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Progressives

  • A Disturbing Political Representation

     Images 26Download 2 17Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a political leader of Yoruba extraction who lived by example.

    His leadership impacted positively on the Yoruba people in all spheres of life. However, it is doubtful if those who hold sway in this dispensation followed in his footsteps.

    Chief Awolowo had a formidable political structure that outlived him. In his time, political meetings were held at his Ikenne home in Ogun State.

    After the passing on to glory of Chief Awolowo, in the days of military rule, Chief Adekunle Ajasin took over the mantle of leadership, and meetings were held at his Owo home, Ondo State.

    During this period, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) came into being.

    After Chief Ajasin did his beat, Pa Abraham Adesanya  took over the structure up till the end of the military era.

    In the course of Pa Adesanya's leadership, those who could best be described as pseudo-Awoists and pseudo-democrats were accepted into the fold; sadly, the true and real progressives were barred due to the fact that they took up appointments in the military regime of the late despot, Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Now known as Afenifere, the group restricted its membership while maintaining a closely knit relationship with the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    At a glance, Afenifere was composed of the first generation of Awoists, the second 11, and the unknown elements. 

    The unknown elements eventually hijacked the structure through unconventional means.

    A prominent first-generation Awoist was a one-time governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

    However, Chiefs Bisi Akande and Segun Osoba belong to the second 11, while others were not yet into reckoning during the functional period of the group.

    At a point in time, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, the director of organization of  the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), then stated that in 1982, during the last convention of the UPN, Chief Awolowo expressed the hope that a time will come when the good elements in the conservatives ill join the good elements in the progressives to form a synthesis.

    But present happenings in the political sphere have defied this theory; rather, polarization and division are tools that have brought about the present scheme of things.

    Of note is the fact that the progressives of the time past embarked on laudable programs such as free education to empower the Yoruba people.

    Sadly, capitalist-inclined policies and nocturnal ideals and preferences are the working tools of today's leaders in the southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria, to the chagrin of the disillusioned and impoverished people.

    The new definition of the progressives includes, but is not limited to, the payment of school fees in primary and secondary schools, the introduction of multiple tax regimes, and the preference for mediocrity and people with doubtful educational qualifications to carry out government duties. So sad.

    Today, the mindset and body language of the political leadership at the center is best represented by  their  followers on the streets, offices, worship centers and other public places across the country. Very disturbing.