OMITUNTUN INITIATIVE AND THE TIMELY POLITICAL BRANDING

OmiTitun or Omi Tuntun in Yoruba is translated as freshwater and and can be described as new approach, fresh platform or new invention. When this name hit the public sometimes in 2013 with the posters, many scorners challenged us online, they felt there can never be new approach, politics can not be redefined and the name is intended to scam the ignorant electorates. I am happy that it was formally presented to the public on the 29th of March, 2014 and since then, no one has been able to JUSTIFIABLE doubt the Initiator and Leader's sincerity in living up to the true meaning of the concept. OmiTitun is rightly and timely birthed to chart a new way of:

SINCERE PUBLIC WARFARE:
The convener of OmiTitun Organization is an unrepentant welfarist and philanthropist. In the last 4 years, OmiTitun stands for infrastructural succour to communities, helpline to organisations and supports to individuals within Oyo state especially. I have traveled with this organization and the leader all over Oyo state and I can't stop been amazed by his commitment to this vision. Those who claimed it's political have been largely silenced by the consistency and non partisanship outreach. He has continued to demonstrate this gesture, in and out of election seasons. I tell political scorners that they should just tell their leaders to challenge mine to public welfare because that way, poverty will reduce and infrastructures will improve; that is, if most rich politicians so this, Nigeria will be better for it.

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND PEACE:
This OmiTitun organization is now known for peaceful approaches to dispute resolution, negotiations instead of aggression and teamwork instead of playing to the gallery. Without mincing words, not that there are no defining moments and challenges to threaten this position but the strength of character often prevailed. We have had to run away from rallies because our leader believes resisting attacks will lead to more casualties; every bonafide member of the OmiTitun organization knows our leader doesn't tolerate any form of violence or public aggression in any form. That forces us all to avoid inflammatory comments and verbal aggression that can lead to violence. I am happy when people use such words as "and you call yourself OmiTitun member" on social media to sarcastically attack some of my colleagues; I see it that there's an expectation from the public from anyone that belongs to the camp.

THE RECENT PUBLIC INTERACTIVE SESSION IN OYO STATE PDP:
The path taken by the leader of the OmiTitun Organization and the governorship hopeful of the PDP in 2019 has consistently maintained a peaceful stance on the issue (not crisis anymore); at every opportunity, he instructs that no one should attack another, no one should insult or disrespect any leader irrespective of the provocations. Gathering all the party executives from all over the state to interact and reassure them on the need for amicable resolution and no-faction stand was truly very assuring and comforting because the despair among the grassroot members was taken care of, the hope of successful takeover in 2019 was rejuvenated and the vision of team work was rebirthed at the public interaction. Leading in the face of challenges is one principal way of adjudging the quality of leadership. Those who follow the cheap path of aggression, verbal vituperation and nonchalance have seen that things are changing and the standard of leadership within the party has risen.

Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde is not just aspiring to be the next governor of Oyo State, he is teaching us how public leadership should be done in this clime. Those era of rulers with careless talks, personal aggrandizement instead of public welfare, celebrating mediocrity instead of challenging self to continuous improvements and focusing on excuses instead of taking responsibilities have seen that the tides have changed. Those days when the most violent camp takes the leadership within the party are fast gone for ever; we are in the era of intellectual engagements, pragmatic executions and displayed of strength of character are now the order of the day. Four years down the line, Engr Makinde has been living up to the concept of OmiTitun and congratulations to the patriotic people of Oyo State because this can't come at a better time in our polity.

Quote: "In organization where positive values are not communicated, repeated, or demonstrated by the leaders, negative values can develop among the members as a means of personal survival and/or advancement"  By Dr. Myles Munroe.

Thank you.

Adeniyi Rotimi Johnson (Ojasope).

OYO PDP AND THE GAME OF POWER. By Ojasope

OYO PDP AND THE GAME OF POWER:
I refrained from commenting on this current crisis because I believe it will pass and we will evolve stronger and better but many people keep asking me, they want my opinion on the matter. I don't like to be seen as aggravating issues and at the same time, I have the responsibility of pacifying and encouraging the followers that are under my direct influence. Therefore, these are my candid positions:

1. There is nothing like Ladoja versus Seyi Makinde; that was an unsuccessful attempt to portray my leader as confrontational and disrespectful, which are entirely far from the truth.

2. When asked which camp is having a upper hand, I ask which camp is throwing tantrum and issuing threats? The fact that there are threats, divisive and destructive comments from a camp suggest they are not favoured in the struggle, they are not happy; it's understandable.

3. Why are you quiet and calm in your camp? Since the Yoruba adage says "two people can't suffer loss of lies together", then it is a matter of time, the truth shall be revealed and we shall see matter clearer.

4. That Seyi Makinde bought the harmonised list. I laugh. If he can buy any list, why couldn't he buy it prior to 2015 elections? That's the reasoning of mischief makers, they soon forget that goodwill get things done better than money. Both Markafi led caretaker committee and the substantive executives believe harmonisation is the way forward for Oyo State PDP, just as one of the disputing camps. 

5.  That harmonisation "suddenly sprung" up now is another fallacy. Both our revered High Chief Ladoja, Engr Seyi Makinde (my Leader) and few other stakeholders have held many meetings in Abuja and Ibadan to resolve the impasse but unsuccessful; so our camp never accepted the full Executive as constituted before harmonisation but we decided not to make the struggle on pages of newspapers and social media. We believe that will cause more damage.

6. Harmonisation is not new to Oyo PDP and it is not impunity. I don't need to say more than that.

7. Our chances in 2019 can be effected truly if this continues but we will not allow it. "Onilu oni fe kotu". We need to learn to disagree to agree.

8. That Seyi Makinde camp believe that we can do it alone. If we believe we can do it alone, why leave SDP and expend so much time on reconciliation and amalgamation in PDP? Why all the seemingly ceaseless meetings and sacrifices. Simply stated, if we can do it alone, we would not bother leaving SDP.

9. What Seyi Makinde stands for: without mincing words or being hypocritical, Engr Seyi Makinde is humble and forthright; respects his elders and if he wants to do otherwise, why would he chose to begin with someone of High Chief Ladoja status; an Oba-in-waiting, a politician of no mean status, an international businessman and the person who midwifed his partisanship in 2002 when he started supporting the Ladoja campaign?

10. About those making nasty comments about Engr Seyi Makinde and other leaders in my camp, they are not making contributions, they are only identifying themselves, showing who they are and what they are made up. Seyi Makinde says Ladoja is his father and that he can never disrespect him. Chief Ladoja says Seyi Makinde is his son and others too are his followers; so why descend so low by using derogatory words and become so saucy?

11. Personally, I never saw myself other than Ladoja person too, irrespective of the camp I am playing from; I can't disrespect him or anyone in his camp. Also, if my direct leader sees him as Leader, then he is my grand leader, full stop. I may wish he does few things differently, it doesn't change the fact that he is the overall leader of the party. I am a member of that family, that's for those who know my political antecedents. Let me roundup by quoting Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN; "May our loyalty never be tested" because  if truly tested, many of these self-acclaimed supporters of Baba Ladoja might be found wanting. Many godfathers have helped their stooges to power, only to receive the shocks of their lives; don't look far, one helped his son and the rest is story. So, like the Yorubas say, only God knows the child that will treat you well in old age.

12. Finally, the 2002 PDP crisis was hotter than this and the situation was more precarious, we bounced back and defeated the incumbent; I have no doubt that we will repeat the same now. Politics is all about interests, when interests are well protected, it is always a different ballgame.

Returning power to the people will always come at a cost but are we really willing to pay the cost and cause the electorate to sigh for relief in 2019? That's the puzzle, calling for the attention of the discerning minds.

Thanks.

Rotimi Johnson (OJASOPE).