Bimbo Daramola and his zero tolerance for electoral violence, By Emmanuel Ajibulu

In spite of various enlightenment initiatives, as well as the impact of social media, it is unbelievable that some misguided youths still willingly embrace being political thugs, putting their lives on the line for selfish politicians who don’t care about their future.

And now, they have come again. Preparations for the 2023 elections are in top gear and many youths don’t seem to have learnt much from past experiences.

A nation with youths as political thugs has no plan for true development. Politicians need to hold themselves accountable for whatever they say during elections. However, this can only be achieved when they know that they will be held accountable.

In recent time, the scourge has become so detrimental to democratic sustainability in Nigerian politics in which thugs move mostly in groups victimising, terrorising, intimidating, and injuring innocent individuals and politicians.

Accordingly, the phenomenon affects individuals to pose deadly threats by deterring individuals to be active in political processes and routine socioeconomic activities at their homes, shops and on the streets.

Meanwhile, barely one week to Ekiti State governorship election, which will accordingly hold on Saturday, June 18, 2022 supporters of former Governor Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were reportedly attacked by some armed thugs leading to the avoidable death of one person while several others sustained injuries.

The bloody clash was said to have taken place on June 11, 2022 in Itaji, Oye Local Government Area of the state. This is a sad narrative as Ekiti State Governorship election is meant to be historic as it will be used as a litmus test under the new Electoral Act.

What is however most regrettable in the Saturday unfortunate incident was the mention of Hon. Bimbo Daramola who was only at the venue to campaign for his principal, the candidate of SDP, Engineer Segun Oni. This is most callous, uncharitable, thoughtless and irresponsible for any paid hatchet men or fifth columnists to drag Bimbo Daramola (Congressman) into such despicable matter.

Bimbo Daramola for who he is, is admired and celebrated by a lot of people locally and internationally simply because of his history and antecedents as well as his style of politics which is about decency, honesty, uprightness, transparency, inclusiveness, modesty, sincerity and tolerance.

Daramola is known for treating with disdain and contempt every form of political thuggery, an aspect of social violence which is devastating in Nigerian democracy.

For the records political thuggery was never Bimbo Daramola’s style and it will never be. I have worked very closely with him when he was at the National Assembly representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency [Ikole and Oye LGAs]; and when he was Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly.

Again, I have come to know Bimbo Daramola as an adept legislator and politician with obsession for excellence, hardwork and results with integrity and dignity. I was enthralled by his passion and love for Ekiti State as a whole, similarly his commitment towards the unity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity is also phenomenal and flawless.

Daramola’s mien, charisma and acceptance by the people from all walks of life are great assets that always set rare distinctions for him to unlock opportunities and ultimately with excellent electoral values.

History is indeed replete with empirical evidences of Daramola’s success stories and accomplishments in his endeavors both in private and public sectors, he is one unique Nigerian who always prioritised performance and competency when it comes to leadership.

Meanwhile, Daramola’s support for Segun Oni was a very well thought out decision having shared similar virtues and excellent character traits. Moreover, Engineer Segun Oni is not a green horn in politics, his entry into the 2022 Ekiti State gubernatorial race didn’t come by accident, it is a well measured decision, after a wide consultation with relevant and critical stakeholders across board irrespective of their political affiliations as well as leadership of student Unions, Trade Unions, religious and traditional institutions, etc.

Segun Oni is better prepared to offer the type of quality leadership Ekiti State is lacking and that it deserves. Governance is for the serious-minded people and as such Engineer Oni holds all the aces in Ekiti State.

● Emmanuel Ajibulu wrote from FCT Abuja, he’s a public affairs analyst, social media influencer, writer and publisher of online magazine, veracitydesk.com.ng, emmanuelajibulu@gmail.com