Rally ban: But why is Ilorin this silent?
The political atmosphere in the “State of Harmony” is fast losing it’s relevance and deviating from what it used to be. Ordinarily, the last five consecutives election held since democracy returned to the country sees Ilorin being the centre of all political brouhaha in state. Ranging from money splash, to distribution of foodstuffs and other items with inscription of different political slogans and logos. Rally holds almost everyday with “campaign trains” at different places within the central district. However, what has changed in just about 4years? Why is Ilorin, the heartbeat of Kwara this silent admist growing tense across the nation over “fate(s)” in the forthcoming general election.
However, looking at it from the recent past, campaign rallies tops
other political activities in the state and mostly Ilorin metropolis. The Ótógé team held rallies across the major streets of Ilorin, which however leads to a very serious combat with their Òtunyà counterparts.
It was the physical confrontation, according to a report by THE INFORMANT247, that lead to the alledged death of a party loyalist with several other casualities including the vandalisation of about 30 vehicles.
In what’s seen by most political gladiator as an obvious retaliation, the APC loyalist as well alledgedly invaded the countryhome of the Senate President and leader of the PDP at Agbaji quarters. This unfortunately saw to the vandalisation of over 50 vehicles while about 30 people were reportedly injured.
Mayhap, the governor sensed a repeat of the 2003 senario between the late Saraki and then Incumbent governor, Lawal, he summoned a security meeting after which he held a press conference to place ban on political rallies and processions in the state.
No sooner the governor announced the ban than the opposition in the state kicked against it alledging the governor of being intimidated by the growing popularity of the APC in the state.
Referencing the widely acceptability of the “Ó tó gé” slogan, some opposition bigwigs also assert that the governor is protecting the interest of the dynasty which he belonged to with the ban on the political rallies and procession which automatically is seen as putting a stop the widely acclamation of the opposition including the Door-to-Door campaign which is considered to be one of the most pivotal part of the electioneering proccess for any serious party.
Accepted or not, the governor’s decision stands, no rally was held within Ilorin metropolis again, the district remain as quiet, deviod of any political activities, as the grave. The “political animals” looked for somewhere else to feed leaving the most greener pasture untouched. The herdsman has spoken, the cattles no matter how disgrunted must obey the decision.
After the whistle has been blown and the “stop button” pressed hard, both team saw a need to adopt a new mechanism. With the ground no longer safe for combat, they went on air; newspaper, social media, radio and television now turned to another pitch for display of strength. Will there still be a ban? No one can say.
Consequently, no longer in goodstead, the North and South took it place, campaign rallies and door to door campaign becomes more rampant, leaving the Central, which has 60percent of the state population out of it. When will Ilorin take it place, why is it this silent? Only a good player and spectator would understand the tune of the pitch.