By Kehinde Omoniyi, PhD
The recent post-primary reconciliation visit by the Hon. Babatunde Kolawole- led delegation to the residence of Dr Barr. Olumuyiwa Adu “Cubana” has elicited mixed reactions from public commentators, opposition party members and many interested observers.
Dr Adu fondly addressed as “Adu cubana” threw his hat into the ring for the Ondo Central Senatorial contest in the last primary election in Ondo state.
His entry into the Senatorial race was primarily borne out of genuine agitations by the cross section of apolitical and political individuals and groups who believed in his competence, and appreciated his huge community impact.
His philanthrophy and his impressive track records underscore his altruistic interest to serve and his capacity to deliver the needed democratic dividends that have eluded the District for many years of under-representation and ‘audio’ legislation.
His philosophy of egalitarianism aligns directly with progressive ideas of RENEWED HOPE INITIATIVES at the federal level and also concurs with OUR EASE AGENDA at the state level.
During his issue-based campaign for votes, many days before the primary, Dr Adu deployed his men and resources to secure the backing of the stakeholders who were supposed to participate in the direct primary mode of the electoral procedure. This mode was constitutionally designed to ensure all the card carrying members’ inclusiveness.
On this political journey, he carried no bitterness. He expended his personal resources and God-given talents to strengthen grassroots democratic participation and he obliged massive funds for human capacity building and for helping community development projects across the State. He maintained his campaign with beautiful but do-able manifesto and obeyed the regulations of the electoral act 2026 as amended.
Dr Adu displayed the same political discipline, courage and commitment he exhibited as the Deputy Director General (Ondo Central) of Aiyedatiwa Champaign Council in 2024 when he deployed his financial stamina and mobilisation prowess to support the good cause of Governor Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s election.
Before the primary, he floated a support Group for Tinubu, with other strong party leaders of impeccable integrity and formidable political credentials. He committed millions of naira and 25 branded buses to mobilize massive support for the second term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, citing his reforms and interventions that have crystalized into series of restructuring, economic growth and infrastructural development in the last three years.
But, when Dr Adu turned to the system and the system operators for political succour, he was betrayed by the hostile system, truncating his ambition to represent his people in a bizarre manner. The primary election was fraught with democratic maladies – rigging and violence amidst many irregularities that fouled the exercise.
Thereafter, Dr Adu presented a strong- worded petition to the Election petition committee that was constituted to address the irregularities that emanated from the highly controversial primary elections across the State.
The dramatic twist that followed the aftermath was not only strange but unprecedented, Dr Adu was sidelined without apologies, and the “winner” was declared for the contested senatorial ticket several weeks after the charade.
Expectedly, this autocratic action generated reactions, in line with the Newton’s third law of nature-
Some took opposite reactions to challenge the injustice by quiting the party while other took equal reactions to challenge the actions of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) in the courts of adequate jurisdictions.
In the midst of this ongoing hullabaloo, Dr Adu prefers jaw-jaw to war-war. He embraces all forms of conciliatory moves, putting a stop to his legitimate ventilation of his ‘grievances’.
In the said meeting with the state exco of All Progressives Congress at his Alagbaka residence, the chairman of the party, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde described Dr Adu “as one of the party’s most influential grassroots leaders and an invaluable stakeholder whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Ondo State remain widely acknowledged”.
This press statement that was issued shortly after the meeting from the State Publicity Secretary, Muyide Adeyeluwa was widely circulated by the media. Dr Adu is being criticised by some sympathisers who would have wanted him to leave the APC and throw stones at the unfair system. They fear his future marginalization by the same political actors.
They are appalled by his gentlemanly approach to the grave injustice meted to his personality and ambition by a political platform he loves so dearly but has benefited nothing from, despite his heavy investments in its past successful outings.
They are of the correct opinion that Dr Adu has the wherewither to create pandemonium that will significantly affect the electoral fortune of the APC in the next general elections.
Opposition parties and their weak structures, even came with the Greek offers- Come and take our party’s tickets, join us to rock the boat, and then fight the ruling party to make it vulnerable for us to win!
In the wake of these overtures, Dr Olumuyiwa Adu went into political hibernation; He overcame the ‘attractive’ temptations after seeking the face of God for forty days and forty night!
He resurfaced with fresher vigour and refused to renounce his party for a paltry applause.
He is not into politics for business and the Lord had earlier instructed him to support his friend and leader – His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
Now, he has not only offered his benevolent self to be part of ongoing efforts to reconcile other aggrieved leaders and followers, he will, as usual, release his resources for the forthcoming electioneering. He wants quick repositioning of the party for victory in subsequent elections!
In the similar vein, the APC Akure South Elders’ Caucus, standing in solidarity with Dr Adu in a letter signed by its Chairman, Dr S.B. Akerele, has admitted that his efforts brought values to the process and reflected his commitment to the party.
By and large, Dr Olumuyiwa Adu remains convinced that Leadership and political positions come only through God’s approval as no individual can attain any office without divine permission.
