Igbalajobi Seun reacts to Senator Babafemi Ojudu’s comment
The recent tirade by Senator Babafemi Ojudu against Pa. John Oyegun reveals more about the desperation of a politician desperately clinging to relevance than about any genuine political integrity. Ojudu’s vituperation, particularly in the context of the 2018 Ekiti APC gubernatorial primary, exposes a pattern of failure, treachery, and disconnection from the grassroots that has come to define his political journey.
Let us revisit the 2018 APC primary in Ekiti State, a contest Ojudu entered with high hopes but exited with a humiliating 15 votes out of over three thousand delegates.
His woeful performance was a stark testament to his deep disconnection from the grassroots, his inability to rally genuine support, and his reliance on political gimmicks that have long marked his career. Instead of accepting responsibility for this electoral failure, Ojudu chose to shift blame, alleging that then-National Chairman, Pa John Oyegun, orchestrated or manipulated his poor showing.
This narrative is not only false but also revealing. Ojudu’s defeat stemmed from his own treachery, his betrayal of authentic grassroots politics, his lack of genuine connections, and his penchant for superficial politicking. His failure to garner support even within his own constituency of Ado-Ekiti, let alone across Ekiti State, underscores a fundamental flaw: he is a politician who manipulates processes to serve personal ambitions rather than the public good.
As Chinua Achebe famously observed, “The damage inflicted by the failure of leadership is a tragedy, but the failure to accept responsibility is the greatest tragedy of all.” Senator Ojudu’s career exemplifies this tragedy. His inability to connect with ordinary Nigerians, reliance on manipulative tactics, and habit of blame-shifting reveal a man unworthy of moral or political leadership.
Turning to the 2018 APC primaries, it is crucial to set the record straight. The Primary Committee, led by Governor Tanko Al-Makura, upheld its integrity despite relentless efforts by Ojudu and his allies to manipulate the process.
They attempted to change the rules midstream, but Al-Makura stood firm. Ojudu’s pitiful tally of 15 votes out of over three thousand delegates speaks volumes about his lack of support. Chief John Oyegun’s “offense,” if it can be called that, was his refusal to capitulate to pressure and his unwavering commitment to fairness an act that earned him the wrath of those seeking to undermine the process.
It is also noteworthy that, unlike during other APC chairmen’s tenures, Oyegun was never accused of demanding bribes or manipulating primaries for personal gain. His era, along with that of interim chairman Chief Bisi Akande, was marked by transparency, discipline, and internal integrity. Sadly, since Oyegun’s departure, the party’s internal management has descended into chaos, manipulation, and dishonesty.
Ojudu is entitled to choose his political alliances. However, he should not delude himself into thinking he can regain relevance by attacking others. The Yoruba proverb, “Ko se eku, ko s’eiye” meaning “neither a rodent nor a bird” aptly describes his current strategy. His reckless attacks and desperation to re-enter the political limelight only reveal his true nature: a politician who has long lost touch with grassroots support and moral integrity.
Furthermore, Ojudu’s recent outbursts and his claims regarding the 2023 elections expose a troubling obsession with recycled narratives, denial, and an inability to accept personal responsibility. His history of opportunism evident in how he became a senator in 2011 through questionable means demonstrates a pattern of political convenience rather than conviction. His current diatribes are nothing more than desperate attempts to cling to relevance, exposing a man disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
If he possesses any semblance of moral standing, Ojudu should openly acknowledge that he emerged as a Senatorial candidate in the 2010 ACN primaries through manipulation and rigging. Yet, he now arrogates the moral high ground to lecture others on fairness and transparency, exposing his hypocrisy.
The truth remains: Senator Ojudu’s political journey is a case study in failed leadership, treachery, and superficiality. His inability to connect with the grassroots, reliance on manipulative tactics, and penchant for blame-shifting disqualify him from moral authority or leadership. The people of Ekiti and Nigeria at large have long seen through his empty rhetoric regarding him as a political charlatan, a blackmailer, and a man seeking relevance at all costs.
In conclusion, Ojudu’s groaning is not the voice of a statesman but the lament of a failed politician desperately attempting to salvage a tarnished reputation. His history of treachery, disconnection from the grassroots, and tendency to blame others for his failures make him unfit to offer moral or political guidance. Nigeria deserves leaders who accept responsibility, uphold integrity, and prioritize national progress over personal vendettas. Ojudu’s story is a stark reminder that politics rooted in treachery and superficiality ultimately lead to irrelevance and failure.
Igbalajobi Seun
Writes from Ado Ekiti
