By Obadofin Ademola
There is a Yoruba proverb that says, “Bí a bá ṣubú, a má ń wo ibi tí a kọsẹ̀”—when we fall, we should look at where we stumbled.
But in Ondo State politics, it appears Jimmy Adekanle, popularly known as JAF, has chosen a different approach: instead of looking at where he stumbled, he seems to have decided to blame Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the fall.
The APC primary election is over.
The party have spoken.
The results have been announced. Yet, somehow, the political battle appears to be continuing on social media.
One cannot help but ask:
If JAF had won the House of Representatives primary, would Governor Aiyedatiwa still be the target of this daily barrage of attacks?
That question is simple. The answer, however, may not be as simple.
Let me be clear: Governor Aiyedatiwa is not above criticism. No governor is. In a democracy, citizens and politicians have every right to question government policies and demand accountability.
But there is a difference between constructive criticism and political vendetta.
One is driven by public interest. The other is often driven by personal disappointment.
And when every road leads back to the same person, people are entitled to ask why.
THE AIRPORT MOMENT THAT SAID MORE THAN A THOUSAND FACEBOOK POSTS
I witnessed an incident a few weeks ago that, in my opinion, says a lot about the difference between social-media noise and real political influence.
I went to Akure Airport to welcome my political leader. As fate would have it, JAF was also on the same flight from Abuja, alongside Governor Aiyedatiwa and my political leader.
When we arrived at the airport, there was a massive crowd waiting to welcome my leader.
The crowd was so impressive that even Governor Aiyedatiwa appeared surprised by the turnout.
But something else caught my attention.
JAF himself seemed surprised that a woman could command such a massive reception.
As for me, I recognised JAF that day not because people were surrounding him or shouting his name, but because of the native cap he wore with “JAF” boldly written on it.
That moment reminded me of another proverb:
“A man who has people behind him does not need to announce it with a loudspeaker.”
In politics, social media is useful, but it is not the entire political universe.
Facebook followers are not the same as delegates.
Likes are not votes.
Comments are not structures.
And hashtags do not replace grassroots mobilisation.
Sometimes, the loudest person online may be the quietest person at the polling booth.
AND THEN CAME THE RADIO ATTACK
What happened later that day was even more curious.
According to my recollection, JAF subsequently appeared on a private radio station in Akure and criticised Governor Aiyedatiwa, including questioning the emergence of an “unknown person” for the House of Representatives ticket.
But here is where the story becomes interesting.
The woman whose supporters had gathered at the airport in their numbers was not contesting for the House of Representatives. She was an aspirant for the Ondo State House of Assembly seat representing Akure North.
So, one begins to wonder whether the political argument was based on accurate information or whether emotions had simply taken the steering wheel.
As they say, when anger becomes the driver, common sense sometimes sits in the back seat.
THE PRIMARY IS NOT A FUNERAL
JAF contested. He wanted to win. He did not get the ticket.
That is politics.
Somebody wins.
Somebody loses.
The sun does not stop shining because one candidate lost an election.
The wise politician accepts the outcome, examines what went wrong, rebuilds his political machinery and prepares for the next opportunity.
After all, “The failure of today is not the death of tomorrow.”
If JAF believes the primary was unfair, there are appropriate avenues to seek redress.
If he believes there was manipulation, let him provide evidence.
If he believes Governor Aiyedatiwa committed wrongdoing, let him substantiate the allegation.
But if the argument is simply that the governor must be blamed because the primary did not produce the desired result, then the public has every right to question the motive.
When a hunter misses his target, he does not immediately accuse the forest of moving.
Perhaps JAF should look inward.
Could it have been the members?
Could it have been the campaign strategy?
Could it have been the party structure?
Could it have been the political calculations of the moment?
Or could it simply have been that another candidate was preferred?
Politics is full of difficult questions.
But one thing is certain: social media cannot change the result of a primary election.
JAF AND THE BTO CONNECTION
There is also the increasingly visible political affinity between JAF and Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, popularly known as BTO.
Let me be clear: I have no evidence to suggest that BTO is directing JAF’s attacks against Governor Aiyedatiwa, and I will not make such a claim.
However, political observers are naturally interested in patterns.
When a politician consistently attacks one political figure while openly aligning with another powerful figure within the same political environment, questions will naturally arise.
That is politics.
But political alliances should be based on principles, ideas and a shared vision for the people—not merely on who helped or failed to help a politician achieve a personal ambition.
A man who builds his political house entirely on the foundation of another man’s quarrel may wake up one morning to discover that the house has no roof.
GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA MUST NOT BE DISTRACTED
Governor Aiyedatiwa should not allow social-media battles to distract him from governance.
The governor has a state to run.
He should focus on delivering on his promises, strengthening the economy, improving infrastructure and addressing the concerns of the people.
As the saying goes, “A farmer who spends the whole day chasing birds will return home without planting his farm.”
If JAF raises legitimate issues, the government should respond.
If he presents evidence of wrongdoing, the appropriate authorities should investigate.
But the governor does not have to respond to every political jab thrown at him online.
Sometimes, the best answer to noise is results.
JAF SHOULD MOVE ON
There is life after a primary election.
There is politics after defeat.
There is tomorrow after today.
JAF still has a political future ahead of him if he chooses to build one.
But he must understand that politics is not about attacking everyone after losing an election.
You cannot lose a football match and spend the next three years fighting the referee, the goalkeeper, the grass and the weather.
At some point, you must go back to training.
If JAF believes he has a better vision for Ondo State, let him present it.
If he believes he has better ideas, let him sell those ideas to the people.
If he believes he was cheated, let him seek justice through the appropriate channels.
But if every criticism of Governor Aiyedatiwa is ultimately connected to a primary election that did not go his way, then perhaps the public deserves to know whether this is really about governance—or simply about political sour grapes.
THE FINAL QUESTION
JAF may disagree with Governor Aiyedatiwa.
He may criticise him.
He may challenge his policies.
That is democracy.
But there is one question that will continue to follow this controversy:
If JAF had won the APC House of Representatives primary, would we still be witnessing this same level of anger and relentless attacks against Governor Aiyedatiwa?
Only JAF can answer that.
For now, perhaps the best advice is simple:
The election is over. The microphone is still working. The Facebook account is still active. The political future is still ahead.
So, instead of fighting yesterday’s battle every morning, perhaps it is time to prepare for tomorrow’s election.
Because, as the elders say, “The person who spends all his time looking backward will eventually walk into a ditch.”
Ondo State needs politicians who can win with humility, lose with dignity and return with better ideas.
After all, a political defeat is only a full stop if you decide never to write the next sentence.
