The SPN's bid to produce the first socialist governor in the history of Nigeria has continued to make some impact on political consciousness in Osun State and in Nigeria's election's history. The campaign engagements on Friday, 31st August 2018, reinforces this point.
The campaign was at Ile-Ife, Osun State, where the Alfred Adegoke, SPN’s candidate, and other members of the SPN engaged members of the public in conversations on the real issues facing households and small businesses, and how political leadership has aggravated people's plight in the past. We handed to artisans, students, and transporters copies of our manifestoe, which would further equip them with more details of the radical changes our party envisions for the good people of Osun.
The lack of faith in the political system could also be felt from the atmosphere of this campaign. There were whispers of "Give us money!" "Owo ni o". Some even went as far as declaring flattering support that apparently was not grounded in conviction. Nigerians have passionately supported different shades of leadership, and they were each time pushed deeper into poverty and uncertainties. The bitter experience might explain the " grab-what-you-can-grab now" attitude by the electorate that pervades the nation's political landscape.
Alfred Adegoke, spoke to this issue, in furtherance of the aim of the SPN's campaign to challenge the debilitating ideas or practices that are rooted in bourgeois politics and democracy. Alfred told this section of the audience that he is not running for public office to enrich himself. "I am not running on a programme to loot public fund, or make profit from public office. That is why I have said my government would abolish the contract system that corrupt politicians use to siphon public money," he declared. He added that he was going to be on the same remuneration package with the lawyers in the Osun State Ministry of Justice, and end the 'legal' corruption of feeding politicians fat on the misery of the people.
He spoke to the issue of monetisation of election, with another attentive audience at Post Office, Ile Ife; he noted that he did not pay a dime to obtain the ticket of the SPN, and that his entire campaign is being funded by contributions from common people. We might not have the ability to know if these individuals were convinced, but it is clear as a fact that the campaign of the SPN is a contest against ideas and prejudices that have damaged the polity over time. Alfred Adegoke and the SPN are not only contesting against the other politicians and their antecedents of corruption; he is contesting against the idea that electoral choices are limited to a choice between the evil and the lesser evil.
Earlier in the day, at a 9am programme on Rave FM Osogbo, Alfred Adegoke was on air alongside another aspirant in the Osun 2018 governorship race. The discussion showed a deep contrast in programmes and ideas. While Alfred was reeling out figures that would be saved from ending the fraudulent contract system and big salaries for political office holders and made available for the economic growth of the state, the other aspirant on the programme rehashed what has become a cliché in this election – the mythical search for foreign investors. Alfred Adegoke quite insightfully remarked that "there are two parties in this election, SPN and the rest." As far as ideological and programmatic contest/campaign is concerned, SPN stands apart from the rest.
Campaign activities so far have been indeed great and spectacular for members of the SPN. We could see the impact of this lone voice of dissent almost immediately as not quite a few people promised active support for our campaign at Ile Ife especially. We also seize this medium to further invite volunteers who support our programmes and are determined to contribute some ounces of energy to changing politics for good in Osun State.
By Wole Olubanji
Organising Secretary, Alfred Adegoke Campaign Committee
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