OSUN 2011: OYINLOLA, ODUOYE TANGO OVER SENATORIAL SEAT

The people of the Living Spring State (Osun), are already booking for ring side seats to watch a titanic battle between two combatants, as a serving and a former governor would soon trade tackles over a senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It is no more a secret that the incumbent governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is looking beyond his tribunal matter with his younger brother, Engr. Rauf Aregbesola as he already obtained a nomination form to represent his Central Senatorial District at the Senate from 2011.

Interestingly, however, the current but less visible occupier of the seat, who is, coincidentally a retired Police Commissioner and a former governor, Simeon Oduoye, has also obtained his own nomination form too, to slug it out with an 'intruder.'

While the Okuku Prince was military governor and currently civilian governor in Lagos and Osun states respectively, the Ikirun-born Oduoye was also once a military administrator in Niger State.

What makes the impending scenario interesting is the fact that Oyinlola, initially in 1999 aspired to go to the Senate before providence crowned him governor. Iragbiji-born politician and philanthropist, Chief Felix Kolawole Ogunwale contested the seat and won. Then, when in 2007 the seat was vacant because Ogunwale wanted to oust Oyinlola to become governor, Oyinlola, with the popular espirit de corps then conscripted Oduoye against his (Oduoye's) personal wish to the senatorial seat.

Now that the second term of the godfather, Oyinlola in office is fast approaching, the renowned United Nations peace-keeper wants to take a rest at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly but his godson insists it would be on his dead body. Hence, the battle line that is conspicously drawn between the two combatants presently.

As it is now, Oyinlola derives confidence from the fact that, as the governor , he also doubles as the leader of his party (PDP). Against this background, the dark complexioned smooth operator and silent strategist, who will call the shots during the party primaries might have an upper hand on his godson Oduoye as the former would see to who gets what when the chips are dawn.

A political watcher in the state, who does not want his name in print said 'if I were the other man, I would just withdraw from the race and work for the man who God has made the decider of other members' fate in the party so as to get further patronage in the corridors of power.

But politicians, being incurable optimists, may not surrender easily until they are soundly and roundly humiliated.

The scenario building up, however, promises to be very interesting.