Towards 2014 Election: Citizens’ Responsibilities

How time flies! It’s just like yesterday that the ebullient governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was sworn in as the duly-elected governor of the state in the 2007 governorship election having eventually won the protracted battle to reclaim his stolen mandate at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan late 2010.
Come November 26 it will be three years exactly that Ogbeni Aregbesola assumed responsibility as the governor of his state. Three years on the good people of Osun state have had a taste of good governance in unprecedented term. Virtually all sectors in the life of that state have witnessed transformation such that today the people are happy that they did not waste their mandate by voting Engineer Aregbesola as their governor in the last gubernatorial election. Their expectations are being met as dividends of democracy are being delivered on their doorsteps like never before.
No doubt the state of Osun has undergone a fruitful democratic sojourn in the last three years under the able leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola. In the past three years since the responsibility of steering the ship of his state fell on him it has been a different ball game entirely as governance has moved from the pedestrian, zero result level – as obtained during the lacklustre Oyinlola era – to an unusual, creative and focused level with its accompanying profitable results for the good people of Osun. We are of the belief that any sane mind cannot but agree that correct assertions are being made here.
As we are about entering election year this paper sees it as a matter of duty to start reminding our people about their responsibilities. And their responsibilities include registering to vote, voting right and monitoring their vote. They did it in 2007 and today having got value for their vote under Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration the onus is on them to ensure that the status quo remain. And the status quo can only remain by their support i.e they should continue to give their total support to Ogbeni Aregbesola. They have been supporting the government no doubt. The coming election will however offer them better opportunity to express their support in practical terms. That is when the governor himself will be able to know that the people really appreciate the fact that he has been working for them.
Practically the people of Osun can only express their support for Ogbeni Governor by returning him with their vote. By doing this they must have voted right. And to vote right means to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy (at least) for another four year term. It’s important this is done so as to consolidate their gains. Of course no one will like to eat his food with bitter or saltless soup. To do that will be totally unpalatable. Having tasted a working government it won’t augur well for the state to allow mediocre politicians of yesterday with blurred vision to come back on stage. In fact, that will not only be counter-productive, it will basically be disastrous for the state and its people as those who had nothing positive to showcase for the luxury of power they enjoyed for almost eight years cannot come now to sweet-tongue us about having any good plans for the state. Ask them; if truly they had good plans, why didn’t they execute it while in power? This is an obvious case.
Thus as it is obvious that these plotting-to-come-back politicians have nothing to offer so is it also obvious that the future of Osun is assured with Ogbeni Aregbesola. As a leader he has been tested and he has passed. He is therefore a tested and trusted candidate. He has not let the people down and for this he deserves to be re-elected. For the good work to continue in the state of Osun the power is in the hands of the people and we are very much optimistic that they will not misuse their voting power.
OSUN DEFENDER