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The media space has recently been agog with the frenzied report of political carpet crossing, rug tossing and mat turning.
In a clime as ours where political leanings are devoid of ideology, the bottom line is interests and nothing else. I will not begrudge or condemn anyone for deciding and taking steps to switch allegiance and redirect loyalty but will take exception to the lame reasons they put forward to justify what they have done. It is only in the warped political system we operate you hear someone proclaim there are no permanent friends or foes but permanent interests in politics and people will applaud while nodding in agreement. The question is whose interest?
I will take just two individuals out of the lot that switched allegiance to buttress my argument.
Engr. Kayode Olomo was until recently a close ally of Sen. Dino Melaye and was said to have been shortlisted for the post of Deputy-Governor after Hon. James Faleke declined to be part of the New Direction government. When that didn’t work, the Secretary to the State Government slot eluded him only because the Governor insisted on a female technocrat preferably with a PhD. These opportunities were courtesy Sen. Dino Melaye.
Whatever transpired afterwards can only be mere conjectures when related by a third party. It would have been honourable for Engr. Olomo to ascribe his mat hopping to the desire to enhance a political status that is moribund but grossly overrated. If a man that cannot win a primary election in his hometown in several attempts ports to another political party and starts bragging about a deluded political sagacity, only the politically naive will roll out the drums in celebration as if his/her victory in the general election has been announced.
The case of Segun Abereoran is different and unique because I have met him a few times and can attest to his talent and brilliance. What transpired for the period he worked as the Personal Assistant that culminated in his decision to jump ship from his speech is clear. He felt he was not appreciated enough with the Prado Jeep narrative. Can any fault his desire for a better life? Of course not. Only the callous will do that. Bottom line self interest. Thank God he got an appointment and a Ford Ranger truck.
My concern for Mr. Segun Abereoran is that, was he received and compensated for his abilities or he was rewarded for leaving the stable of Sen. Dino Melaye?
When the honeymoon and the euphoria of the presumed victory over an avowed adversary is over, what will the future hold?
We have others who claim to have been misled and have just purged themselves of their ignorance. Hopefully, their claim though lame and shallow will stand the test of time.
For Kogi State government, I pray that the investment on the new entrants to the New Direction train will be worth the while in terms of the value they bring and its benefits as it concerns votes.
Coincidentally, Kogi State Government officials should retrospect and check the plethora of Segun Abereorans among its staunch and ferocious loyalists who feels their efforts are not appropriately appreciated and rewarded.
For the disillusioned among the hailers of the New Direction administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello, murmur not as your day will soon come. Just pray that even if it takes switching allegiance or porting for your fortunes to get a positive turnaround, may the opportunity come soon.
– Posi Botun
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