekiti politics years back must have lingered and alienated him. When people spend virtually all their adult life in internal Diaspora, this is what happens – detachment from their roots. I have many of my students who have never been to their hometowns! It is that bad. I call them the ‘Rootless Generation’! Sometimes, I call their parents and they feel embarrassed but are apologetic. A few took action and called back that they took their kids home during the next major festival celebration! It made me feel good. So, I am inclined to think that Dele belongs to the group (that is) detached from their roots and cannot, therefore, be reasonably expected to root for the village and state of which he has no nostalgic memories. – Dr. Bisi Olawunmi, Mass Comm. Dept.
Adeleke University, Ede.
I have just read your piece on Dele Alake. It is not easy. Egbon is not a politician in the Nigerian sense of the word; not to talk about the Yoruba side of it. But as the (Editorial) pointed out, Alake still has to do what needs to be done for his ‘constituents’ in Ekiti, at least to show that he ‘represents’ them without being elected. Ko easy rara! – Wale Adedayo.
This treatise on my friend and secondary school classmate and housemate is of muscular weight. It cannot be less considered, as your closing comments concerning where the mortal remains of Dele’s father were laid to rest were quite instructive. But, again, it could be a personal choice. Afterall, at death, nobody’s corpse can be denied by the soil of any town! However, it is quite honorable if the people who take you as one of their own appreciate you as such, and you, too, acknowledge them as your people without being beholden to their enforced requests. The argument for him to include the development of Ekiti in his busy schedule cannot be faulted. He can surely do that under his portfolio without diluting his efficiency and effectiveness. – Anonymous.
Ekiti has benefitted enough from Minister Dele Alake! Yes, we have benefitted 1200 bags of rice – and that is enough for 32 months! We are only (being) too ambitious and an Oliver Twist asking with long throats for more! – Idowu Faleye.
Former editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, BOLAWOLE was also the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of The Westerner news magazine. He writes the ON THE LORD’S DAY column in the Sunday Tribune and TREASURES column in New Telegraph newspaper on Wednesdays. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.
