ARONIPIN AND ILERIOLUWA ... OMISORE, THE SCRIPT WRITTEN BY GOD ...

By Abisola Ariwodola,

As the music by Goke Bajowa rents the air ‘Olorun koda bi eniyan, eniyan aronipin, eyan ko ba dabi Olorun, won ba pe kojo maro, won ba saye bo se fe, won ba dori aye kodo, won ba safefe dowo, won ba pe korun ma ran, agbara iba pawon bi oti, won ba koju ija s'Olorun, eniyan aronipin ema ku iya, e ku osi…. iwo ko lo da mi, iwo ko lobi mi, iwo ko lowo mi dagba, aronipin e ku iya, eyin ko l'Olorun, eyin ko l'Oluwa….. the mind wanders on the paths of the life of the newly sworn in Secretary of the flagship party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Otunba Iyiola Omisore.

Destiny they say can only be delayed but cannot be changed. A great man no matter how long he stays delayed, will surely become great if it is his destiny: this is part of the tales of Senator Iyiola Omisore who many thought had reached the end of the tunnel in his political career.

In the African set up, when people don’t believe in someone again, they reflect their decisions with actions, pity and side talks, hence they tag such person as one without hope or future, this set of unbelievers are called "Aronipin"   

The political history of the newest scribe of the All Progressives Congress started way back in the days of Alliance for Democracy (AD), until he became the Deputy Governor under the leadership of former Governor Adebisi Akande from 1999-2003, and then a life threatening incident happened at the period, when he was alleged to have a hand in the killing of Chief Bola Ige, a situation that led to his incarceration but he was later left off the hook by a competent court of law. 

Right from the prison he contested an election as a Senator representing Osun East constituency in April 2003 running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP and he served till the expiration of his term in 2007. He was reelected in 2007.

He ran for Governor of Osun State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and he lost the August 9, 2014 guber election to Rauf Aregbesola who was the then incumbent Governor. 

In the same Osun under the PDP where he tried to recontest for the state Governorship position, he was denied the ticket, hence his venture into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) where he contested again in 2018 and lost.

At that point, everyone felt he had lost the chance forever to become the Governor of Osun state. Aronipin counted so many reasons against him, that he had no more political value, alas, God has another script that no man could predict anything about him.

His actions as the SDP flag bearer in year 2018 crossed his path with that of Ilerioluwa, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, because that year, he was approached by the APC party for the support of his SDP, through election re-run which aided the incumbent Governor Oyetola into office, as the Governor whose acronym is Ilerioluwa emerged Osun governor, thereby winning against Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. 

After the 2018 election, he became a member of the APC and for sometime it looked like Senator Iyiola went into oblivion, people speculated that he had been used and dumped, because of some happenings in the party and the state at that period, tongues wagged that the All Progressive Party had discarded him, people pitied him.

As his path merged with IleriOluwa, he also met other destinies who are living on the promises of God, those who believed in him despite the assumption woven around him.

As human being, he might have thought of different things, and suddenly, Ilerioluwa reached out to him, Omisore gradually started appearing at government functions till he became a constant face in the political circle of the All Progressives Congress in the state and beyond, still people still talked that it is a farce, that he is being used because of the forthcoming election in the state. 

Political appointments were made in Osun state and Omisores’ name was not in any of it, thus the speculations continued that he's been dumped again.

Along the line, he got totally acquitted over the court case instituted against him, he became free of the allegation levied against him.

Ilerioluwa, Governor Isiaq Adegboyega Oyetola who believed totally in God, who is always reiterating that he was called and chosen by God for Osun state, maintained that the promises of God will not fail, he is known to always say that what God has destined will not go unfulfilled and that anyone who believe in God and his promises will witness the promises of God at work.

Ilerioluwa (the promise of God) just like flash during storm, became the flash of light for Senator Iyiola Christopher Omisore, after the emergence of Prince Gboyega Famodun as Osun All Progressives Party Congress Chairman, when the national body of the APC party declared the executives’ positions opened, his name came into open that he is contesting for the post of the National Secretary All Progressives Congress party.

This ambition looks tall and unachievable in the sight of many, again people talked, opposition labelled him, his personality was attacked, his past was dug up, terrible remarks from people who didn’t like him, and again people pitied him for the onslaught focused on him, some thought he was poached towards national disgrace.

Despite the negative narratives flying around Ilerioluwa remained adamant that his candidate is Senator Iyiola Omisore, some pointed out that the post of the National secretary is not a child’s play that Omisore doesn’t deserve it, but Governor Adegboyega Oyetola insisted on his choice. Even after his choice as candidate, people still tried to paint him black. 

The politicking and negotiations began over the choice of Iyiola Omisore as the APC National Secretary, Ilerioluwa moved and reached out to the Governors in Nigeria from the North to the South, the East and the West and consensus was reached on the National executives of the All Progressives Congress party, behold Senator Otunba Iyiola Omisore who many thought would be disgraced became the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress party, he was celebrated.    

Ilerioluwa became fulfilled in the life of Senator Iyiola Omisore, despite what Aronipin thought had happened to him: that his days in the political circle had ended, the National Secretary’s life was a script written by God Almighty, which he did not reveal to any human being, but he manifested it through Ilerioluwa.

One unique thing about Ilerioluwa (Gods promise) is that He never fails. This attribute is imbibed by Ilerioluwa bearer, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as he ensures that he fulfils every promise made to Osun people through his election manifesto and citizens needs assessment.

Ilerioluwa is a faith based word of God believed by Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists among others, that is why it is fascinating that it is fulfilled in the life of someone who many pitied and thought is politically laid off and just hanging around. 

The life of Senator Otunba Iyiola Omisore and his challenges shows that with God all things are possible, faith was at work, Ilerioluwa: Governor Adegboyega Oyetola proposed and God, the ultimate one, disposed and made the desire a reality, because when God is at work, no man can stop him.

People thought his political life had crumpled and ended, but God said otherwise, Aronipin never envisaged this script written by God that there is hope for Iyiola Omisore, all thanks to Ilerioluwa.

And so at the carnival like welcome gathering, where Omisore danced to the music of Gbenga Falope band, he somehow became emotional and couldn’t talk much at the welcome and congratulatory program arranged for him by the political gladiators in Osun, held at Freedom park in the heart of Osogbo, one can’t help but be amazed at the benevolence of God in his life.

Senator Iyiola Omisore used the podium to thank President Mohammadu Buhari, and all APC Governors and the delegates for the confidence reposed on him, as he works as the National secretary alongside Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the All Progressives Congress Party National Chairman.

According to him, ‘’My emergence as the new National Secretary of our party portends greatness, victory and all-round success for Osun in particular, and indeed, Nigeria, in general. 

"As you all know, our State is known for progressives, we are known for APC and we are overwhelmed today that we have this opportunity. I am honoured today and I urge our people to show appreciation by voting massively for our party in the next governorship election in the State and in the general election.

 "First and foremost, let's thank God for His mercy on us. He has been so merciful to us. I thank Mr. Governor for making today a reality. I accept your efforts that translated to what I am now. I thank Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our leader, for his support. I thank Chief Adebisi Akande for his support. I thank all the Governors, most importantly in the Southwest, and our party faithful in the Southwest in particular and Nigeria in general.

"The best way to reciprocate this is to vote massively in the next governorship election. We must do everything right from now to ensure that our party coasts to victory. As we can see, the Administration of Governor Oyetola has brought so many developmental strides to the State, which we have never witnessed before. Is it regular salaries one wants to mention or infrastructure or education or health among other socioeconomic interventions of the Administration. 

"I urge the people of Osun and our party members in particular that it is our time now. So, we must justify this with massive votes. We must prove our weights and capacity that we are ever ready for victory and the difference must be clear in the July 16 governorship election", he counselled.

Omisore understands that a tree does not make a forest, hence his eulogizing everyone that God used through Ilerioluwa to shut up Aronipin, as his comeback his made a reality.

Ilerioluwa, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in his simple nature at the colorful welcome program for Senator Otunba Iyiola Omisore, appreciated the party faithful in the State for their firm belief in his Administration and for showing their unalloyed support at all times to ensure victory for the party.

"Today is not a speech-making day. We are here to give gratitude to God. God has been very merciful to us. When I was there, I was a caretaker member, but now, our State has been blessed with National Secretary which is a permanent position. I thank Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Adebisi Akande, Southwest Governors for their support all through.

"As you all know; we have never had it so good like this. What we used to have was Ex-officio. We have never had a National Secretary. Senator Omisore is now a member of National Working Committee and National Executive Council of our great party.

"I commend your massive turnout in the last primary election as we had 222,169 votes but what we are targeting now is over 450,000 votes. I am assuring you that more good things are underway for all in our second term in office. After election, everybody will be more satisfied. As you can see, God has always been on our side. When I saw our efforts to transform Osun, I marvelled and I gave thanks to God. 

"So, please, be prepared for the next governorship election. I can see that you are ready for action and without fear, with you, I have confidence in God that our party will win. We are very ready,” Oyetola said.

Ilerioluwa also understands that the people makes the party and the party makes the government. No man can be an island of himself.

Lessons were learnt in the friendship journey of Senator Iyiola Omisore and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, trust, loyalty, sincerity, availability among others solidified the unseen bond that birthed choice and support of Iyiola Omisore who Aronipin did not believe in.

Lesson for Aronipin is don’t look down on anyone, don’t look down on God, don’t look down on yourself, as long as there is life, there is hope.

Let no man look down on anyone, God is full of surprises, Aronipin and Ilerioluwa, the script written by God is a pointer that God is real and he never forgets anyone.

Iwo ko lo da mi, iwo ko lobi mi, iwo ko lowo mi dagba, Aronipin e ku iya o, eyin ko lolorun, eyin ko loluwa, ede nsoro bi eledumare, asoro ma ye o. Iwo ko lo da mi, iwo ko lobi mi, iwo ko lowo mi dagba, Aronipin e ku oshi, eyin ko lolorun, eyin ko loluwa, esin nsoro bi eledumare, asoro ma ye o…. the music sings on.