RE: DEPUTY GOVERNOR IN OTA, IS IT A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
A modest reply to Mr. Lai Taiwo.
Ogbeni Lai Taiwo from Ota, in his attempt to impress his Paymaster, in the early hours of Monday December 18, 2023 launched a diatribe against the person of Her Excellency Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele (the Deputy Governor of Ogun State).
Like a broken megaphone on repeat, mounted by a man suffering from verbal Diarrhea, Mr. Lai went on to narrate how his Principal, the distinguished Senator Adeola Solomon forced himself on the committee to pay for the Iganmode Festival Stage in Ota and how the Senator was unable to deliver a speech despite forcing himself on the organizing committee to sponsor the stage setup.
f he had stopped at that, one would have concluded that maybe Mr. Lai woke up from the wrong side of the bed, however it was clear from the writeup that perhaps Mr. Lai was queried by his Principal to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him for failing to hijack the stage for his Principal.
One of the strategies of Mr. Lai Taiwo to stay relevant politically ahead of 2027 is to find a way to controversially bring the Deputy Governor’s name into his numerous write ups. We are at a loss as to why Mr. Lai will choose to denigrate the successful Iganmode day festival which has been acclaimed by all Aworis as being absolutely successful, culminating into Her Excellency being named as the BEERE (first daughter) of Aworiland by all the Awori Monarchs present at the event. If anything, Mr. Lai has demonstrated his desperation convincingly and beyond every reasonable doubt, that in his attempt to please his Principal, he won’t mind bringing down the whole roof.
At the venue of the event, the Senator Solomon Adeola group had issues with everybody. They attempted to overrun, intimidate and harass the camp of the Deputy Governor, her invited guests and Hon. Tunji Akinosi (the Honourable Member representing Ado-Odo / Ota Federal Constituency) while forgetting that the event was a socio-cultural event and not a political gathering. It is important to also educate the unsuspecting public that nowhere in the event as published in the program brochure was Solomon Yayi listed as part of those to give a speech. Even Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor did not deliver her speech despite the fact that her name was published as part of those to deliver a speech on that day. So what is now the fussing about? What Mr. Lai failed to tell the world was that all the attempt to intimidate the Master of Ceremony to smuggle Senator Adeola Solomon to the podium fell flat on its face to his utter disappointment. One is tempted to ask: How much did Mr. Lai Taiwo billed Senator Adeola Solomon to have promised him heaven on earth that he will be smuggled on to the stage to show off? In his insipid and infantile write up, Mr. Lai Taiwo infamously and unknowingly admitted that Senator Adeola Solomon did not give his donation that day because he was not allowed to give a speech. So one begin to ask; what is so important about his speech that heaven must fall because he wasn’t allowed to rubbish the gathering of Awori Sons and Daughters on their soil? Threatening to beat up the MC of the event proves nothing other than desperation; Mr. Lai Taiwo should be reminded that his old trade mark of political violence has no place in today’s Nigeria, This would have resulted in a needless drama.
Furthermore, dignifying Mr. Lai a response on all his fallacious points in his write up will amount to a wink in the dark – it is a wasted effort. But for clarification’s sake, it is pertinent to ask him what was his intervention in the Atan-Ota and Sango-Ota Obaship issues, was he not the Chairman of the State Assembly Commission where the amendment Bill was passed? We challenge Mr. Lai to publish the memo where these Obaship issues were tabled at the State Excos meeting. Incase Mr. Lai is not aware, the only reason why the wrong person has not been installed as Oba in Sango Ota is because of Her Excellency. We need to tell Mr. Lai for free that the way the Lion walks is not the same way it catches its prey.
As we journey towards 2027, one of the greatest liabilities that Senator Solomon Adeola will have to do away with is Mr. Lai Taiwo who is hell bent on creating unnecessary friction and imaginary enemies where none exist. Unfortunately for him and his co-sponsors, the questions, debates and decisions around and about 2027 will never be complete without the camp of the Deputy Governor being on the discussion table were important decisions about the soul of Ogun West and Ogun State will be discussed. Preempting where the pendulum will swing ahead of 2027 is a needless distraction that shouldn’t be emanating from Mr. Lai who is tactically projecting himself as one of the aspirants for an elective position.
Lastly, if truly the good people of Aworiland have spoken and demonstrated their love for Senator Adeola Solomon (which Mr. Lai is desperately trying to financially purchase for the distinguished Senator), why then is anyone losing sleep over an irrelevant item as mundane as not delivering a speech at an event where you were not designated to speak? Are we doing speech delivery competition ni Sir? As for the popularity trek, was Mr. Lai missing in action during the last campaign visit of the Governor to our Local Government? What more popularity show do we need with the Tsunami votes we got from the 655 Polling Units in the the last election? To answer your question, Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State and the Beere (the First Daughter) of Aworiland is a blessing to Aworiland, Ogun State, Nigeria and the world at large and you are a beneficiary of her blessings. Be not confused about it Sir.
Mr Lai Taiwo, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.
*Saheed OYEDE is a Prince of Ota and writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.
