Governor Segun Mimiko’s declaration for a second term last Wednesday was a gathering of diverse sorts with different strokes
It was a tough job getting the Nollywood actor, Babatunde Omidina popularly known as Baba Suwe into the newly built Democracy Park in Akure, Ondo State last Wednesday. Escorted by his Nollywood colleague, Jibola Dabo, the two thespians were visibly stressed by the overflowing cheer and enthusiasm of the crowd who pushed and shoved the security men as they made every effort to catch a glimpse of the celebrities seated inside the SUV that snaked towards the gate of the Democracy Park. The pair were in Akure for Governor Segun Mimiko’s formal declaration for a second term in office on the ticket of the Labour Party.
The presence of Omidina, Dabo and many other artistes almost gave the occasion away as another celebrity show. There were, however, also many other politically minded men and women including many Yoruba leaders who came to endorse the unprecedented attempt to achieve a second term by the incumbent governor of the Sunshine State. No governor of the new Ondo State has succeeded in achieving a second term in office since the state came into its own in the early nineties.
But last Wednesday in the ambience created by the Nollywood celebrities, musicians and some of the leading politicians from the Southwest, Mimiko and his handlers seemed to have the landmark of a second term in view.Noting that he had not been to Ondo State for nearly ten years, the celebrated actor said he could not find his way when he arrived the day before, noting that the roads were all changed and he had to be guided through. “I saw things like Tinubu Square and in fact, I thought I was in Lagos,” he said to the wide cheer of the crowd.
Other Nollywood celebrities present included Foluke Daramola, Dele Odule. Also present was the prominent Yoruba musician, Adewale Ayuba.
