Ondo State, being one of the most intellectually endowed in Nigeria, has very strong political principles which will never give any politician an advantage of dribbling them in governance and getting away with it. Here are some norms about their politics:
1.Ondo hates god-fatherism: Ondo has been a great refuser of god-fatherism over the years, and the trend is still continuing till today. You cannot just come from another State or claim to be a cabal from Abuja and be dictating governance in Ondo. It hasn't worked before, and it's occurrence is of great level of uncertainty.
2. "No" is "No": Once the good people of Ondo State say "no" to a government, the translation is nothing but, "pack your things and leave". Politically, the people move enmass.
3. Politics of personality other than Party: Ondo has always reckoned with personality and not Party, especially when it comes to governorship election. An example is that of Mimoko of LP versus Agagu of PDP. Ranging from Adefarati, Agagu, Mimiko and Akeredolu, there is no gainsaying about the fact that the electorates voted for these individuals and not their political parties.
4. Don't easily forgive: I could recall vividly during the time of Adefarati when Adekunle Ajasin University was shut for a whole session due to a protest where some students were shot in Akure, the late governor was begged by Clergymen, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders in the State, but Baba remained adamant until the students lost the whole session. That was the genesis of Adefarati's failure. The aforementioned thereafter presented itself as the foundation which other problems of the former governor rested on. He lost his second term contest. More related occurrences occured in subsequent governments as well. Ondo hardly forgets or forgives.
5. Great voting education: The Sunshine State is a house of so many elites and geniuses. You would be surprised that in an election where we have more than one poll, PDP might win senatorial, APC house of assembly, LP house of representatives, AD presidential, and so on. Ondo people are perfect in the usage of their franchises.
6. Hates dictatorship and imposition: Ondo would always say "no" to dictatorship and imposition of candidates. It would be a 'bite against itself' for any Party that imposes a candidate as its flag bearer, because the people won't hesitate to respond appropriately through their votes.
7. Appreciates persistence: Looking at brief political history of the State, asides Adefarati, Ondo doesn't vote someone who has not shown commitment through persistence and purposeful determination. This is evident in the victories of Agagu, Mimiko and Akeredolu respectively. If any Party wants to harm itself therefore, let it present a candidate who has been invisible in Ondo politics, especially at the gubernatorial level for decades. It would be a gateway to another four years of thirst for them.
8. Hate arrogant leaders: Arrogance had never seen the light of the day in the State. If you are tested with power and you proved stubborn and arrogant, you would be humbled in the subsequent polls.
9. They are silent gunners: Ondo people don't make noise, you only hear their voices at polls. They are elites, they know where they are going. They believe in the saying that, "it's only an empty drum that makes noise".
10. Ondo elections can be bloody if they smell a rat: If you are in the minority class, or if the people have turned their backs against you, do not try to shortchange them at polls. Ask those who witnessed the 1983 mayhem.
CONCLUSION:
Above should be an eye opener for every political party participating in the Ondo 2020 to open their eyes wide and present a credible candidate who is the right choice of majority of Ondo State people, or pay with a good four year of queue and spectatorship.
Odunayo Ogunmodede writes from Akure.
isaacodunayo35@gmail.com, 07033504020
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