ERA OF USING AKOKO AGAINST AKOKOS AGENDA IS GONE
(AKOKO YOUTH WAKEUP)
A house divided against itself cannot stand. These words of Abraham Lincoln forever resonant with the echoes of civil war rang in the ears of blind Americans during a critical four-and-a-half-year period. Unifying the diverse racial, religious, political and economic groupings in Akoko for development remains the greatest challenge facing Akokos as a tribe. Unity is still a scarce resource among Akoko peoples due to the manner the communities was brought together by Ibadan warlords and the failure of some Akokos elites to brings a true and viable society out of these diversities.
According to historians Akoko communities originated from five different sources including Ile Ife, Owo, Ekiti, Benin and Kabba. But, it remains to be added that having lived together for quite some time, the people had good understanding of one another, evolved enduring relationship management strategies and developed a clear identity within the larger Yoruba race.
It is essential to note that the origin of the word “Akoko” is shrouded in mystery. Local traditions attribute it to the persistent invasions of the area by external forces, particularly the Ibadan warlords; who then described the area as Akorikotan or Akotunko, both of which refer to inexhaustible source of slaves and booties. If this tradition is anything worthy of consideration, it could therefore, be said that Akoko derives its present generic name from persistent invasions of the external forces in the pre-colonial era. The experience of Akoko communities in external raids and invasions require intensive search-light of history, if only to draw the attention of the people to the unusual determination of a group to survive in spite of hostilities.
A deeper source of Akoko division is POLITICS OF BITTERNESS, however, another journey to Alagbaka have sprung up again. Whereas in the lean years of the past there had been a scarcity of unity among Akokos Governorship seekers, see the simple analytical sample that happened among Unity Forum being headed by Akoko Elderly man, and he later declared Southern Ondo man as the most qualified candidate, “by what measured?” While many Akokos failed in their bids for recognition as a result of what they have done. Clearly as the bitterness and hysteria of many personal attacks upon our political leaders demonstrated there were elements of envy and jealousy, as well as ambition, involved in the campaign of disruption. Added to these feelings of personal grievance, furthermore, were the common frustrations and suspicions aroused in many blind Akoko youths by the very real inequities encountered daily and habitually in a world geared to vision and the visual.
Considering what happen in September 3rd 2016 Governorship primary election when four Akokos’ aspirant were competing for the Governor sit, that is, Segun Abraham scored 635 (as Secord candidate), Foluso Mayowa scored 19, Tunji Abayomi scored 5 and Senator Ajayi Boroffice scored 471. Akokos’ political leaders refused to rub mind together. Another season has come to face the same battle, since DR SEGUN ABRAHAM can still move as higher to be second among political giants, let all AKOKOS put our trust in him this time around and rest assured for Akoko victory. Although signs of disgruntlement had surfaced earlier now, Akokos Youth let us move in one accord and speak in one voice without looking at our political or parties, religion or community differences.
Sequel to the above; it is evident that our political structural, and policy initiatives cannot engender Akoko unity without appreciable change in the value orientation (mindset) and material conditions.
My good people of Akoko, this is the time to give our maximum support to DR SEGUN ABRAHAM. Let us shine our eyes and vote Dr. Segun Abraham as our choice.
Asiwaju Ojumo Isaac
A prolific writer &public affairs analysis
