The former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala has said that loyalty and giving back to the people are the ways politicians can remain eternally relevant.
The former governor also expressed that any politician who fails to give total loyalty to his or her benefactor after leveraging on his goodwill and opportunity to acquire position should expect to meet what he called ‘Waterloo’.
Otunba Akala disclosed this during a Thanksgiving programme organized by Hon. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji held at Masifa Baptist Church, Ogbomoso on Sunday.
At the event which had political gladiators in Ogbomoso politics including Senator Ayoade Adeseun, Senator Fatai Bubari, Senator Brimo Yusuf and Dr. Samson Adegoke in attendance, Akala pointed out that total loyalty by politicians to their mentors and ability to add value to the lives of the people who elected them into office are the two factors that can earn them good name in politics.
Former governor Akala revealed that he has been mentoring politicians to represent at various constituencies both state and federal levels without expecting anything in return or collecting money from them before they are nominated to contest since 2003.
According to the former governor, “loyalty pays, whoever has helped you to be wherever you want in life should not be forgotten. Failure to abide by that simple principle of being loyal to your mentor, your benefactor, you will just be cursing yourself, there is no way you will not pay dearly for it.”
While speaking about state of governance in Oyo State, former governor Akala stated that the journey of four years cannot be judged in four months, saying that he has been there and knows how thing works.
He appreciated Hon. Oladeji, while describing her as one of his mentees that can be relied on at any point in time.
In her message to the people of Ogbomoso North state constituency, Oladeji, who is the only female lawmaker in the Oyo State House of Assembly, assured the people to look forward to more impactful motions and bills to drive the progress of the people and state at large.
She explained that despite the fact that she is the only female and the only representative of African Democratic Party (ADP) in the state Assembly, she is receiving adequate support from all other members from other parties.
Oladeji attributed the support from the lawmakers to the love and unity that is reigning in the state legislative arm of government. She gave commendation to the former state governor, Christopher Akala for always being loyal whenever his attention is needed.
The presiding pastor of Masifa Baptist Church, Rev (Dr.) Idowu Adetola identified four categories of people that the people, particularly politicians should be grateful to.
Also in attendance at the event were traditional rulers led by Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran, and members of the Oyo State House of Assembly led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
