Ekiti 2014: Assessing JKF’s Campaign Team

                            

With the recent announcement of time table for the gubernatorial election of Ekiti State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) incumbent Governor John Kayode Fayemi in his characteristic style unveils his campaign team in style, writes John Ajayi.

 

“There is a fine line between eccentrics and geniuses. If you’re a little ahead of your time, you’re an eccentric, and if you’re too late, you’re a failure, but if you hit it right on the head, you’re a genius.”

 

Half a century ago, when Thomas Watson Jnr. the second president of IBM made this golden remark, not quite a few in his generation knew he was making a prophetic statement that will outlive generations yet unborn. Today, the insightful and prophetic reflection of Watson Jnr. has not only reverberated globally, it has found a perfect expression and deep meaning in the style of politics of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (a.k.a. JKF).

 

Since he assumed office as governor of Ekiti State, unarguably the best but difficult state to rule, JKF who fought a determined but well-focused legal battle to reclaim his hitherto stolen mandate from former Governor Segun Oni of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has been methodical, logical and strategic in his approach to issues, governance and politics generally.

 

From whatever political or ideological divide you stand, you cannot but acknowledge the fact that Governor John Kayode Fayemi has been truly urbane in character, style and politics. Not only has he lived up to his calling as a highly cerebral scholar, he has constantly and unconsciously redefined politics in the hitherto violent-prone Ekiti land to the admiration and hidden envy of the most cynical critics of Ekiti people and their politics.

 

Like every mortal, JKF may have had quite a few challenges and a little below expectations in certain areas, he has nonetheless delivered immensely on democracy dividends.  He has democratized dividends in democracy reaching out to all old people on a monthly basis irrespective of party affiliations. Why then is the furore?  With the paucity of funds and the meager allocation accruing to the state from the federal government, JKF has elevated the art and act of governance in Ekiti State from its past mediocre status to a more creative and robust productive engagement leveraging on all identifiable opportunities and networks. Most unique and outstanding about the activist-turned politician is the fact that he has always turned challenges to opportunities and in the process unconsciously endearing and bonding himself more to the fastidious but appreciative people of Ekiti State.

As a proud indigene of Ekiti State, I make bold to say that indeed, JKF truly represents and epitomizes the pristine Omoluabi symbol, the true ideal of an Ekiti.

 

Unlike his peers and those before him, JKF’s recent declaration of intent to seek re-election into the exalted office of Governor of Ekiti State through a well crafted press statement as an advertorial in major national dailies is also emblematic of the man with style and panache.

 

Titled, “2014: I heed the sacred calls of Ekiti people to Run for Second Term”, the content and indeed, the import of the widely publicized press report was unambiguous .

The governor’s political ingenuity and intellectual sagacity was brilliantly deployed in the persuasive choice of words that appeal to reason.

 

Take this sampler:

“Our people can faithfully testify that together the Collective Rescue Mission we promised at the onset of our first term in office has crystallized. Indeed, our people can attest to how we have rescued Ekiti State from the years of locusts and returned our dear state to the path of respectability, stability and development. Our people can affirm that we have kept faith with our Road Map to Ekiti Recovery – the 8 – points agenda. Every stratum of Ekiti State can see our foot-prints on those key sectors we promised to touch. My readiness to heed your calls today is therefore a demonstration of our collective commitment to continue the good work we have begun”.

 

JKF’s excerpts as quoted are indeed statements of facts. Facts, and real facts as in facts on ground. A visitor to Ekiti State today or anytime will be amazed at the level of infrastructural growth and development of the predominantly agrarian and rural economy. For JKF, there is no colouring the fact as his midas touch has achieved almost 360⁰ degree transformation of Ekiti State. His rebranding and repositioning the state as “… Ile iyi, Ile Eye” has resonated well in the attitude and culture of the people who are homogenous in all aspects and ramifications.

 

While I will restrain from all temptations to go into the details of landmark achievements of JKF to buttress my assertion that the governor’s argument on why he is qualified and deserve re-election, I will but try and limit myself to the reasoned logic in the declaration and indeed the composition of his electoral campaign committee.

 

As someone not given to brash politics and undue egotism, JKF had counseled; “My decision to heed the calls of our people,…………….does not translate to the closure of the political space for contest. I therefore look forward to fair competition from my co-aspirants within and outside our party. I look forward to very robust debates and issue-based campaign”.

 

Recognizing the enormous task ahead while also not ready to substitute real politicking for governance, JKF announced the appointment of five eminent indigenes of the state who are professionals in their own rights as campaign committee members.

 

His words:

“……I reassured our people that as we inch closer to the start of electioneering campaign, governance will not be replaced with politics. In recognition of the quantum of campaign work I envisage and the need for me to continue to dedicate myself to the business of governance for which Ekiti people have elected me, I therefore formally appoint Hon. Bimbo Daramolarepresenting Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1 at the House of Representatives, as the Director-General (DG) of our re-election campaign. He will be assisted by Hon. Biodun Omoleye as the Deputy Director General (DDG) Mr. Sanmi Omiata as the Communications Director, Mrs. Bunmi Adelugba as Director of Finance & Administration (DFA) of the campaign while Mr. Dimeji Daniels will serve as campaign spokesperson”.

 

Looking at the profile and pedigree of these individuals, one cannot but observe that these are indeed personalities of no mean repute who are themselves devoid of any moral or social baggage. As JKF rightfully stated, “these illustrious citizens of Ekiti state are professionals with impeccable credentials and have been tested and trusted in their chosen vocations”.

 

The Director-General, Bimbo Daramola, former banker turned communications consultant is an astute politician. He has distinguished himself in special projects initiatives with global recognition and applause. Two of such readily comes to mind, namely, the electronic biography of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, titled “From Prison to Presidency”. This is a special epic documentary of the life, times and works of the former president. The project was carried out between 1999 – 2002 by Rucie Communications, a company he co-founded as Deputy Managing Director. The hard working, tough-talking but ebullient politician also formed and registered PROJECT NIGERIA. The lawmaker who has politics running in his blood is an ideas power house. He used thePROJECT NIGERIA as an umbrella platform for corporate bodies (i.e. strategic corporate partners) to deploy multiple competencies in solving problems. This initiative later opened government’s eyes to public Private SectorPartnership policy.

 

Honourable Bimbo Daramola has over the years positioned himself for greatness through innovative projects and initiatives that cannot be denied by even the worst of critics. He is expected to lead JKF’s re-election campaign with some of his revolutionary ideas that are second to none.

His deputy, Hon. Biodun Omoleye also has a chequered career in both private and the public sectors.

Upon completion of his mandatory National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) he joined the services of the Nigerian office of the British educational training and Technology Association as an education and training consultant. From there he moved on to join the management of Capital Oil Plc. In 1990, he was made the manager of Special Projects as well as Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive, while he again rose to the position of Head of International Operations of the company before leaving to set up his own Oil Marketing Company alongside friends and like-minded colleagues.

He later became the pioneer General Manager of Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency in 2001 as he single-handedly set up the agency. His activities in the agency attracted the attention of the federal government which later appointed him as Zonal Co-ordinator for entire Southwest to manage natural disasters and emergencies. He was at inception of Governor Fayemi’s administration a Senior Special Assistant on policy and Strategy. These are the areas that Hon. Omoleye has distinguished himself as a strategist and a seasoned administrator.

 

Similarly, the appointment of Mr. Sanmi Omiata, a thorough-bred marketing and advertising professional as Communications Director of the Campaign Committee is indeed an excellent choice in the mix. The communications director, a soft-spoken marketing guru is an eminent product of Eminent Communications Ltd. The leading advertising, PR and marketing consultancy agency founded by late Sesan Ogunro is reputed for breath-taking political campaigns that have over the years proved the efficacy and potency of creative advertising in selling political brand icons. It is on record that Sanmi Omiata, until his recent appointment, an executive director of the avant-garde creative shop was among the egg-heads that packaged the famous electioneering campaign of late billionaire businessman and acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Kolawole Abiola. Specifically, the agency’s creative adoption of the theme “Hope 1993 was generally regarded and creatively referred to as the best creative political sloganeering ever witnessed in this clime after many years of military interregnum. This creative work helped in no small measure to boost the political brand equity of late Chief Moshood Abiola who eventually won the highly competitive and coveted election before it was diabolically annulled by the gap-toothed general, former military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.

 

The agency with Sanmi Omiata, Femi-Femi-Shofu working in conjunction with others under Ogunro’s creative empire has since pioneered and recorded other feats in Nigerian political advertising. The agency has worked for notable political brand personalities like former Governor of Lagos State, and national leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Modu Sherrif Musa, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, and former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) gubernatorial aspirant in Kwara State, Chief Dele Belgore (SAN). Indeed, the agency’s creative political in-puts for the erudite lawyer’s political ambition played a major catalyst in boosting his political brand equity which ruffled and rattled the age-long political hegemony and dynastic structure in Kwara State amongst several others.

It is on record that Sanmi Omiata spear-headed and led the team that planned and executed this project.

Today, Dele Belgore has become a major political force and a renowned brand icon in Kwara State’s political power equation.

 

It is also on record that Sanmi Omiata and his group paved the way for the market launch and penetration of Cowbell Milk in the Nigerian diary food market. Today, the Cowbell brand has attained an Olympian height in its sector. Just recently, the agency was hired by Ekiti State government under JKF to handle the rebranding of the State. The outcome of this initiative is there for all to see. Amongst all the states of the federation that have passed through this process of rebranding, Ekiti State’s efforts remain outstanding as the rebranding theme has resonated very perfectly with the brand and its constituents.

 

It is not unlikely that Sanmi Omiata and his creative soldiers will spare no weapon in their creative armoury to deliver top of the market creative campaign for JKF’s second coming.

 

Also, not least on the list is Former Hon. Commissioner for Labour, andProductivity in the state, Mrs. Olubunmi Adelugba and Dimeji Daniels. These two individuals have also impacted most significantly in their respective fields and endeavours. They have distinguished themselves so much that JKF cannot but reckon with their strategic import and influence.

 

Indeed, the campaign team’s selection and most importantly the subtle manner of its unveiling is in complete sync with the JKF style. Unlike the old wisdom of Robert Louis Stevenson which says “politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary,” JKF has over time rendered this anxiom out-dated and irrelevant as he is always prepared in everything he has done. His style of governance and approach to issues of politics are quintessential.

He is indeed the philosopher King who has created a niche for himself among his peers and others in his generation.

 

 

 

 

John Ajayi, Publisher/CEO

MARKETING EDGE MAGAZINE is a Lagos based Journalist