Chief John Oyegun is a familiar name in Nigerian politics but is he a household name or popular? That may be a subject of debate. If I am asked, I will answer in the negative.
A man with Chief Oyegun’s style of politics can hardly be a household name in Nigeria no matter his status. He is too principled to dance to any gallery or beg for recognition. He does his work and minds his business.
Does he require introduction? Definitely! He is not making the kind of noise the average Nigerian Politician in his position will make; neither is he causing confusion that will gain him cheap publicity even if it is negative. It is no wonder his name is not a lasting one on our lips.
Chief Odigie Oyegun is the National Chairman of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress(APC), the party in power right now in Nigeria. By virtue of that Position, he wields a lot of power and influence but the Man that I see, though aware of the magnitude of power he wields, will rather exercise such Power cautiously to avoid bringing harm to anyone.
This brings me to the Caption of this short write up- CHIEF JOHN OYEGUN AND HIS STYLE OF POLITICS.
The kind of politics he has showcased since he assumed office at the helm of affairs of the ruling party is one that shuns violence, eschews bitterness and derides selfishness. I was at an event where the MC shared a joke about a child who was always fighting with other Pupils; upon complaint to his mother, she explained that she was training her son to be a politician and to make it to the National Assembly. That is the kind of embarrassing description ascribed to our politicians and the kind of behaviour they are associated with.
When we see Politicians of the likes of Chief Oyegun with calm, decent, peaceful and humble disposition, yet successful, we are bound to appreciate them and appreciate God for their gifts to humanity. Talking about successful politicking devoid of deceit, mind-shingling, viciousness, thuggery, hooliganism, violence and often destruction of perceived obstacles, Chief Oyegun has proven by his conduct, that such is indeed possible in Nigeria.
How else can one define Success? He was a Federal Permanent Secretary, held other high ranking Positions: Executive Governor of Edo state. He piloted the affairs of his party to successfully unseat an incumbent President. If APC was led by an arrogant, boisterous and god-playing Chairman, with the type of merger that gave birth to the Party, it would have crumbled before it took off. His nature was and still is no doubt a stabilizing force in the Party.
He goes about his job with the freest of mind. Most importantly, he never seemed to harbour any Political ambition and thus is no threat to anyone’s ambition; the type of distrust that breeds Ansis among politicians has no place in his style of politics.
Chief Odigie Oyegun, by his actions and nature has proven that in Nigeria, it is possible to be decent and be a successful Politician. This is why I feel that right thinking Nigerians should appreciate Politicians like him and encourage young upcoming politicians to emulate them.
In so doing, we will experience less friction in our political system and will all enjoy the kind of peace that we all wish for in our environment; AK47 and other ammunitions will cease to be a regular feature in our political life as a Nation.
It is only in doing this that credible and well meaning Nigerians with a conscience will begin to participate in elections and eventually give us the Nigeria of our dreams. History will surely judge Chief John Odigie Oyegun kindly and Nigerians will continue to remember him as one man that kept his cool even at the height of provocations. We Nigerians will always appreciate him for his positive contribution to our democratic growth.
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Article written by Osaru Aigbe
