Ojudu-Ekitis in Diaspora Parley: Matters Arising

By Bunmi Aborisade, New York

This is not the first time a Nigerian politician will take political campaign to Nigerians in Diaspora. Bashorun MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12 1993 Presidential elections took the campaign to reclaim his mandate to Nigerians in Diaspora.

NADECO, the umbrella organization for progressive Nigerian politicians took Nigeria political struggle to Nigerians in Diaspora. President Olusegun Obasanjo rallied round Nigerians in Diaspora to support his government and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan did the same.

As a presidential aspirant, Nuru Ribadu stormed Europe and America with Team Ribadu, to convince Nigerians in Diaspora that a new Nigeria is possible. State Governors from time to time visit their citizens in Diaspora to tap into their human and material resources to develop their states. Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State enjoyed a lot of goodwill from Ekiti indigene in Diaspora and they contributed their quotas to his government.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has just completed a tour of the United States of America with his Ekiti Rebirth Organization (ERO) to sensitize Ekiti Indigenes in Diaspora on the need to join hands with him to rebuild Ekiti State. He was accompanied by three members of ERO Nigeria, Messrs Femi Ajiniran, Tunji David and Segun Ajibulu. He was joined by ERO USA coordinators and members- Joe Tolu Olugbamila, Kayode Omoboya, Beatrice Ayoride, Pastor Olumide Olamosun, Dr. Mina Parker, and Olumide Adakeja, ERO USA Youth Leader. Late last year, Senator Ojudu and ERO toured Europe to woo Ekiti indigenes to support his vision and mission to rebuild Ekiti State.

This trend in Nigeria’s Political campaign is understandable in view of the brain drain in the country.

So, for any political leader to rebuild the country at any level, it is imperative to convince those in Diaspora to be part of the process. Having participated in organizing Town Hall meetings for Nigerian politicians in the United States, I am convinced that Nigerians in Diaspora love Nigeria more than Nigerians back home. They want Nigeria to be a better place to live so that they can go back home while most Nigerians back home want to leave the country for greener pastures elsewhere.

I had the opportunity of participating in the hosting of a parley between NADECO Chieftains and Nigerians in Diaspora here in New York many years ago.

As coordinator of Team Ribadu USA, I still remember how we organized Town Hall meetings for Ribadu, and how we set up Team Ribadu in the fifty States of United States of America, all for the love of our country Nigeria. When Ekiti State Dr. Fayemi visited New York without notice, within two days, we organized a Town Hall meeting for him and the venue was filled up with Ekiti indigenes.

When Senator Ojudu toured the United States penultimate week, it was phenomenal as Ekiti indigenes dared the extremely cold weather to listen to him speak at Town Hall meetings.

From Maryland to New York, New York to Atlanta, Atlanta to Huston, it was ERO witi witi witi. Again, we did all that because we want Ekiti/Nigeria to be a better place to live. None of these politicians paid anyone for what we did; we spent our money and time for them.

As expected, critics of Ojudu laid ambush for stories of his parley with Ekitis in Diaspora. The Social Media was agog with their uncomplimentary comments. Let’s hear them: Is Ojudu going to be the governor of Ekitis in Diaspora? He should concentrate on the local governments in Ekiti instead of dissipating his energy on Ekitis in Diaspora.

Is it the Ekitis in Diaspora that will vote for him? He has gone to America to collect their dollars and when it is time for political appointments, Ekitis in Diaspora will dominate the Cabinet. The level of ignorance displayed by these critics is pitiable. Rather than condemn them, they deserve to be educated so that they would know what they do not know.

It is therefore necessary for the critics to know that Ekiti State governor is expected to serve both Ekitis at home and those in Diaspora. So, the interests of all Ekiti indigenes must be taken into consideration at all times, irrespective of where they chose to live. On the issue of Ojudu dissipating his energy on Ekitis in Diaspora, it should be noted that both Ekitis in Diaspora and at home are stakeholders in Ekiti politics and they deserve equal treatment.

On the electoral values of Ekitis in Diaspora, they may not be able to vote in the coming elections, they have relations in Ekiti who they can easily influence during party primary and inter-party elections which was exactly what Senator Ojudu tapped into during his meetings with Ekitis in Diaspora. On the issue of giving dollars for political appointment, friends can donate to friends’ campaign no matter whether they are in Ekiti or in Diaspora. The choice is theirs as Ekiti indigene.

It is the prerogative of the governor to choose those to put in his cabinet. Professor Bolaji Aluko was a leading member of Dr. Fayemi’s Diaspora team and he did not accept political appointment in Ekiti when Dr. Fayemi became governor. My humble self supported Dr. Fayemi from Diaspora and when I was in Nigeria throughout his regime without holding any political appointment.

Accepting political appointment in Nigeria can be a pay cut for those in Diaspora if one considers what those in Diaspora make and the opportunities at their disposal. So, our friends in Ekiti who think Ekitis in Diaspora are coming home to take their jobs should take it easy as no one is after their jobs.

With Senator Ojudu’s parley with Ekitis in Diaspora, Ekitis in Diaspora now see hope coming; they see Senator Ojudu as a man they can do business with, they see in him, a man who is sincere and passionate about his mission and vision for Ekiti State. Ekitis is Diasporas were particularly impressed with how he wants to tackle unemployment in Ekiti State by creating agricultural settlements in the sixteen local governments of the State to absorb the unemployed.

On the mirage of problems in Ekiti States and Nigeria which renders political leaders unpopular, Senator Ojudu said it is time politicians come up with programs that will address the needs of the people collectively rather than solving people’s problem one-on-one and at the end of the day will end up not solving the problems.

Reports from the different states visited by Senator Ojudu during the parley clearly show that a new Ekiti is possible with Senator Ojudu as governor.

Now the Ojudu-Ekiti Diaspora parley: ERO USA Team lead by Joe Tolu Olugbamila welcomed Senator Ojudu at Washington Dulles International Airport and the Senator was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Miss Favour Opanuga before the team proceeded to kick off the Town Hall meeting in Maryland.

Throughout the Town Hall meetings, Senator Ojudu was very clear about his mission in the governorship race of Ekiti State-To rescue the state from mismanagement, misappropriation of state funds, nonpayment of workers’ salaries, unemployment, endemic failures, mental slavery and the insult called Stomach Infrastructure.

The Senator laid down his plan to rebuild Ekiti State at the Town Hall meetings, and those present were able to make inputs. The Senator’s presentation of his FINE Agenda was met with resounding applause and standing ovation at the Town Hall meetings across the United States of America.

The Senator’s citation read at the Town Hall meetings invoked sympathy and emotional outburst among Ekitis in Diaspora. When they were reminded of the Senator’s role in Nigeria’s political struggle, Human Rights activities, imprisonment without trial, and ordeals at the hands of Nigerian Military Juntas, it was in unison that Ekiti is Diaspora agreed that he can surely rebuild Ekiti State as governor.

Maryland: The Town Hall meeting kicked off on Thursday January 4 2018 at 13801 Dawn Whistle Way Bowie. Mr. Richard Adeleke Opanuga welcomed the Senator to the USA and introduced ERO members present. The Senator thanked everybody for coming to listen to him despite the bad weather which paralyzed almost all activities in the city.

The Senator tabled his reason for the trip and urged Ekitis present to call their families back home to support his bid for the governorship of Ekiti State. Dr. Bunmi Dada came from Virginia to give her touching testimony of how Senator Ojudu got her through Medical School. Mrs. Bolanle Opanuga of Taxpoint presented the company’s Merit award to the Senator in recognition of his love and passion for Ekiti State.

New York: The team moved to New York on Friday Jan. 5, 2018 for the second Town Hall meeting slated for Saturday January 6, 2018. Senator Ojudu and ERO team were received at JFK airport by a team of ERO members in New York lead by the Coordinator, Mr. Sesan Adeleye.

Others are: Biodun Ajiniran, Stella Ajinira, Oladele Kuti, Ayodeji Ojo, Alhaja Sade Ojora, Dele Ojora, Adepeju Ojora and Miss Baraka Kuti who presented the Senator with a bouquet of flowers. While in New York, the team paid a courtesy visit to Group Captain Oluropo Aiyegbusi (rtd) from Ijero Ekiti in Far Rockaway, New York.

The team later visited Sahara Reporters where Senator Ojudu granted an interview to Sahara TV. It is significant to note that Senator Ojudu is one of the few Nigerian politicians who can boldly walk into Sahara Reporters without any fear of being accused of corruption.

President Mohammed Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo featured on Sahara Reporters and they were given clean bill of health-they are corruption free as Sahara Reporters’ dossier on them did not show any form of corruption.

The team and other Ekiti indigenes later converged at 2724 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York on Saturday January 6, 2018 for the New York Town Hall meeting where the Senator again presented his agenda to rebuild Ekiti state and called for the support of Ekitis in Diaspora.

“I know you may not be able to vote in the coming elections in Ekiti, but I beg you to call your families and friends in Ekiti who are delegates of our Party, APC, to vote for me” Ojudu added. The New York Town Hall meeting was moderated by Mr. Gbenga Omotayo, while Mr. Tolu Ayorinde from Ado Ekiti who teaches in New York gave an inspirational vote of thanks on behalf of ERO New York.

Atlanta: The Atlanta event was unique. The Senator was received at the airport by the Nigerian Consulate General in Atlanta, Mr. Kayode Laro and the ERO Team in Atlanta, and neighboring States. The Town Hall Meeting was attended by both old and young Ekitis in Diaspora, including the former Principal of Aquinas College, Akure, Ondo State; Baba E.O. Dare who retired 31years ago.

The climax of the Town Hall meeting was the presentation of award to Senator Ojudu by the Atlanta City Council. The award which was signed by the President of Atlanta City Council, Felicia Moore and other members of the council is in recognition of the Senator’s Service to humanity and contribution to the development of the legislative arm of government at the Nigerian Senate. The award was presented on behalf of the council by Engr. Soji Tinubu. The Atlanta meeting was hosted by Hon. Muyiwa Ojo-Polar from Efon-Alaaye but based in Atlanta.

Houston: Hon. Mrs. Felicia Ajayi, ERO Women Leader was at hand in Huston as she played host to ERO members to ensure a successful deliberation. Senator Ojudu was received at the George Bush Airport by ERO team lead by Mrs. Ajayi. The Senator was later a guest at ABN TV Studio program, “Eto Oro to Nlo” a Yoruba program.

Ekitis in Houston turned out in their numbers to listen to the agenda to rebuild Ekiti State presented by Senator Ojudu on Tuesday Jan. 9, 2018 at Victory Café, 9651 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas. The Town Hall meeting was moderated by Dr. Banji Dada. During the question and answer time, a Texas Police Trooper from Ikoro Ekiti, Mr. Olajide Ayeni questioned the Security Vote of the State Governors in Nigeria with the Security challenges in the country.

While ERO members home and abroad are joyous over the success of Senator Ojudu’s parley with Ekitis in Diaspora, the Ojudu-Ekitis in Diaspora Parley is already causing panic in the camps of other aspirants to the governorship position in Ekiti State, as Ekitis in Diaspora throw their weight behind Senator Ojudu’s aspiration.

As the parley comes to a close, ERO members in Ekiti were clamoring for the return of the Senator to Ekiti. Leading the call for the return of the Senator to Ekiti State was Tokunbo Arababa in Ado Ekiti and Dr. Mina Parker, ERO USA Financial Secretary in Maryland fired back: You have had the Senator all along, let Ekitis in Diaspora have him too. But before they knew it, the Senator was back in Ekiti State. What an interesting Parley!