In the quite corridors of our local government councils, familiar drama is unfolding- one that speaks volumes about the fragile nature of political “loyalty” in our grassroots democracy. It is a story of long-term silence, high- stakes gambles, and the sudden, cold realisation that in politics, a “seat at the table” is often a month- to- month lease, not a deed of ownership.
In the local governments and LCDA’s, supervisors, special advisers and political appointees, often act as the “Infantry” for the Executive Chairman. They are the front-line soldiers tasked with executing the executives wills and, more importantly, providing the political human-shield when things get messy. As the current situation shows, when the “General” stops feeding the “infantry,” the soldiers don’t just desert, they often turn around. In kosofe, supervisors who were not returned are currently facing political betrayal.
The Silence Contract: For many years, the role of supervisors, or appointees has been governed by an unwritten contract: absolute loyalty in exchange for political survival. When leadership faces scrutiny or legal challenges, the appointees, often become the first line of defense. They maintain a disciplined silence, even when personal principles might suggest otherwise. Why? Because they are playing for the “Return Ticket.”
The Day the List Drops: As we have seen in recent days across various local governments, that “Return Ticket” is a phantom currency. When the official lists was finally released, many who spent years defending the status quo, find themselves on the outside looking in.
The release of that list has effectively turned “loyalists” into opposition overnight. In kosofe, the system is built on patronage rather than ideology. When the patronage stops, the loyalty evaporates. The release of the supervisors list, is a political earthquake. By excluding the entire previous cabinet, the bridge has essentially being burnt to his old guard. The fallout from this move goes beyond just a few hurt feelings, it reshapes the power dynamics of the entire local government, ahead of the next election cycle.
The Shock is Palpable: These supervisors, who may have sidelined colleagues or compromise their own reputation to protect the “system” no longer has a use for them. This brings us to a dangerous cycle in our local politics.
When patronage is withdrawn, the “loyalist” often transform. The sudden exclusion proves that in the current administration, loyalty is consumable, not cumulative. They have signalled that they no longer needs the “Old Infantry” to maintain their grip on power. If your reason for supporting the system or a leader is a “return ticket” you are not a public servant, you are a gambler. The lesson for our local council is clear. When we build political structures on transactional loyalty rather than institutional principles, we build on sand.
In the last administration, there was a very powerful supervisor, that determines who goes down and who remains among the supervisors. He already had with him, the list of the returning supervisors and those who won’t return. He actually said Wapa will go down. That is, she will be sacked. She was suspended and then eventually sacked. Because I was begging him too much on behalf of Wapa, to reconsider his stand, he told other supervisors, that GOCO too must go down. He orchestrated all that happened then. The rest is history now. With the new list, he has also gone down shamefully and with ignominy. Whoever must destroy others to attain success, must surely see destruction awaiting him. As it is now, the Lord of Retribution has caught up with him. He’s neither here or there. It’s on record, how he begs for money from colleagues and party leaders to feed himself and his family.
This is a powerful moment of poetic justice. Exactly one year, after I was unlawfully arrested and detained for speaking out. One year ago today, the voice of accountability was met with handcuffs. It was an attempt to prove that the “General” was untouchable and the “Infantry” was invincible. All the seven Exco members from the Supervisors Chamber of the local government, none of them made the list to come back. They were the same supervisors that signed the petition on a plain sheet of paper, only to turn back and tell lies at the Police Command that their signatures on the sheet of paper, was a monthly thrift collection (ajoo), that we normally do. They told this lie, simply to secure a return ticket as an Exco member. They were told to play along.
Many thanks to a particular supervisor, that stood his ground and told the world that their signatures, not meant for any monthly thrift collection (ajoo). He said the signatures was for the petition written by GOCO, under their collective instructions. At the Police Command in Zone2, he was denied access to write a statement, believing that, he’s not likely to play along like the others, and he’s also likely to bring out the truth they are trying to cover. Almighty Allah will suffice you and be with you in your point of needs.
It is only the promise of Allah that is Supreme, Genuine, and Ultimate. They sold their colleague and ally for a plate of porridge. They sold GOCO, just like the ten brothers of Joseph sold him for a few dirhams (silver coins) counted out. Judas Iscariot also betrayed and sold Jesus Christ for 30 pieces of silver. What was the outcome of their betrayal? Denial, Frustration, Neglect and total Used and Dumped.
True governance requires a shift. We must move towards a system where appointments are based on merit and performance, not just “staying in the good books.” Until then, the release of every new cabinet list will be less about service and more about who has been fed- and who has been forgotten.
Congratulations to all the newly appointed supervisors and special advisers. I wish you all the best as you pilots the affairs of our great local government.
In this game, the “TRUTH” always wins.
Ganiyu Olamiji Oyebanjo GOCO.