I am not a joy killer. Let nobody misread me. Let nobody say I have come to pour cold water on the political merriment of yesterday. Let no supporter of Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Yemi Adaramodu or Senator Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi accuse me of standing at the gate of celebration with a long face.
No. I could see it clearly. I could see that the people of Ekiti State, the voters, the delegates, the party faithful and the political conscience of the land of pride and integrity have again returned their three wise senators to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
I could see their supporters dancing.
I could see the congratulatory messages flying.
I could hear the songs of victory.
I could feel the excitement in Ekiti Central, Ekiti South and Ekiti North.
But honestly, no joy yet for these three senators.
To show clearly that I am not a killjoy, I will personally visit and rejoice with each of them. I will congratulate Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB). I will rejoice with Senator Yemi Adaramodu. I will celebrate Senator Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi. Their victory is worthy of acknowledgement. Their return is politically significant. Their supporters deserve their dance.
But even as I rejoice with them, I will whisper the truth into their ears: distinguished senators, the celebration is not complete yet.
Yes, no joy yet for Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and Senator Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi.
Not because they did not win.
Not because their return is not significant.
Not because their victory is not worth acknowledging.
But because sending them back to the Senate is not just for the fun of it. It is not a political carnival. It is not a mere party dance. It is not a ceremonial renewal of Abuja comfort.
It is an àrokò.
It is a coded message.
It is a deep communication from the people to their representatives. It is the kind of message our elders describe in the proverb: Adìẹ bá lọ́kùn, ara ò rọ okùn, ara ò rọ adìẹ.
When a chicken perches on a rope, neither the rope nor the chicken enjoys rest.
That is the situation before our three wise senators today.
Ekiti has placed them on the rope of responsibility. The people have also placed themselves on the same rope of expectation.
Therefore, there can be no careless celebration. There can be no unending merriment. There can be no political sleep.
Yesterday, Ekiti spoke.
Ekiti said: let the three men who presently carry the senatorial mandate of the state return.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, CON, representing Ekiti Central.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, representing Ekiti South.
Senator Cyril Oluwole Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North.
Three senators. Three districts. One Ekiti mandate.
Like the three wise men in the Bible who journeyed to behold the birth of purpose, offered their gifts and returned to their abode with deeper understanding, Ekiti has again looked in the direction of her three senatorial representatives and resolved that the journey should continue.
But this journey must not continue as usual.
Their return is not a coronation for comfort. It is not a licence for political relaxation. It is not an endorsement of business as usual. It is not a certificate for arrogance. It is not an invitation to sleep in Abuja while Ekiti waits at home.
