There comes a time in every political journey when a party must pause and ask itself a simple but profound question: what truly defines loyalty, and how should it be rewarded? In today’s political climate, where opportunism often overshadows commitment, that question has become more urgent than ever especially within the ranks of the People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State.
The story of Mogaji Dr. Stephen Akin Fagbemi is not just about one man; it is a reflection of a troubling pattern in our political reward system. Long before the coalition that ushered in Seyi Makinde in 2019, Fagbemi was already a steadfast figure in the political landscape of Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency. He was there in the trenches when the party was not fashionable, when hope was dim, and when many had jumped ship.
Those who remember the dark days of the PDP between 2015 and 2017 will recall a party on life support. The once-bustling Molete Secretariat had become a shadow of itself: staff unpaid for months, electricity disconnected due to mounting bills from the defunct National Electric Power Authority, and leadership stripped of even the most basic operational resources. It was a period that tested the resolve of even the most loyal party faithful.
Yet, in that moment of institutional collapse, one man chose to act rather than lament.
Dr. Fagbemi stepped in not for applause, not for immediate reward, but out of sheer commitment to the survival of the party. Salaries were cleared, dignity was restored to party workers, and the secretariat flickered back to life. It was an intervention that went beyond politics; it was an act of belief in a collective future.
And yet, years later, the question lingers: what has been the reward for such uncommon dedication?
Politics, we are often told, is a game of numbers, alliances, and timing. But it is also, fundamentally, a test of character. When individuals who have consistently demonstrated loyalty, generosity, and performance are sidelined, it sends a dangerous message that sacrifice is optional, and that loyalty is expendable.
The popular mantra of this administration has been “catch them young,” a forward-looking philosophy that emphasizes grooming the next generation of leaders. It is a noble vision. But in the pursuit of the new, must we abandon the dependable?
Must experience and proven commitment be sacrificed at the altar of shifting political calculations?
Dr. Fagbemi represents a rare blend of grassroots connection, administrative competence, and unwavering loyalty to the Omititun movement. His continued exclusion from the ticket for Ibadan North-West/South-West Federal Constituency raises concerns that go beyond personal ambition it speaks to the very soul of the party’s internal justice system.
At a time when the Omititun family must consolidate its gains and strengthen its internal cohesion, sidelining its most committed pillars is not just unfair it is strategically unwise. Political structures are not sustained by rhetoric alone; they are built on trust, recognition, and the assurance that dedication will not go unnoticed.
The truth is simple: a party that fails to reward loyalty risks breeding disillusionment. And disillusionment, if left unchecked, can erode even the strongest political movements.
This is not merely an appeal for Dr. Fagbemi it is a call for introspection within the Oyo PDP. The time has come to align words with actions, to ensure that those who stood firm in the storm are not forgotten in the sunshine.
If merit, sacrifice, and consistency still hold any value in our politics, then the moment to act is now.
Not tomorrow. Not later.
Now.
