WHERE IS OKEOGUN WOMEN IN POLITICS OF OYO STATE?

 Barr. Abdul Waheed Olatunde Lawal asks.

'If you want something said, ask a man, If you want something done, ask a woman' 

Margaret Thatcher

There is a huge difference between the leadership of men and women in politics. I can say without exaggeration that few women in politics are more beneficial in their leadership than men. I have seen more irresponsible leaders among men than women in politics, Okeogun is not an exception.

For example most leaders who have failed us in Okeogun are men. We  complained against leadership (poor, bad, ineffective and selfish leaders) who have led us in the past. How many of them were women? Just mention one. All of those I know, or let me say 99.9 % are men. 

We have never tried women. For the first time, you have a woman who is passionate about Okeogun. A woman like 10 men, fearless, courageous and not stingy like most of our fathers and brothers who have been put forward in the past. If you like, say that I have been given millions, just mention dollars not naira. And get prepared to come for your own, its your cup of tea. The issue im addressing is leadership issue in Okeogun. People said we dont have leaders, i said NO. We have leaders but we dont have good leaders. We have leaders who believe in multiplying followers rather than replicating leaders. We have leaders who know how to take but cannot give.

Let me ask you, how many of our richmen are ready to spend their fortunes on

politics? 

How many of those who made it in politics are ready to spend on politics?

An average politician from Okeogun who managed to represent us at Oyo State House of Assembly does not want to return to Okeogun after the expiration of his tenure. Similarly, the one you sent to Abuja,  will not look back. Most Okeogun indigenes who made it in politics hardly lift another up.

How will you describe a situtaion where there is a political meeting in Ibadan and an Okeogun man has to be sponsored by an Ibadan man to attend that meeting? Who do you think he will be loyal to? How can such a fellow represent Okeogun well at such meeting? Again, how will you describe a former elected or appointed  public officer from Okeogun who needed to wait for an Ibadan man to buy him flight ticket to attend a political party meeting in Abuja? How will you describe a situation where an okeogun politician cannot tell a gubernatorial candidate that to allow him to bear campaign and Election expenses in Okeogun on his behalf?

I have raised many issues here. But the one I wish to address is about Okeogun women participation in politics. How many woman of substance do we have in politics from Okeogun?  Or are our women not allowed to participate in politics of our area?

What is wrong if we have at least one woman in each local govt? Where you have one from Okeogun, must you discourage her? Must you frustrate her? Must you kill her? What is wrong with us? Why do we envy or hate any woman that is rising politically? If your daughter, sister, wife or mother, aunt and niece are making progress, will you kill her? will you ignore her? Will you send her into exile or disown her? Why is Okeogun not getting this politics right? Just look at Ibadan, late Iyalode of Ibadan Amina Abiodun, Suliat Adedeji, they were political heavy weights of their time. Later Alhaja Mutiat Ladoja, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Alhaja Bose Adedibu all from Ibadan, the people of Ibadan encouraged them.

In Oyo, we have Senator Monsura Sumomonu.

In Ogbomoso, we have Hon Mulkat Akande Adeola.

In Ibarapa we have Hon. Mrs. Funmilayo Orisadeyi.

Mention the one we have in Okeogun. You dont know abi?

Me, I know Chief Mrs Hannah Ogunesan.

She was the immediate past Head of Service in Oyo State. If you will hear her talk from some Okeogun person, only the negative would be said about her while

her positive side would be hidden by our people. That's our people for you.

Upon investigation I discovered that this woman is not as painted by some blackmailers and womanhater.

I advise you, Don't allow any person to feed you with wrong information and fake

news. Do your own investigations and ask questions. She is alive, if you interogate her, you will know the stuff she is made of.

Im aware of a handful number of people who have benefitted from her, particularly when she was in service. She helped people in cash and in kind. People who benefitted from her told some of us and we know them.

Now, its time to decide whether you want her pulled down or raised up.

If you care to ask me, I will tell you, let us rally round her. As far as politics is concerned in Oyo State and in particular Okeogun, I dont think this woman is a push over.

If you cant produce, dont be a destroyer. I

have passed my message again, if you like curse me, i know your curses will be converted into blessing for me.

May God bless those who read with an open mind and accept the truth in my write up.