A POLITICAL MATHMATICIAN AT
70
A TRIBUTE TO RT HON. (BALOGUN) ASIWAJU CLARENCE OLAFEMI
BY : OLOKE JESSE ABAYOMI
I sat with him in one of my numerous visits to him as one of his protege at his lokoja home, with my mind full of admiration for his political gutso and enchanting mien. He was his natural self, a cup of brandy settling majestically on the table between us waiting for his attention. “sir”, I called out wanting to know why he admonishes us to learn to turn at 360 degree when political game becomes intriguing.
“yomi ” he called out to me after taking a sip of brandy in front of him, “politics is not played to please others, but group interest and oneself. When your interest is threatened, turn even at the speed of 360 degree, and if you do that and remain steady, you drive on”!
No doubt, we are daily being governed by our basic training which perhaps gives credence to that popular saying that, an Old soilder never dies.
Rt Hon. Clarence olafemi graduated First Class in mathematics /computer science from that prestigious university, Ahmadu Bello university in Zaria, little wonder then he ended up being a master in political calculations.
He had emerged a genius in political scheming in not only kogi state, but Nigeria at large.
He took a first shot at politicking at age 28 in the then kwara state. A former student unionist while at ABU. He had not looked back since then. He was an ally of late baba Awoniyi for a long period of time, in fact not many people know that he was a major decider for late chief Awoniyi victory to be elected as a senator during IBB endless transition. He was instrumental to C. O. Adebayo victory in the old kwara state as governor.
Chief olafemi announced his political ebulliency in kogi state when he contested and won membership for kogi state house of assembly in 2003. The story for his victory is a story to look out for in his memoirs.
He emerged as the minority leader. That role was the tonic that wedged him to Gov ibro who quickly noticed the gift in him and belief that if he must succeed, he, gov ibro needed him. No wonder, when gov Ibro was going for his 2nd term, he told him to do likewise as a house member so that he, Clarence can be his speaker.
That was the best political move gov Ibro ever made because his election was upturn and a call for another election was pronounced. This made Chief Clarence to act as governor for 3months and supervised the re election of Alh Ibrahim Idris back to lugard house in an election, he could backstab ibro and hand it over to late Audu. Such was his loyalty to Ibro.
Balogun Clarence is a rear bread grassroot politician who build a strong bond with his people. It’s no strange occurrence seeing him eating from the same plate with people who comes visiting him. Till date, you don’t see two cups in front of him while taking his wine. Hundreds of his supporters knows this and they joyfully share this one cup to drink. He doesn’t discriminate against his supporters. Bring palm wine to him and everyone drinks from it. He is so loved by the people around him that, he is never shot of companionship.
The army of politicians, he had built and trained are countless. While at the house of assembly, he fix virtually every body close to him in one position or the other. Democracy dividend went round. In fact 90percent of young politicians from mopamuro local government area and to some extent in okunland were trained by him.
In his community, he remains an iroko tree under whom every youths runs to.
A man with many firsts. He remained the first okun man to govern kogi state. No wonder okun obas gave him ASIWAJU OKUNLAND title.
He is the Bale of okedagun in Mopa, the number 3 person in Mopa traditional hiarachy as the BALOGUN, despite being titled with a family title at a very young age, that is, the OLOGE of Mopa. He has so many other title from other communities including Igala land.
As a man who loves pleasure and good things of life, he is by no means, an accomplished Man.
His love for these three things are too obvious :CARS, GADGETS AND KIDS!
AT 70, his to be appreciated.
As A FATHER
A POLITICAL GURU
AN ACADEMICS OF HONOUR
AN ADMINISTRATOR AND
AN ACCOMPLISHED BUSINESSMAN.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MY LEADER AND TEACHER!!!