By Boma Nwuke
Less than 15 hours from now, the people of Ondo State will file out of the comfort of their homes to determine who among the candidates of the political parties would protect their interests and that of the state in the much awaited governoship election.
Politics is said to be a game of interest . That interest could be personal or group.That interest can make or mar a people, which is why electorates must look before they leap.
Politics is a game of numbers, numerical strength is crucial in electing a candidate. When interest is accompanied by a good number of voters and reliable permutations, victory is sure as it would be clear and convincing for the side that loses.
Elections have proven to be very expensive as manifested in vote buying, thuggery, arson and killing.
Just a few days ago, pockets of violence were recorded on campaign routes in the state, reportedly perpetrated by supporters of the two political parties, resulting in avoidable deaths and serious injuries.
The election in Ondo appears to have different dance steps, compared to the September 19 governoship election in Edo State.The reasons for this are not too far to infer.
First, there are two major candidate’s flexing their strengths to occupy the government house in Akure . They include the incumbent governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the APC and Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP.
However, another candidate Ajayi of the ZLP lurks in the dark claiming to be the underdog.
Although elections conducted generally and offcycle, had revealed that the contest had always been between the APC and the PDP, recent developments in Ondo appear to counter that order as supporters of Ajayi, the deputy governor who is challenging his boss in the contest believed he is not one to be dismissed with a wave of hand.
Second, the two major candidates, Akeredolu and Jegede are Senior Advocates (SANS)of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,a title given to lawyers who have distinguished in law .By so distinguished,they are seen as gentlemen who are better placed to uphold the tenets of democracy better than some of their apologists and sympathisers who are already beating the war drum
Another reason is that the APC, having lost the Edo State election are determined not to let Ondo go to the opposition to avoid another round of taunting and ranting by the PDP. The APC stalwarts had already asked the PDP to steer clear of the Ondo election as it would never be the same as Edo.
As can be seen and heard, party officials have already mobilised to the state to make last minute arrangements to shore up their support bases and set machineries in motion for victory at the polls.
On Wednesday,a televised debate in which the APC and PDP candidates were participants thrived on the podium of facts and fiction leaving audience the responsibility of spotting the winner.
Same Wednesday, the parties held their Mega rallies that announced a congregation of political actors, serving and retired,old and young.
On the roll call of the APC were, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice,Yemi Osinbajo who sent virtual messages acknowledging the achievements of their party candidate asking the electorates to vote for the party while also calling for credible election .Others on the VIP list included, governors of Lagos, Osun, Kogi, Yobe, who is the party’s caretaker chairman,Ekiti,Imo.
The PDP on the other hand, flaunted its National Chairman,governors of Sokoto, Rivers,Bauchi,Oyo, Bayelsa, former governors of Niger , Kano and others.
By now, the Ondo people should know that there is no alternative to peace. By now the people whose hands lie the power of change or continuity should know that their state should never be allowed to be used as a cauldron of expressed anger and violence.
The Police Chief has deployed over thirty thousand men and officers of the force, the Civil Defence and other security agencies have also moved to Ondo to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The people need to know that their votes will count . Luckily, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC had assured that it would do just that.That is most welcome.
Nevertheless, the election day and outcome will tell if there was “Wuruwuru” or “Magomago” in the conduct.
