No Politics On Akande’s Day

Last Saturday, an agrarian community in Osun State was throbbing with dignitaries who converged on the ancient town for the 70th birthday of the National Chairman of the Action Congress (AC), Chief Abdulkareenm Adebisi Akande, writes Deputy Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu.

NEVER in its history has the ancima lla, in the heart of lgbomina in Osun State Sate, played host to such a huge crowd from sunrise to sunset last Saturday, there was no dull moment as political heavyweights converged on the agrarian community for the 70th birthday of the National Chairman of the Action Congress (ACN) Chief Bisi Akande.

It was an epoch-making moment; Progressives nationwide accorded Chief Bisi Akande, the Asiwaju of Ila and Action Congress leader, the unusual honour given to his leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he clocked 70.

There was an unprecedented traffic in the ancient community where the Orangun, a descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race is the custodian Local drummers did not disappoint the crowd. They trooped out in a large number to commercialise the birthday ceremony, with many smiling home, having got so much money.

Guest appeared in a customised Ankara fabrics made for the ceremony.

The congregation of Action Congress (AC) faithful from 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory temporarily located the party’s national headquarters.

Akande’s political life begins in his native town. In the pre-independence era and folowing Independence, Ila people  were ardent followers of Zik’s NCNC and later, Samuel Akintola’s NNDP. They avoided Awo like a plague.

But the onus fell on Abdulkareem Adebisi Akande to bing back the community to the progressive fold in 1979 when they embraced the UPN. Since then, they have not looked back.

Decked in a conservative white lace, the preditable sign of a spartan life and disdain for materialism and private accumulation, Akande, who was accompanied by his wife of over 40 years, Sikirat, was all smiles.

The tributes and messages  of goodwill pouring in for him were life prolonging. The former governor of osun state arrived to the cheering crowd exuding the joy of long life.

Political differences literally collapsed momentarily as former Lags State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola exchanged greeting and cracked jokes. The crowd hailed the show of understanding.  An excited Ila elder muttered “No politics today. They are here as well-wishers and children of Oduduwa”

The mood however, suggested otherwise. Ila is a stronghold of the AC the party contesting the mandate of Oyinlola, who was accompanied to the ceremony by the Deputy Governor, Erelu Olusola Obada and other aides.

The cynosure of all eyes was the Oranmiyan symbol, Ijesa-born AC governorship candidate Alhaji Abdulrauf Adesiji Aregbesola an engineer.

When he rode into the open space on which canopies were erected, the whole environment was electrified instantly. Akande’s birthday became a political carnival.

There was wild jubilation, Aregbesola holding the symbolic broom received a wild applause.

The “progressive musician”, Alhaji Ayinde Wasiu Anifowose, was on the band-stand to add glamour to the event praising Aregbesola to high heaven, the Oranmiyan forces took to the floor, celebrating his imminence victory.

When Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole stormed the venue, local folks rushed to catch a glimpse of the man who fought the dark forces in his state with resilient.

Only the birthday of a great man like Akande could bring Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to Igbominaland, to give honour to whom honour is due.

A man of excellent gait and commanding presence, Fashola, the megacity curator, stretched out his long arms as if be wanted to embrace the crowd at once.

In the mood of joy were notable politicians who believed that Akande was a model.  The guest list said it all.

On it were erstwhile Kwara State governor Cornelius Adebayo, his Ogun State counterpart, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former Oyo State Governor Aihaji Lam Adesina; the Lagos West AC leader, Cardinal James odumbaku; Afenifere leader, Mr. Jimi Agbaje. political scholar and AC governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Ogun East Action Congress senatorial candidate, Mr Wale Oshun, the Oługbon of Lagos, Chief Tony Adefuye, Hon Tunde Balogun, former Lagos commissioner Tunji Bello and Leke Pitan, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, Hon Enoch Ajiboye, Hon Yakubu Balogun, Mr Dele Alake. Mr Yinka Odumakin, Mr Abiodun Mate and Hon Kayode Opeifa.

What also constantly resonate during the wining and dining was the remark of Fayemi at the symposium that preceded the reception.

Haling Akande for leading a life of principle and dedication, he said the septuagenarian from Ila “is a political Bible recommended to Nigeria for a quick salvation of the polity.”

Emmanuel Oladesu

The Nation Newspaper – January 23, 2009