My Preferred Gubernatorial Candidate for Ekiti State

Anthony Ayodele

At seclude of the night, I have reviewed and assessed the state of affair of my dear state of Ekiti. And I have come to the conclusion of who I'm going to vote for in the up-coming election re-run between Engr. Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi. I have not support any party nor publicly endorse any candidate, but as a citizen I am reminded of my responsibility and inalienable right “to vote and be voted for”.  Just before I reveal the identity of my preferred candidate, the one that will deserve my vote (I mean your vote too) on April 25^th, 2009; please endeavor to read below in its entirety and in context. 

I am always appall at the thinking process of the people saddle with the responsibility of conducting election in Nigeria, their laziness in putting together a framework that can lead to the credibility of the process. Poverty had done so much damage to the psyche of our people and affected the way they think due to impoverish state of our economy. Our politicians, because of their greediness and selfish interest had capitalized on the vulnerability of the people and continue to hoodwink them with petty promises on what they will do to better the lives of the people once they assume position of authority. 

. The system we have today made it relatively easy for anyone to commit electoral fraud and go undetected, since our electoral process did not have any inbuilt verification firewall that can help screen authentic voters. Election anywhere in the world did not begin nor end on the Election Day; it is a process that requires thorough planning and evolves throughout the life span of the officeholder. As a nation we are blessed with many hypocrite and traditionalist that continue to benefit from the dysfunctional state of Nigeria (lack of security, unemployment, political instability and corruption). This cabal will forever resist any effort by anyone to change the status quo in any form or shape that can undermine their grip on the entity called Nigeria. Until we have a total reform of the entire electoral process that can detect and prevent electoral fraud, and total reorientation of the people involved in the process, it will take more years for us to really enjoy the dividend of democracy. Having said all these, we still have to meander our way through this not too perfect system to elect our leaders.  

Events of recent weeks in my dear state of ekiti, remains a major source of concern to many of us in the Diaspora that believed enough is enough. I have read about some politicians cross-carpeting to either PDP or AC, barely two weeks to the upcoming election re-run with much funfair from the receiving party. It shows that our politicians are like wind with no predetermined destination; they go with the flow as they are only interested in what they can grab from the party in power or presume party in power either in cash or in kind. They don't have any shame. This singular act buttress the assertion from many quarters that there is no clear cut difference between AC and PDP as a party. Also, I have seeing pictures of the dead, the wounded and the traumatized as a result of brutal conflict between overzealous AC and PDP supporters because of governorship election. Pre or post campaign rally continues to leave behind trail of innocent Ekiti citizen’s blood. As the security situation deteriorates daily, there have been numerous calls by concerned citizens for the militarization of Ekiti state on the Election Day to protect lives and property. This is a reminder to ALL that, all is not well at home. I remembered the gory pictures of the dead during the Local Government Election in Jos, Plateau state, innocent citizens sent to their grave in an undignified manner, no thanks to the barbarian in our midst. LIFE is sacred and must be protected by all means possible, If our politicians refused to put their acts together and our already compromised police force is ill equipped to protect live of my fellow brother and sister at home, what other choice do we have to prevent the killing of any innocent Ekiti citizen or unwarranted destruction of properties alike just because Fayemi or Oni want to become the governor of Ekiti State. 

In my present place of abode, citizens vote for various reasons such as;

1. revolt against the incumbent (whenever they are tired of the old order),
2. the policies of the party or the officeholder (when they can't see any significant positive impact in their daily lives) and 
3. Character of the flag-bearer (when they hinged their trust on the individual at the echelon of power).

 As I make my final decision on who will earn my vote on April 25th, 2009 and to manage my expectation on the personality that will eventually become the governor of my dear state. I have put together the following non negotiable requirements that requires IMMEDIATE response before Oni or Fayemi can earn my vote (I mean your vote)

1. Does Oni or Fayemi have standing blueprint policy on (healthcare, education, unemployment, security, and energy)? Where is the evidence?
2. Is Fayemi or Oni a team player? Can he work with others that don’t always agree with him or belong to his party?  Where is the evidence?
3. Is Fayemi or Oni a totalitarian, arrogant and unapproachable in your past dealing with him? Any evidence at your disposal?
4. Have you met, spoken to Fayemi or Oni in person or on the phone before? And how do they react and relate to you as ordinary citizen? Any evidence at your disposal?
5. Will Fayemi or Oni show more loyalty to his party or to Ekiti people? Any evidence at your disposal?
6. Has Fayemi or Oni exhibited the trait and capacity to make sound judgment in difficult situation in the past? Can I have an instance?
7. Who will Oni or Fayemi contact in case of uncertainty? Do you know who he will ask the first important question of the moment? Can you trust those contact(s) if you know them? Get their names now?
8. Do you know Fayemi or Oni’s aide? Remember must campaign foot soldier will end up as part of the cabinet. Can you trust those people? You need to know them now?
9. Has Oni or Fayemi managed large sum of money in the past and in what capacity? Ask for verifiable evidence of proper accountability?
10. Can you identify the source of Oni and Fayemi’s campaign fund? Who are the big donors? Ask for the list now?
11. Do you have Oni or Fayemi’s publicly declared assets list, how and when acquired? Ask for this important information?
12. Can Oni or Fayemi publicly show you how much debt they owe? Who is their creditor? You must request this important information?
13. Do you have any personal or professional reference letter from Oni or Fayemi’s past employer? This is the kind of endorsement you must request now?
14. Do you know if Oni or Fayemi has ever been arrested, charge to court and found guilty of felony offence? Where and When? Let dig deep on this and get the fact OUT now
15. Do you know if Oni or Fayemi will or has provided a shield for people of questionable character to subvert the rule of law? Remember, if he has done it once, he will do it again. Get the fact now

Do you have enough information to help you with the questions above? IF not, it is imperative you get DEMAND answers before you cast your vote! It is your RIGHT. Until you have answers to ALL these questions and others that did not appear on this list, REFUSE to sell your birthright for a pot of pottage. And on April 25th, 2009 make your choice based on the aforementioned and protect your vote to secure the future of the unborn generation. 

I hope I have provided you (the voter) the yardstick, well enough for you to choose who should earn your vote and why you should vote your conscience. Remember it is your RIGHT and you must protect it  

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

Long live Ekiti state of ALL parties.  

Anthony Ayodele lives in Denver, Colorado, USA and he is an executive member of Ekiti in Diaspora for Economic and Social Development (EDESC) www.edesc.org 

Robot  # 1 | 18.04.2009 23:06

My Preferred Gubernatorial Candidate for Ekiti State Anthony Ayodele At seclude ofthe night,I have reviewed and assessed the state ofaffair ofmy dear state of Ekiti.And I have come to the conclusion of who I'm going to vote for in the up-coming election re-run between Engr. Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi.I have not support any party norpublicly endorse any candidate, but as a citizen I am reminded of my responsibility and inalienableright“to vote and be voted for”. Just before I reveal the identity of my preferred candidate, the one that will deserve my vote (I mean your vote too) on April 25th, 2009; please endeavor to read below in its entirety and in context. I am always appall atthe thinking process ofthe people saddle with the responsibility of conducting election in Nigeria, their laziness in putting together a framework thatcan lead to the credibility ...Read the full article.