GENERAL BUHARI MUST LEARN HONOUR FROM GBENGA OLAWEPO

Nigeria is a blessed nation, the country is blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile soil, good weather and most importantly, respectable human resources. Without self praising this unique nation, I make bold to say that Nigeria has the best and most intelligent people in the world. We are good people from a great nation.
In todays Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari is no doubt a house hold name, he his one of the good people in our beloved country. He his a father, a leader, a model and someone who is looked upon by many as a source of reference. He belong to the founding generation.
On the other hand, Nigeria is also home to the world travelled Comrade Gbenga Olawepo, a symbol of worthy ideal for the younger generation.
While General Buhari hold the title of an incorruptible leader, Gbenga Olawepo hold the record of human rights and anti-dictatorship leader. Both are worthy symbol.
These two (2) leaders share many things in common, but for this short write up, let me limit it to their political contribution to the nation.

In the quest of General Buhari to reverse the negative and downward trend  in governance in our dear nation, he contested the presidency of Nigeria on 3 different occasions under 2 different political platforms. First, he contested in 2003 under All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and he re-contested to the same position in 2007 under the same platform. Then in 2011, he contested under the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC). In all 3 occasions, General Buhari lost the elections based on the declared result by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Just like General Buhari, Gbenga Olawepo who couldn’t watch his dear Kwara state continue on the path of regression stepped forward in 2007 to liberate the state from the bondage of political ignorance, unemployment and leadership misdirection. He contested on two occasions for the position of Kwara state governor under the same platform. First, he contested in 2007 under the platform of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and re-contested in 2011 under the same platform. He like Buhari also lost the elections on both occasions.
Here, we could see that, despite being the best available candidate with sound ideas and ideal personality with impeccable record of integrity, Olawepo also didn’t emerge victorious.
As a result of the 2011 election results which went contrary to expectations of both men, both Gbenga Olawepo and General Buhari announced their sabbatical leave from partisan politics.
Buhari declared before the public that the 2011 election would be the last he would ever contest in the country, while Olawepo also told close associates and supporters that the 2011 election would be his last shot at the Kwara governorship seat.
Few years later, as the 2015 election approaches, friends, fans and supporters have been approaching the two men to reconsider their earlier stance by re-contesting election in 2015 after they pledge to step aside. But there are many good people in Nigeria that could get the job done.
So far, Gbenga Olawepo had kept his words by maintaining the sacredness of his words, but General Buhari seems to have decided to set aside his much valuable words of honour.
It is worth to note that, a man is as good as his words. Therefore, we must be accountable to our own words, this is where honour resides.

As the 2015 election approach, many have urged Gbenga Olawepo to reverse his earlier announcement of quitting partisan politics. They have been asking him to also step into the race as a worthy leader, but Olawepo maintained that, there are good men and women all over the state who could get the job done, and having tried on 2 occasions without success, it is only natural to give space for others.
In a short message posted on his facebook page on April 10, 2014, Gbenga Olawepo wrote:
Dear friends, fans, followers and supporters, as political storm gathers momentum in Nigeria, quite a number of folks have sent goodwill messages to me hoping that somehow, I will recant on my withdrawal from partisan politics and make some interventions in the process leading to 2015. It will be unkind to remain silent in the face of flurry of enquiries and sincere wishes of admirers and friends.
Olawepo stated that, ‘’as much as it is important to stress unequivocally that when I decided to quit partisan politics, it was not a fluke. I have in the past few years been primarily focused on giving my family and business undivided attention,quite a number of my followers already know that I am not a professional politician. Even when I took up roles in political parties, I have neither been paid salaries nor helped at any time by public purse.
He explained that, despite quitting partisan politics, he shall not keep silent when there is need to contribute to issues.
In his words, ’Notwithstanding that I am not in partisan politics, I shall not be neutral on fundamental issues that will define the survival of our great country as we match to 2015 and beyond. By the grace of God, I will not prevaricate on matters of national unity, indissolubility and indivisibility of the federal republic of Nigeria and the secularity of the Nigerian state. I shall continue to stand firmly on values that shaped my engagement since my first entry into the political centre stag twenty eight years ago as an anti apartheid activist, student leader, human right activist, business man and politician. These values are ever green-freedom, democracy, tolerance, patriotism, economic inclusiveness,excellence and integrity in public service.
Olawepo didn’t stop there, he further stated that, there are many ways to contribute to the nations growth beyond seeking elective office. According to him, ‘’Even in business that we do today in the energy sectors of Nigeria, Africa and the emerging economies, our motivation has not solely being to make profit, we are investing in key infrastructures that will create millions of jobs in pursuit of our belief that only through gainful employment can poverty be eliminated on a sustainable basis.
He concluded his message by assuring everyone that though, he his absent from partisan politics, but he remain a firm believer in the promise of Nigeria’s manifest destiny to be a great nation where people of diverse language, cultures and believe will live in liberty, prosperity, unity, peace and security.
He wrote that, ‘’I have unshakable faith in the word of God for me and Nigeria and I can declare it boldly that Nigeria IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE SUN SHALL RISE.
Here, Olawepo maintained the honour of his words as earlier stated. He knew the power of words and uphold its sanctity. He his a man who honour his words.
General Buhari on the other hand has decided to make  U-turn. Against his declaration in 2011, he has declared once again, to contest the presidential election for the 4th time in 2015. This is a concern for me as someone who once campaigned for general Buhari.
As someone whose words was said to be worth of being taken to the bank, it was expected that Buhari would preserve his honour by fulfilling his public declaration of not contesting again, he should have stick to his words and give his support to others who have step forward to take over from where he stopped, but he didn’t, rather, he went against himself portraying a man whose word shouldn’t be taken for it.
General Buhari should have learn from the honourable path tolled by Gbenga Olawepo, this is a way to honour. A mission cannot be worthy if there is no honour, and the greatest act of honour a man can practice is to keep his own words. Gbenga has shown that honour, let other learn from this worthy practice. Mr. Rights