In the Grandiose Parlor…

All politics is local, and I wish I could be back home in Nigeria, specifically my town Ondo to be part of what is – in every sense and purpose -an unprecedented political and social movement orchestrated of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko – the Labor Party candidate running for the gubernatorial seat. While I can’t be physically be in Ondo, it gives me great pleasure to be part of the “Mimiko-phenomenon” from the Diaspora, and contribute in my little ways to the revolutionary movement that has ignited an uncommon passion that promises to change the socio-political and economic landscape of Ondo state for good. In the last couple of days, I have been working with some individuals and groups in “capturing” this movement by creating an online (“unofficial” ) platform (mimikoforgovernor.com) for the Mimiko phenomenon. Given the limitations of time and fund, the Website is not the best possible, but the most practical at this time. It is comment enabled, and in need of input from not only those that share the vision of Dr Mimiko, but dissenters as well.

Doing the Unexpected
When Mimiko, a grassroots politician and the former Housing Minister under President Obasanjo, declared his intention to run for office early December last year, and after he moved from the deep-pocketed Nigerian ruling party (the PDP), and aligned with, and got adopted, by the Labor Party, a formerly obscure political party, a move one would have deemed suicidal; his stock sudden skyrocketed, and has been rising in a linear progression since. This is an unprecedented occurrence in the political story of Ondo State and perhaps in Nigeria. Why so?

As a former PDP chieftain in Ondo state and Nigeria, it is uncommon, and in fact unexpected, that Mimiko would jesttioned the party through which he has served as a Secretary to State Government (SSG) and federal Minister for an unknown political party (Labor) with no known political structure or influence. But this is what he did! Overnight, he became an opponent of the PDP, a party he helped build and nurture to victory just four years earlier. And it appears he is all the better for it. How did he do the the unexpected?

The Journey to Prominence
Well, those in tune with the politics of Ondo state should have an idea of how Mimiko did the unexpected. This is a man who has a simple but uncommon passion to serve his people, and this trait shows clearly in his persona: His open-door policy has endeared him some much to the people who have come to see his as an acquaintance, friend, leader, mentor, and messiah; his reach extends far and near; he’s charismatic and modest; and above all, he’s a gentleman and full-blooded activist that has genuine compassion for people. These traits are uncommon in the Nigerian political scene, this coupled with his extensive wealth of public service experience (two-time state Health Commissioner, Secretary to State government (SSG), and federal Minister), makes Mimiko a prime candidate and someone who has the clout to orchestrate the unexpected.

His doing the unexpected would have been thinkable without a strong motivation to serve and make a difference; this is what drives Mimiko’s ambition. This ambition has made Mimiko make unexpected pacts and switch political platforms when the going seemed not in his favor. He switched from the AD – a formerly formidable political organization in southwest Nigeria – to the PDP when the AD oligarchy unexpectedly and unjustly canceled the primaries he and several other candidates had registered for. The transition of Mimiko to the PDP significantly contributed to the total failure of the incumbent AD government at the general elections then.

For his efforts he was made the SSG with the understanding that present PDP incumbent governor, Dr Agagu, would serve just one term. Agagu in fact made that announcement during one of his campaign runs. But in less than four years in power, Agagu had a change of mind: He opted for a second term, and started implementing measures to checkmate Mimiko as the SSG and frustrate his ambition by stripping him of his core duties and responsibilities. It’s on record that Agagu prevented Mimiko from being nominated as a Minister when the opportunity came, not once, but at least thrice. Somehow, Mimiko found a way to get nominated without the backing of his boss, and his brilliance and charisma was so apparent that he got approved by the National assembly within minutes. As the former Housing Minister, his records are public and verifiable: Within two years, he effected major changes and executed impressively.

Unexpected: The President Shot Himself in the Foot!
Sometime, doing the unexpected may yield unexpected results. All of a sudden and according to information best known to the Nigerian president, Mr Obasanjo: Mimiko is corrupt! Mimiko is a liar!! Mimiko will be investigated by EFCC!!! This information was disclosed during a PDP political rally addressed by Mr. President. In attendance was the incumbent PDP governor (Agagu) – on behalf of whom the president has made this proclamation. How unpresidential!

What happened after the president’s statement was unexpected, particularly to those in the PDP camp. There was an unprecedented uproar and public outcry against the president. The effect reverberated throughout Ondo state and the nation. The EFCC boss in order to avoid being seen as Obasanjo’s attack dog, had to speak against his boss: EFCC has no case against Mimiko. In what is a clear agenda aimed at scoring a cheap political advantage, the president not only shot himself in the foot, but Agagu the incumbent and Mimiko’s opponent as well. Doing the unexpected did in fact yield the unexpected! Mimiko is now enjoying positive media publicity one would have thought impossible given his circumstances, his has won more respect from far and near, and his camp has grown exponentially since Obasanjo’s blunder.

The Masses Will React
In closing, there is one fact the candidacy of Mimiko has proven: The masses react positively to ambitious political candidates that exhibit grassroots connection, charisma, and purposeful leadership. The unexpected circumstances surrounding Mimiko’s candidacy now seem to have created a base of fanatical followers in Ondo state as well as a diverse pool of admirers and well-wishers in Nigeria and abroad. Can the “Mimiko-phenomenon” be replicated elsewhere in Nigeria? Why not! In fact, if democracy is to become meaningful in Nigeria, this is a phenomenon other candidates and political aspirants must study.

MimikoforGovernor.com