Ekiti Gubernatorial has come and gone. Though the victor and vanquished have emerged, political pundits are still wondering what went wrong for the incumbent governor. It is not even now and then you see an incumbent losing to another.
Picking the lessons in this election is therefore necessary for both aspiring politicians and sitting politicians. Here are a few lessons to be learnt.
One, the electorate do not necessarily like a reformer. Especially when it is an electorate that is largely uninformed, the populist will always have his way over the reformer. The electorate in Ekiti spoke clearly that they are not interested in the beautiful reforms of Gov. Fayemi. They would rather follow Fayose.
Two, a leader can only succeed to the extent to which he is able to strike a balance between his vision and the desires of the followership. No matter how beautiful the leader’s vision is, if the followership feels that its interest will be jeopardize, such leadership will meet with frustration. Fayemi dared the status quo, constructed new roads, challenged the old teachers to upgrade their qualifications, but the people of Ekiti felt he wasn’t taken care of their own interest and they voted him out.
Three, no matter how good you are or how successful you have become as a leader, don’t take your followers for granted. Reach out to them by every means possible. They can make or break you. Billboard campaign can only take you far. House to house campaign always endears the leader to the people. Get involved in the grunt work.
Four, our democracy is still a young one. In another clime and under a different democratic dispensation, Fayemi would have won a second term. In matured democracy, politics of ideology always win over ‘Amala politics ‘. But this is not necessarily so in a growing democracy like ours. You must mix your ideology with some Amala. ‘A little to the people and a little to the party’ is more like it.
Five, don’t rely on the strength of your political party. People sometimes vote for the personality and not the party. Other times too, people vote for the party regardless of the personality. Jonathan won last Presidential election based on personal appeal built up from the ‘boy with no shoe’ story. He didn’t win because he belonged to PDP.
Finally, to the people of Ekiti, I wish you the best as you await the inauguration of the second coming of Fayose. I pray your decision augurs well for your State.

Again, I say we are the architect of our woes as a nation. Our institutions (traditional, religious and educational) continue to celebrate, encourage and reward corruption and we keep hoping that things will get better. Nay, far from it. Any society that celebrates corrupt practices is self-destructive.
See another evil under the heavens, Stella Oduah, former aviation minister who was embroiled in corruption, has been given a chieftancy title by some chiefs in Anambra. We can’t record any progress at this trend.

As I write this I am extra conscious of the fact that my life will also be subjected to both private and public scrutiny in life and in death. Posterity will judge me as it will judge all men. No one is exempted from the judgement of posterity. None. We will all report at the throne of judgement of posterity besides the Great Judgement before our Maker after death.
I have therefore resolved to strive to do such things, say such things, act in such manners and provide leadership in whatever position I find myself in such a way that when I leave this side of the divide, people will not squirm at the mention of my name. Such that youths across the nation will not throw party at the announcement of my passage into the world beyond. Such that my name will evoke sweet memories, it will evoke prayers of peace in death, it will evoke eulogies and praises such as Dora Akunyili’s name.
“Veni Vidi Vici”. She came. She saw. She conquered. As the nation mourns the passing away, not death, because her place in the words of Sabella Abidde “among the living is assured”. She lives on. This is a big indictment on all leaders either in public or private enclave who have made a mess of service. On all those who are currently mishandling the nation’s resources and also encouraging wanton and reckless corruption, shame on you. Dora lives on. For every eulogy she gets, it is a curse for you unless you amend your ways.
In the same manner we are praising Dora today, we will curse you in death such that even death will reject your soul. You will find no peace in death. For all of you who have conspired to ruin this nation, posterity is waiting to judge you and I can assure you, your verdict is known. Your kins men and women would wish they were never connected to you in any way. Your name will cause people to spit and hiss in anger.
Dora’s passing away is another opportunity for you to check your ways and carry out a fresh self appraisal. You should ask yourself this question, ‘What will people say about me in death?’ Or for those who do not care about their names after death (because there are many such whose consciences have been seared and have become totally insensitive), the questions should be ‘How will my family fare after my death?’. ‘Will my name attract favour to them or cause them to be treated like a leper?’ Ponder on these questions and make amends where necessary.
Posterity awaits all of us, just as posterity has started judging Prof. Dora Akunyili.
Rest on ‘best among women’ Truly many daughters excel, but you have excelled them all. Your place among the living is assured.