Despite the tensions in Oyo State politics, it turned out to be one of Nigeria's most pleasant political experiences as a former governor, Rashidi Ladoja, alongside other Governor Seyi Makinde's opponents have come out to congratulate him over his second-term election victory.
The two other likeliest winners of the gubernatorial election in the state, Adebayo Adelabu (Accord) and Teslim Folarin (APC), have also congratulated Makinde over his re-election.
Ladoja, a former governor of the state and a prominent high chief in Ibadanland, who publicly endorsed the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, extended his congratulatory message to the governor via message retrieved by AllNews Nigeria's correspondent on Tuesday.
Though the spirit of sportsmanship is commendable, a deep look into the content of the congratulatory message reveals smite and danger.
In the congratulatory message, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland wished the governor the power to fulfil his lofty promises to the people.
His exact words: “My dear governor. Congratulations on your reelection for another term of four years.
“By now, the campaigns are over. The outbursts are over, the various lies are over. The abuses are over.
"The curses are over. The deliberate misinterpretations are over. The jostlings for spaces are over.
"All the dramatis personae have quit the stage with their laurels and bruises, leaving you alone.
“What is now left are your promises and stark realities.
"May God help you succeed to the people’s expectation, your satisfaction and fulfillment in this selfless job before you.”
Ladoja’s message seems pregnant with unexpressed reservations and unhappiness with how the incumbent governor ran his campaign.
It can be assumed that he told the governor indirectlythat it is high time he abandoned the campaign strategy and faced the real deal.
He also suggested that the governor might not have clinched the ticket fair and square but because of some factors and external aids.
Therefore, he tried to convey that the governor should know that the external backbones cannot and will not help in running the government.
Since there is a general feeling that the second term is a curse, and the only governor who broke the curse in the state, Abiola Ajimobi, performed below expectations in the second term.
Ladoja carefully reminded the governor that he should not play on the emotions of the voters by turning his back on the people in his second term not to continue the precedence.
Even though the congratulatory message is a hand of solidarity and sportsmanship, it bears more danger and caution than congratulation from a political perspective.
Some Twitter users also share their views on the congratulatory message:
Those Baba Ladoja words are loaded and deep. A proper Ibadan man.
— Akin Akinwale (@mrlurvy) March 21, 2023
More like, ‘Agodi Emperor, o ku iwo ati iwa e’
This is what democratic leaders should emulate, in a democracy you have to be diplomatic
— Daddy Rex (@taiwasc) March 21, 2023
God is with Seyi already. He is a success?
— Dare (@darefadeyi1) March 21, 2023
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