Opinion: Opeyemi Bamidele suffers from grandiose delusions

by Femi Macaulay

Although, logically, it is possible that Bamidele could do even better, it is equally conceivable that he could do much worse. It would appear that Bamidele’s ambition belongs to his head rather than his heart.

Why is Opeyemi Bamidele in such a desperate and unconscionable hurry to be Ekiti State governor in 2014? Evidently, the answer to this penetrating poser does not lie on the surface. For clarification, it would perhaps be necessary to explore the depths of his psyche, an exercise likely to yield insights that are, paradoxically, baffling as well as enlightening.

Only the Pollyannaish would have been taken aback by his publicised resignation as Ekiti Caucus Leader in the House of Representatives where he speaks for Ado-Ekiti/Irepodun-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, a position he attained on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which has morphed into All Progressives Congress (APC), courtesy of a merger. Evidences of disgruntlement were unmistakable not only in his utterances, but also in his body language, in the build-up to the formal declaration of his ambition.

In words that were dramatically impressionistic, he sounded like a politician on a soapbox. He said in an ironic letter to Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, the very target and hurdle in his path, “I can no longer tarry in responding to the yearnings and aspirations of the violated children, the deserted youth, the disillusioned women, the unfulfilled civil and public servants, the neglected artisans, the jobless and unemployed men as well as the heart-broken elder statesmen and frustrated founding fathers.” Besides the demands of official courtesy necessitating the notification of the APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, and Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, it was symbolically also to stress the avoidance of doubt, particularly for Tinubu, former Lagos State governor who was regarded as his political mentor.

Interestingly, in July it took Tinubu’s calming intervention to reverse Bamidele’s suspension by the Ekiti Caucus over his then alleged eyeing of the governorship of Ekiti in 2014, despite his party’s apparent backing of the sitting governor for a second four-year term. At the time, Tinubu said, “I do not believe he should be sanctioned at this point where the most he has done is to make unofficial statements about contesting. While we have no problem in him pursuing his democratic ambition without intimidation and persecution, we will continue our efforts at persuading him not to rock the boat and play into the hands of our opponents, particularly the PDP.” Three months later, Bamidele not only remarkably vindicated his colleagues; he also disappointingly betrayed Tinubu’s confidence. It would be interesting to know what the champion of progressivism thinks now, and how he feels.

Indeed, while Bamidele’s decision to swim against the tide suggests conviction, which would be puzzling in the circumstances, it seems more like reckless hardihood. In hyperbolic language, he described his move as “cogent and compelling”, arguing that the choice was “in response to the call by well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora, who believe that our dear state needs a critical intervention at this time, so as not to become a failed state.” However, the creative embellishment employed to convey a sorry picture of Ekiti is itself a failed technique, for it relies on emotive words lacking in substance. This approach is especially suspicious because of its extreme erroneousness. From all indications, it certainly cannot be the truth that Ekiti is on a downward trajectory.

Such skewed presentation could only be a consequence of psychotic belief, which makes it even more worrying. If there was any doubt about the state of mind that invented the fable of failure, the uncertainty was resolved by Bamidele’s elaboration of his mission. In long-winded words, his dream is: “to herald in a new and united Ekiti State, where our past glory will be brought back from sabbatical; where integrity and strength of character, which are the hallmarks of Ekiti personality, will be celebrated again; and where job creation, food security, law and order, as well as infrastructure and human capital development with high premium on health and education will be the utmost priority as the minimum agenda for good governance in compliance with global best practices.” Phew! Wasn’t that a bit overloaded? Bamidele is entitled to his grandstanding. But who is impressed?

It is important to highlight the reality of the inadequacy of words, particularly when the issue is good governance. Indeed, what counts in that realm is action. In this regard, Governor Fayemi’s track record in office speaks for itself as an eloquent testimony to “integrity, hard work and performance,” to quote Chief Joel Babatola, a First Republic minister, who led members of the non-partisan Ekiti Council of Elders on a visit to the governor’s office at the mid-term of his first four-year mandate. It is noteworthy that, at the time, Fayemi also got the endorsement of leaders of the then ACN for re-election; the state chairman, Chief Jide Awe, declared that “the Fayemi administration has made a difference in the state.”

Of course, Bamidele is not bound to respect these specific instances of praise for Fayemi’s 8-Point Agenda, but he is expected to be sufficiently modest in order to rise above denial. However, such elevation can only be achieved in the absence of optical illusion, which unfortunately is a possibility in this case. For Fayemi undeniably continues to grab the headlines with his “Legacy Projects”, touching an impressive range of people-oriented issues. Although, logically, it is possible that Bamidele could do even better, it is equally conceivable that he could do much worse. It would appear that Bamidele’s ambition belongs to his head rather than his heart. One central credit of democracy, likely to work against him, is that the people can distinguish between sugar-coated sentiments and measurable performance.

Having crossed the red line by his demonstration of flagrant faithlessness in the party concerning his aspiration, it is fascinating to contemplate his next move, and the party’s official response. It is unimaginable that he would subsequently feel at home in the party, just as it is unthinkable that the party would pursue an accommodation with him. Furthermore, should he carry his imagination to a rival party, which is probable, would that minimise his grandiose delusions?

 

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Read this article in The Nation Newspapers

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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