WHAT MANNER OF ELDERS

In the words of Leon Trotsky, “Nothing is more dangerous in politics, especially in a critical period, than to repeat general formulas without examining their social content.”
I find this quotation most suitable for this write-up though, I must confess, I don’t know exactly what informed Trotsky’s statement and sadly, I am also not a socialist; yet, for me, it is just perfect.
Perfect because it simplifies the task of telling our elders that in a bid to seem to be simplifying a process, they have only succeeded in creating confusion and problem.
I am familiar with the African application of respect for elders and this would guide my submission is examining the roles being played by Ogun west elders in the 2011 gubernatorial aspiration of Ogun West. The boundaries are clear in terms of age and control over history especially in those days when the most reliable archives were the brains of the old folks; it is lot more different today, as the historical archive is generally assessable, leaving the old folks with an advantage of age and maybe, good deeds.
My submission here is that respect may not necessarily come with old age but with comportment and demeanor. If Lawrence Anini were alive today, a notorious armed robber that he was, I wouldn’t have had an iota of respect for him, period! So, it is not automatic for people to have through whatever means ganged up and label their association “Elders” to expect respect from the community to such a level that whatever they say not minding how irritating it is to human hear, should be taken hook, line and sinker without questioning.
My first question is therefore, with what criteria are community leaders chosen/ and by extension, these Ogun West PDP Leaders, how exactly did they come to be?
The idea of screening aspirants; is it the duty of the leaders or the party and then the electorates?
My answers are clear; all I beg for is your own understanding of these scenarios.
I have always before now questioned how certain individuals without paying close attention to their principles and what they really stand for; hastily gather to answer Elders’ council. Dr. Tai Solarin, of blessed memory, despite having maintained high moral standard at no time while he was alive claimed to be anybody’s elder. I am always marveled at how people just assume such positions because events have proved for the umpteen times that age does not necessarily substitute for wisdom or pedigree. All of these are based on individuals’ history of public service.
Funny enough, Trotsky, had this to say again “Old age is the most unexpected of things that can happen to a man.” It may as well mean that once a man manages to get old, he suddenly assumes the role of a deity and arrogates so much power to himself.
When people have taken their turn in public services without particularly imparted on this new bride, Ogun West, they seek for other places to remain relevant and such avenue is the Elders’ council.
The group of leaders that have prompted this write up comprises of the following “Elders”:

Ayo Otegbola, Iyabode Apampa, Alani Akinde, I.A Akinleye, Bolaji Aretola, Boye Adesina, The Traditional ruler of Ipokia, Oba Raufu Adeole.
Ogun West Project 2011 Apex Committee of the PDP, also known as Ogun West PDP elders, has decided to take us by some crazy surprise. They have gone ahead to declare Gboyega Isiaka as Ogun West PDP consensus candidate.
“Otegbola, whose address at the ceremony was read by his vice, Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, enjoined other governorship aspirants who lost at the screening to work with Isiaka to win the primary election and the governorship election.
He explained that though the decision was not easy, it was taken “fearlessly to correct the mistake of the past,” adding that traditional rulers, clergymen, pressure groups, youth groups, market men and women and other stakeholders had been mobilized for the task ahead.
His words: “You, our people, as well as the 12 aspirants encouraged us that we members of the Apex Committee should prune the numbers down fearlessly to correct the mistake of the past. And so we first brought the number down from 12 to six, six to three and finally working on three to produce one that can beat other contestants from other political parties”.”(- http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68155:2011-ogun-west-pdp-picks-gboyega-isiaka-as-consensus-candidate-&catid=672:top-stories&Itemid=794, emphasis mine!)
Without intentions to sound rude, it doesn’t matter now anyway, I am concerned with the choice of words which seem to be very carefully chosen that convey the message of the “elders”.
Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, as directed by her boss, without even considering the opinion of people of the Ogun west divide as it were, hastily jumped into admonishing other contestants to support Gboyega isiaka. That quickly invalidates the principle behind the petty decision of these elders.
She went to claim that they arrived at their decisions to “fearlessly correct the mistake of the past”. Which past? Does that presuppose that there had been a kind of mistake made in the 34years of Ogun state that explains why an Ogun West person had never been governor? A mistake like not having any of our kinsmen enrolled in NDA or being a top officer to be a Military Governor? A mistake that elders before them did exactly what they are doing now, mortgaging our own future? What mistake of the past, if I may ask?
Now that our elders have taken a position, a position that is meant to address a future they may not necessarily be part of, like the proverbial heaven-seeker who doesn’t want to die, a position that ushers in an administration that is expected to represent a take-over by fresh bloods; I hope youths and other concerned and respectable elders can voice out their dissatisfaction with this arm-twisting standpoint. I have come to understand that once in a while we will stumble upon the truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up and hurry along as if nothing had happened. Now is another opportunity to stand for what is right.
Let records be set straight, we are not supposed beg to have Ogun West present the next governor without following due process. Let the orders of democratic selection be made supreme. We should not be seen forcing our belief and/or agitation on people of the other divides. Whoever feels he/she is capable should be allowed to declare and go in for the primaries. Let the people decide.
If this holds for people of the other senatorial divide, it is more than criminal to declare for a particular aspirant as the consensus candidate. On what scale was this decision placed?
Without doubt in my mind, this would only get the process dirtier than we have and also create more hurdles for Gboyega Isiaka.
So many things are at stake beyond the monetary gifts these elders stand to gain. How does Gboyega Isiaka stand out amongst other aspirants? What is history of participation? When did he become a name we mention within the political class? What is he known for? The list is endless. When exactly did the trimming begin? The array of questions left unanswered can only but put us in a messier situation of outright betrayal and disappointment.
This is not about Gboyega Isiaka, neither is it about any other aspirant. The press has done a bit about these individuals and so the public should be left to form its own opinion. This is about the so-called elders and their abracadabra arrangement.
Just like Dr. Titus Eweje rightly put it, this decision would create more enemies for the Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings.
I would advice this group of elders retract their comments and allow for a level playing field and to understand that the rules of democracy apply to all.
Muhammed Alli said, “If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize.” To the elders, I’d say, if you had dreamed you’ll get away with your infamous utterances, you’d better wake up and apologize.
The stage is set, let the race for true representation begin. We have had enough of undue meddling from the old folks; they can have some well deserving rest before finally resting in PEACE.