By Tajudeen Raji (Omo Olofamojo)
The last time we tried to dissect the personality of Gbenga Power-Oyekunle, a man who has proven beyond reasonable doubts that indeed “All powers belongs to the most high God” and that “Politics is not a do or die affair”.
Some readers might find the two expressions above strange while others already understood what it meant. The most important thing is that certain messages are being passed about this philantropist.
During the last electionering period, the good people of Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency, irrespective of ethic, religious and most importantly political differences, beacon on Honourable Gbenga Power-Oyekunle to expand his milk of human kindness to go and represent them in Abuja and after series of persuasion and consultation, he accepted to contest.
Some political pundits wished that it was the era of Independent Candidacy, where one does not need to belong to any political party. They had a strong conviction that Gbenga Power would never had any cause to join any political party because he is a household name, not just in Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun but in the entire Kwara State and beyond.
From day one, it was obvious that the great people of Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun were eager to avail one of their own, the opportunity to lead them and I would like to commend their efforts despite the injustice done after the primary election…the rest they say is history.
The deliberate act of injustice and greed which have eroded Nigeria political arena, gave rise to the popular slogan of “politics is a dirty game”. One of the dangers inherent in this saying is this impression that “Politics is not for responsible people “.
For the likes of Gbenga Power, politics is not and should never be a dirty game, because it is about stewardship to God and humanity.
Before “reluctantly” delve into politics, his non governmental organisation, Gbenga Power Foundation has been touched lives for close to a decade and funded from his private pocket.
I used the word reluctantly because this revered man believes that he does not need to join partisan politics to put smiles on faces of the downtrodden.
Convincing Gbenga Power to join politics, with all sense of modesty was not an easy task, as a matter of fact, analogies had to be drawn from western nations, where men and women of goodwill despite their enormous influence and resources still engaged in active political participation.
With the clear hand writing on the wall that his mandate in the primary election was diverted in favour of another candidate, coupled with the huge resources he expended in 2019, Gbenga Power remains very close to his people, even more than those elected “representatives”.
A friend once asked me about the personality of Gbenga Power-Oyekunle, what we are used to is whenever politicians loose election, they migrate out of Kwara and return on the eve of elections. But to the amazement of most people, Gbenga Power remains very close through empowerment for youth and women, distribution of food items all year round across all faiths, scholarships and free medical services to mention few.
To proof that Gbenga Power is a unique individual, I will give the little that the space and time permit about some of his philanthropic gestures.
(To be continued).
