Akeredolu's victory, a reward for hardwork: Jegede on on the right path towards 2024 Governorship election.

Akeredolu's victory, a reward for hardwork: Jegede on on the right path towards 2024 Governorship election.

By, Rwang Stephen

It is welcoming to note the growth in our democracy after the 2019 general elections.

INEC on it's part has introduced many innovations in the electoral system. But the need for the Federal government to sign the electoral act into law is sacrosanct and mostly necessary. The staggering elections has created room for the election management body to be on it oars and develop the system and transform the process. Lessons from Kogi election made INEC to get it right during the Edo and Ondo elections respectively.

While we praise INEC for the huge feat achieved recently, we implore it to do more and prepare better in respect to the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The security agencies are doing well too. Their role in Edo and Ondo has shown that the so called Federal might as displayed in Kogi last election is not working again, also violence election is giving way to peaceful election. In Kogi, a 60 year old woman was burnt alive in her apartment but such isn't the case in Edo and Ondo . People Should be allowed to vote for candidate of their choice without duress and pressure from the top.

The electoral observers did well in monitoring the process before, during and after. If this unbiased style of monitoring continue, then people will have more regards to the bodies in future elections.

The professors who are the returning officers are doing better now. They are well informed and educated in the process in areas of collation and announcement of results.

The youth Corp members seems to be have been better trained now than those of the previous elections. Which is why I have recommended in my previous writings that INEC must start training adhoc staffers a year or six months before the any election.

The media reportage was open and direct without favouritism. The media which is the fourth estate of the realm must maintain neutrality often. Indeed, Nigeria media is becoming world class and less sentimental. Kudos to them all. Journalism is taking shape.

AKEREDOLU'S VICTORY IS DIVINE AND A MARK OF ACCEPTABILITY FROM THE VOTERS.

Mr Akeredolu almost risked his second term quest on the ground of:

1. Standing by his people in the days of rising insecurities in the Southwest region. The role he played towards the formation of Amotekun breed bad relationship for him within the APC. Many saw him as regional governor working for the Southwest than working for his party. Many governors from Northeast and Northwest disassociated from him because of his position to defend the Southwest.

2. His boldness to speak the truth profoundly and profusely about the critical state of the nation and often, he expressed his concerned about developments in the nation without minding who gets hurt at the Federal hindered his popularity in the APC.

But with the support of his people, he coast to victory through the eye of the needle, 97050 people decided his victory against his opponent. This is how it should be. Governors must be firm and strong in what they do and believed in. Akeredolu like Obaseki also put an end end to godfatherism influence in his state. There are over 50 key achievements to his credit published online but unofficial to his credit. Well-done your Excellency.

3. The face-off between the Adam Oshiomhole's led national leadership camp of the APC and that of the first national chairman of the party Mr Oyegun's camp is another factor.

They believed that Akeredolu is not of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu camp so they worked secretly to push him off the pendulum, but the people who are the anchor held him back and helped him to victory.

4. The Ondo people from the riverine and waterways areas of the state. In my analysis before the election, I made it clear that, the river area people will decide who become governor not the mainland population but the Islanders. That's exactly what transpired.

5. His hard work and industriousness did the magic for him. He did extremely very well in the following areas:

1. Job creation

2. Industrialization

3. Empowerment of women and youths

4. Reforms of civil service

5. Payment of salaries

6. Massive roads construction

7. Dualization of the urban and rural areas

8. Education revitalization

9. Health care services and investment etc.

His acceptability was due to his grandiose success in Governance. His victory was well deserved.

6. His boldness and personality. In Yoruba land, people respect age. His good nature as well added feather to his personality. The elderly voted greatly in his favour. He is admired by many.

WHY JEGEDE WILL BE NEXT GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE IF HE DECIDES TO CONTEST AGAIN IN 2024.

1. It is worthy to note that, Jegede was a good candidate. He was to win the election if not the icebreaker role Agboola played. Above all, he did extremely well.

2. Jegede is the most popular candidate in the state now. Agboola is not as strong as Jegede. The impact of Agboola was negative to Jegede. If the duo had aligned and pull their strengths together in one accord, the incumbent Governor wouldn't have won.

3. Jegede over the years have built his popularity. He have achieved more and prepared himself already for future elections. He is the J.F. Kennedy of Ondo State. A man who contested many times before winning.

4. Jegede is smart and intelligent. He have a very good plan for the state. His love for education and concerned for the indigent population will make him win next election.

5. Another thing that Jegede did that is worthy of note is signing the peace accord and abiding by it. Unlike in Edo State. Izy-Iyamu agent didn't sign the results sheet but in Ondo state, Jegede asked his agent to sign. That's the acceptable conduct expected from a gentleman. He earned himself more love by that act of simplicity.

FACTORS TO NOTE THAT AFFECTED THE ONDO ELECTION SLIGHTLY.

1. Early rainfall. Whether you believe this or not. Many people didn't come out to vote again after the rainfall. If the weather was okay from the beginning to the end, the turnout would have been more than the present turnout. There was a massive and huge voters apathy in the Ondo election.

2. Boat mishap. Even though no lives and materials were lost in the unfortunate accident. It created fear in the hearts of many as well. Some see it as set-up. People can think and imagine anything.

3. Skirmishes in some areas. The security challenges experience in some parts made many people not to go out to vote due to fear of the unknown. This must be stopped in the next election.

4. Stabbing of a young man by some political hoodlums. That news scared many and some who are yet to vote ran back because of fear.

5. Overpopulation of security personnel for the election. How can you deployed 44,000 security for an election? Some people have what I can refer to as 'security-phobia'. The fear of security personnel. Others experience 'gun-phobia' as well. In future elections. We must be like Ghana. Guns mustn't be seen during elections.

6. Vote buying and vote selling. This is a constant factor in Nigeria's election. Laws must be put in place to tackle this. The APC and the PDP including the ZLP parties partook in this. INEC must work assiduously hard and well to curtail this act. It was on social media live that votes were bought for 5,000,7,000 and 10,000 respectively as the case maybe. This is insane and must be stopped.

My general assessment is that, INEC must be on it oars to conduct better elections for the nation through innovation, technology and neutrality. With this recent developments in Edo and Ondo if sustained in future elections, Nigeria will be rated high among the comity and community of States as a civilized country and as a democratic State like it's counterparts of: Rwanda,Ghana,South Africa and Kenya among others.

Other governors must learn from Akeredolu.

Stand for what you believed in. Work for you people. Deliver dividends of democracy to your people. Promote good Governance. Be bold to speak when you work. Seek reelection after you have done well for your state.

Invariably and most consequentially I must implore and recommend, Future politicians must borrow a leaf from Jegede.

Prepare years ahead before you win. Don't quit contesting until you emerge victorious. Be resilient in the pursuits of your dreams, envision and have consistency of vision.

I wish my good from Jegede (SAN) well in 2024 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION if he chooses to throw his hat in the ring again.

I wish Ondo people through best as I pray the governor Akeredolu (SAN) will keep bringing development to the State as he has promised. FINGERS CROSSED.

Rwang Patrick Stephen

A season political Scientist.

Federal University of Kashere Gombe State.