SDP IS THE THIRD FORCE; REPS CANDIDATE ROTIMI JOHNSON ON CHANNELS TV

“SDP is a third force. Labour Party because of Peter Obi is beginning to gather momentum but I don’t know how far they can go with that but if you are talking about a political party with structure all over Nigeria, that is the SDP,” said Johnson, the acting Publicity Secretary of SDP in Oyo State and a 2023 House of Representatives candidate of the party also from Oyo.

“SDP is a third force. Labour Party because of Peter Obi is beginning to gather momentum but I don’t know how far they can go with that but if you are talking about a political party with structure all over Nigeria, that is the SDP,” said Johnson, the acting Publicity Secretary of SDP in Oyo State and a 2023 House of Representatives candidate of the party also from Oyo.

Responding immediately to the comment, Obi’s ally, Ahanotu said, “2023 election is going to shock a lot of people because the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and the electronic transmission of results have made it difficult for anybody to rig elections…2023 election is credibility election.”

Whilst Atiku again secured PDP presidential ticket for the 2023 elections, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, clinched the APC ticket. Similarly, the Labour Party fielded ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as its presidential flagbearer whilst the SDP presented Adewole Adebayo as its candidate.

Asked why the SDP and other political parties yet to harvest votes in millions bother to field presidential candidates, Johnson said, “I’ve failed exams before and I didn’t stop or say I will not attempt again. It’s the Nigerian project and we can’t afford to leave it to them. We have discovered that the APC and the PDP have been doing leadership or rulership exchange programme…there is a need for a third force or even a fourth force; we need to contend and rescue Nigeria from these people – we can’t fold our arms.

“SDP is a third force. Labour Party because of Peter Obi is beginning to gather momentum but I don’t know how far they can go with that but if you are talking about a political party with structure all over Nigeria, that is the SDP,” said Johnson, the acting Publicity Secretary of SDP in Oyo State and a 2023 House of Representatives candidate of the party also from Oyo.

Responding immediately to the comment, Obi’s ally, Ahanotu said, “2023 election is going to shock a lot of people because the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and the electronic transmission of results have made it difficult for anybody to rig elections…2023 election is credibility election.”

Whilst Atiku again secured PDP presidential ticket for the 2023 elections, former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, clinched the APC ticket. Similarly, the Labour Party fielded ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as its presidential flagbearer whilst the SDP presented Adewole Adebayo as its candidate.

Asked why the SDP and other political parties yet to harvest votes in millions bother to field presidential candidates, Johnson said, “I’ve failed exams before and I didn’t stop or say I will not attempt again. It’s the Nigerian project and we can’t afford to leave it to them. We have discovered that the APC and the PDP have been doing leadership or rulership exchange programme…there is a need for a third force or even a fourth force; we need to contend and rescue Nigeria from these people – we can’t fold our arms.

“SDP is better positioned in terms of what we are bringing to the table and the candidate leading us to the election as the captain. I believe we are better positioned to rescue Nigeria.

“I’ve had the opportunity to listen to Peter Obi many times; he is a man that is marketing himself, not even the Labour Party. He is talking about character; he is talking about integrity; Yes, I agree with him on those points but I don’t believe that the party as an organ is well-positioned to rescue this country because it is not a one-man show; you need a formidable team to work with you.

“Yes, as much as I like him (Obi) because he is talking about solutions the same way my candidate is talking about solutions, it goes beyond a one-man show and that is why Nigerians must look beyond the noise and focus on character.”

Commenting, the Labour Party’s Deputy National Secretary said, “I don’t agree with him and I don’t understand what he means by Labour Party being all about noise. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the young generation wants to participate in the governance process and this has been lacking.

“About my candidate and about structure, Labour Party has national officers, state officers, local government officers, ward officers, and even polling unit officers.”

Source: Channels website

“SDP is better positioned in terms of what we are bringing to the table and the candidate leading us to the election as the captain. I believe we are better positioned to rescue Nigeria.

“I’ve had the opportunity to listen to Peter Obi many times; he is a man that is marketing himself, not even the Labour Party. He is talking about character; he is talking about integrity; Yes, I agree with him on those points but I don’t believe that the party as an organ is well-positioned to rescue this country because it is not a one-man show; you need a formidable team to work with you.

“Yes, as much as I like him (Obi) because he is talking about solutions the same way my candidate is talking about solutions, it goes beyond a one-man show and that is why Nigerians must look beyond the noise and focus on character.”

Commenting, the Labour Party’s Deputy National Secretary said, “I don’t agree with him and I don’t understand what he means by Labour Party being all about noise. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the young generation wants to participate in the governance process and this has been lacking.

“About my candidate and about structure, Labour Party has national officers, state officers, local government officers, ward officers, and even polling unit officers.”

Source: Channels Television website

LOVEJOY EXITS TOO SOON. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

There are people in our lives we cherish and imagine how we would all remain friends till old age and continue with the jokes and teasing, even when our grandchildren are around but then...

I couldn't sleep and kept sighing since I heard of your demise dear Lovejoy. I don't know if what I am writing is coherent and comprehensible but I have chosen to write in honor of a Lady I could introduce to anyone as my very good friend without fear of misconception or unhealthy jokes. 

Lovejoy was an office colleague who became a friend for over two decades now; she was simple, very hardworking, optimistic and very loving. Those days at Equity Indemnity insurance Company at Broken House, Dugbe in the early 90s, I would disturb her on why one person can bear such compound words as name; it's unfair, it's Oliver twist Spirit bla bla and we would all laugh because she would just ask me to go and change my name or go ask her parents. Then she got married to Gbenga Onibon-Oje and my disturbance was how can her new name be toy-gun; Lovejoy Onibon-shakara was how I used to hail her those days. She was there at every important phase of my life and among the very few that knew my wife before we got married, such that they call each other by first name. 

There was a time we lost contacts because she left Life Insurance marketing not long after wedding. Then when I started work at Standard Alliance Insurance Company, at Bolumole Challenge Ibadan, I ran into my Onibon-shakara friend again because she had office at the Dammy-Plaza.

We've remained close since then and would even meet Broda Gbenga sometimes (her Husband) when my visit coincides with when he comes to pick her or drop something. We would just tease and encourage each other; she was a very pleasant and very encouraging person you would love around you..

In very early 2019, our Lovejoy's sparkle went dim when the love of her life died; we tried to cheer her out of the sorrow but the radiance and bright countenance couldn't return. I knew she was just trying to push through and the deep love of her daughter wasn't enough to keep the good fight. Despite the heaviness, she would still try to attend to the NIPR matters and meet up with business and social responsibilities; she took care of my campaign fundraising in 2018 and 50th birthday in February 2021 decorations because since I knew that's her business, she became my events decorator but would always give magnanimous discounts.

It was when I got to Oyo town, on our way from Ogbomoso yesterday that I checked my Facebook and the first thing I saw was the post by Edris Olawoyin, announcing your demise. I was shocked and confused but still had to speak with Edris our professional colleague and her elder Sister to be sure Lovejoy left us suddenly.

Lovejoy was the kind that would give excuses on someone's behalf and overlook mistakes or shortcomings easily, she was amazing and a friend indeed. I took solace in knowing you died in your sleep peacefully, not after becoming such burden and liability to your loved ones because I know you hated to have to bother anyone, though you wouldn't mind to be bothered by friends.

Saying we would miss you greatly is an understatement and if we feel like this, I wonder what your amiable daughter would be going through now. 

LOVEJOY WAS A TRULY JOLLY GOOD FELLOW.

Adieu my dear friend.

WHY 2023 SHOULD BE ABOUT PERSONALITIES AND NOT PARTIES. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope.

With 185 days to the general elections, candidates and political parties preparing for the campaigns; the electorate must toll a new path if we are to arrive at a different destination this time. The effects of bandwagon must be completely neutralized with enlightened participations which can only be brought in by the educated who hitherto showed apathy for election.

I cannot overemphasize or over appreciate the INEC for the superb technology of the BVAS device for the general elections. The device and procedure have eliminated the common hitches during the election and those associated with compilations and transmission of the results. Yes, this is a giant leap and worthy of all commendations.

The ball is now fully in the field of the Nigerian electorate; we must do the needful and rescue our fatherland from the empire wreckers and the vagabonds, those who disguise as servant leaders but are actually emperors and lord of the manors; the goats and foxes parading themselves as Sheep for the purpose of electoral victory.

If the largest majority of the voters in any election are the illiterates and the unenlightened members of the masses, then the voting outcome will reflect their orientations and priorities but sadly, the patriotic elites will only lament and analyse the damages of the electoral outcomes and the whole nation will suffer from the maladministration and rulership rascality.

In 2023, we must look beyond the political parties and x-ray the characters of the various candidates, their profiles and consistency in the community, if possible to know who have best intentions for the people, not those who become sudden philanthropists and start NGO because of election. Just blindly voting for anyone presented by the party because we love or believe in the Principal figure must be jettisoned in 2023; let every candidate bear his or her father's name and be rewarded accordingly. Those days of electoral tsunami bringing in not too good candidates just because it was same day election should be gone. 

The educated elites must rescue Nigeria in the 2023 elections because they are the ones who can differentiate between ballot papers and refuse any kind of inducements to vote for any candidate. They should stop the apathy and show full participation in the process. The patriotic elites are the ones who can make informed decisions and live above the premodal sentiments so that we can hire the best servants to start the fixing of Nigeria, not those who will collect the baton and accelerate in the opposite direction. 

As the 2023 election approaches, I have seen foxes in political parties who have positioned themselves strategically to benefit from the so called tsunami or bandwagon effects because they assume 2023 election will still follow the usual pattern of "vote same party for all the ballot papers". If that happens, the goats will again outnumber the Sheep and the suffering will only wear new costume rather than ending. 

This is a challenge for all Nigerians and particularly the informed, patriotic Nigerians who must take the lead and usher us into a better Nigeria through electoral revolution in 2023.

LEADERSHIP QUOTE: "Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it".

-Mark Twain

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

Reps Candidate, Ibadan NW/SW 

Federal Constituency. 

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? TRIBUTE TO DR. AYOBAMI OWOLABI. By Hon Ojasope

On a beautiful cold morning like this, I can't think of a better way to celebrate my Career Mentor, Dr Ayobami Owolabi, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lead City University Ibadan and the President of the Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management than to write something brief on Mentoring. Dr Owolabi is multi talented public speaker, instrumentalist, an academic and astute administrator.

Before I approached him to be my academic career Mentor, I used to just admire his dress sense and taste for quality decent dresses when we meet in Church. It was December 31st Crossover service and the greatest of my prayer burden was how to further my academic career in the new year because I have not added to my certifications since 1996 as at then. I wanted career in Public Relations but I didn't know how to link the dots between my purely science background and my desire for career in Public Relations or humanities, even though I was already practicing as a Public Relations consultant with my postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration. At the RCCG Jesus Temple that early hour of the New Year, the Pastor in Charge asked us to come to the Altar, pray and make our request to God before leaving the auditorium. I obeyed and as I prayed, as if saying (ma soroju) don't say much, I know your burden already. I heard look at the man ahead of you, talk to him about your Career. We were both Ministers in the Church but I ran after him as he rose to leave. So I booked appointment to talk to him briefly after service on Sunday which was just a day or two away. The rest is history and just because I talked to the right person about my career desire, I got insights and better opportunities to proceed and get fulfillments.

I have seen an error in my generation and that is the gross abuse of the word Mentor; people call their benefactors their Mentor. Your benefactor may not be your Mentor but your Mentor is definitely your benefactor. A benefactor is a person who gives money or other help to a person or cause. While a Mentor's role is to share with a mentee (or protege) is provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling. A mentor may help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources, which are all intangible and can translate to tangible things compared to the benefactor which are predominantly tangible material or acquisitions. So someone with whom you benefit immeasurably may not impact you mentally or intellectually at all but your good Mentor would invariably be your major benefactor too. So, just because I give you a job in a factor, even if that has always been your dream job, that doesn't make me your Mentor unless I played major role in helping you identify that's the best job for you; what the Mentor does is more about transforming the inner you; capacity and capability than outward. However, I may help you identify the best job for you and how to qualify for it but may not be influential enough to secure the job for you even though I am your Mentor. 

Your Mentor may not know you but your benefactor may know you and have direct contact. Dr. J. C Maxwell, Dr Myles Munroe, Dr Mike Murdock and Dale Carnegie books are mentoring me in leadership and public speaking but they don't even know I exist or know which of their books have benefited. So we can mentor someone without knowing but the beneficiary and the benefactor often know each other. So, I would suggest you have a Mentor for each area of your life and not just say he or she is your Mentor without stating the areas so that the impact can be appraised.

I hope to have better opportunity to do more on this topic so but I celebrate Dr Ayobami Owolabi; this is one of the spiritual ways to keep the flow of grace and keep benefiting from the fountain that has blessed one. I must honor and celebrate me Mentor; I pray for more blessings, greater grace and impacts for many more decades in Jesus name. 

Congratulations to Daddy Double Twins

WOMAN AS STATE PARTY LEADER; MULIKAT AKANDE-ADEOLA IS A TRAILBLAZER.

Women have difficulties in shining in partisan politics because of male chauvinism despite having more women in politics. The gender bias is strong but despite all the discriminations and subjections they go through, few still breakthrough all barriers and biases to write their names on the sand of time; women in the category of lates Iyalode Tinubu and Funmilayo Kuti who were only females biologically but men judging by the strength of their minds and prowess. 

I have been in politics for over 2 decades and I know how Party leaders sometimes do more to scatter the party they claim to be building through excessive favouritism, injustice and parochial sentiments but when I got close to Rt Hon Mulikat Akande Adeola, the former majority leader of the Federal House of Representatives, the Oyo North senatorial candidate of SDP and the state leader of the party, my perception about State party leadership started to change; I was in error of generalisation. Simply called Alhaja Mulikat or Leader by her followers and lovers, she has become a second mother to most and the go-to political figure to many, within and outside the party; she has extensive connections and interparty networks all over Nigeria.

While in PDP, I used to watch her from far and spoke with her just once on phone during the preparations for the 2019 general elections; I was just indifferent about her leadership because she is not from my senatorial district and no basis for closer political interactions. However, since I joined SDP and as member of the State Executives, I have been privileged to sit in formal and informal meetings with her; to claim I am impressed with her sincerity, outspokenness and proactive leadership style is an understatement, she is simply a phenomenal and quintessential Leader.

I know it is very uncommon to have women as the State party leader in Nigeria, irrespective of their brilliance, articulation and political profile; we men just assume they will be too emotional and sentimental in leadership, which we believe are inimical to party growth. However, there are few women who have the depth and strength required to lead at any capacity. Getting close to Alhaja Mulikat these few months has made me see she belongs to the class of Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Late Prof Dora Akunyili and Dr Obi Ezekwesili; women the are 3-men (Okunrin meta) like we describe heroic men in Yoruba land, women who are virtuous wives and combine the motherly responsibilities very well with the public ones.

I have strong bias for leadership in my perspectives and analyses and I make bold to say Rt Hon Mulikat Akande Adeola is a great asset to SDP or any party she belongs to, to Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. Ordinarily, such principled women find it very difficult to carve a niche for themselves in partisan politics, particularly if they have to contest for an election but in all sincerity, Alhaja Mulikat has carved the niche, she is a political trailblazer and she is doing very well.

Today is not her birthday o; I just love to celebrate exceptional leaders when I discover such because leadership is the bane of our governance in Nigeria. Though we landed in SDP separately but I am grateful to God my political path crossed that of this great woman. So, if Alhaja Mulikat's ears are trickling, she should know it's Ojasope that is talking and bragging about her.

Alhaja Mulikat, Oyo North senatorial district people are blessed to have someone with such loving heart, foresight and experience to deliver unprecedented dividends of democracy.

Alhaja Mulikat, Omo Jokodolu L'ogbomoso, victory beckons and generations to come shall call you blessed because you're truly a blessing. 

Hon Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

Candidate for Reps, Ibadan Northwest/Southwest Constituency