EVALUATING THE PATH TO 2022 GOVERNORSHIP RACE IN OSUN.
According to a popular maxim, journey of a thousand miles starts with a step”. Simply put, what naturally determines successful endpoint of every journey at a desired destination solely rests on the direction and pattern of the first step.
Obviously, a first step must be consciously taken towards the right path and follow with required determination and concentration for quick and successful arrival at a preferred destination.
Talking about political expedition and politicking, ability and chances of any political party to get political machinery and dominate political power will be determined by the quality of strategy and structure, including the strength of characters of those that constitute its commanding height.
The abysmal performance of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2018 gubernatorial election was conditioned not only by presenting a character of lesser sophistication as its flag bearer, but absence of robust party structure, comprising of sound minds and committed foot soldiers.
As it stands now, the ongoing internal strife and bitterness within the PDP continued to create terrible crack in its wall. The controversial indefinite suspension of Hon. Soji Adagunodo as the chairman of the party, and the subsequent emergence of Hon. Akande Atidade, from Ede, to pilot the affairs of the party in acting capacity will continue to expand the scope of imbroglio in the party.
Analysing issues within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, one could easily deduce that the party is in for a terrible experience with its present weak leadership.
 It is no more news that the incumbent chairman of the party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, having being in charge for years, is seemingly fatigued as he always falls asleep at public functions irrespective of the nature and importance of the event.
Famodun was a member of the Caretaker Committee of the party at the time when Alhaji Moshood Adeoti was the interim chairman of the party, he later became the Secretary of the  party when Hon. Biyi Adelowo chaired the party, before becoming substantive Chairman .
Analysts inferred that Prince Famodun lacks requisite interest of the party at heart, by his selfish and parochial move to go for the second term, even after the incumbent governor, Mr Adegboga Oyetola, has emerged from the Central Senatorial District, the same Senatorial district that produced Famodun.
It is a general perception among the people that the only indices of political participation and influence in a democracy are equity and fairness.
The leadership configuration in the state is presently structured in such direction where governorship is being zoned to the Central and the West Senatorial Districts. Going by the places of birth of Mr Gboyega Oyetola and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, It is therefore illogical and irrational to return a man from the Central Senatorial District as Chairman of the party again.
Moreover, the APC at this time needs a man of huge electoral pedigree to chair the party for the singular purpose of massive mobilization at the home front. Unfortunately, the ancestral home of Famodun at Igbajo remains one of the towns in Osun with least electoral strength and value.
This fact must be taken seriously by Governor Oyetola and his handlers, they must have it at the back of their minds that electoral value of party leadership goes a long way to determine degree of success of the party in any contest.
It now behoves the incumbent governor and other stakeholders to start looking inward and pick a sellable candidate with robust political credentials and clout as replacement for Famodun without delay. Sincerely, such move is non-negotiable and pertinent for the party if truly it desires success in the election of 2022.
Loyal and core party  man,  with nobility is needed for the job, a fellow that is capable of mobilising youth, and settling  pending disagreement and as well strengthening the party.