By Jimi Agbaje: Three times smitten!
One of the songs composed by women supporters of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Independent Campaign Group depicts the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Jimi Agbaje as a serial contender who is known to not be a serious fellow, but how true is this?
Must read: It’s official! Babajide Sanwo-Olu defeats Jimi Agbaje in landslide victory
For the third time, pharmacist turned politician, Jimi Kayode Agbaje has been defeated in his quest to govern Nigeria’s most populous state, Lagos.
Jimi first appeared on the scene in 2007 after his eloquence and unique campaign style endeared him to many. At the time, he was running against heavyweights like the then immediate past Deputy-Governor; Femi Pedro, Governor Tinubu’s Chief of Staff; Babatunde Fashola and a serving Senator, Musiliu Obanikoro. Jimi Agbaje was no doubt the underdog who however quickly changed the narratives after a major governorship debate where many perceived him to have performed the best.
Also read: PDP’s Jimi Agbaje Congratulates Sanwo-Olu As INEC Announces Official Announcement
The debate however couldn’t save him as he was only able to garner enough votes to place him third behind Fashola of the AC and Obanikoro of the PDP.
Following the 2007 elections, Jimi Agbaje went on a self imposed political hiatus and didn’t return until 2015. This time around, he was able to wrestle power with the big boys which saw him emerged as the candidate of the PDP. The narratives which came out from the primaries were however not too palatable but this did less to affect Mr. Agbaje’s run at the polls. From indications, the 2015 elections can be recorded as Jimi Agbaje’s most successful run especially with support coming from the Federal government then led by former President Goodluck Jonathan. The pharmacist was quoted to have however vowed never to contest for the office again but that was short lived as he would return four years later even more determined.
It would also be recalled that Mr. Agbaje at some point between the 2015 general elections and now aspired to be the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party. That aspiration ended as another abortive mission.
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In 2015, Mr Jimi Agbaje returned but this time he had a ‘freedom’ mantra, a mission similar to the ‘otoge’ movement which has swept Kwara State off her feet and deposed the lusty godfather, Senate President Bukola Saraki. While ‘Otoge’ resounded on the streets of Ilorin to Offa, Jebba to Lafiagi, Omu-Aran, Oyun, Pategi etc, Agbaje’s ‘freedom’ call was only an imperceptible message found on campaign posters and on the timeline of some obviously paid social media influencers and ranters. Unlike in Kwara where the generality of the people wanted a stop to Saraki’s hegemony, the air around Lagos was different.
Agbaje’s biggest undoing in the run to the 2019 election was not having a clear cut agenda on how he would better the system. The ruling party had shot itself in the groin by admitting outgoing governor, Akinwunmi Ambode performed below par, all JK needed to do was formulate and propagate solutions to all Ambode’s mistake. Instead, he also went political acting like he was only a paid agent brought in to fight Ambode’s cause against his godfather.
Read: “Stop Blackmailing Tinubu”- Idris Aregbe Fires Back at Jimi Agbaje
The truth about Lagos is that Tinubu has grown beyond being a mere godfather who just calls the shot, the man has become an enigmatic personality who resides his powers in the people. That was what Saraki failed to do in Kwara.
To overthrow Tinubu, whoever wants to attempt it must get hold of the powers from the source, the people. It means the person must economically build a viable empowerment structure which will see ‘real’ supporters emerge in Alimosho, Mushin, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Epe, Badagry etc. However, Tinubu’s leadership is not the topic of discourse in this piece.
One of Jimi Agbaje’s greatest undoing once again like in 2015 was fanning the embers of ethnic discord. Playing the ethnic card and using the good people of the east against their hosts in Lagos was perhaps the most unprogressive thing to do, let’s hope JK has learnt.
Again, for the third time, Lagosians have rejected the candidacy of Jimi Agbaje who by the way won in several ways by placing a congratulatory call to the man who defeated him, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a fine gentleman who appears to know what he talks about.
What is next for the eloquent pharmacist cum politician, Jimi Agbaje?
