Oyetola vs Omisore: Why Tomorrow Will Judge Everyone

 

By Ismail Omipidan

For a long time, I deliberately stayed away from the roforofo fight between the camps of my former principal, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his once-trusted political ally, Senator Iyiola Omisore. But after observing the steady stream of planted stories now being amplified by Omisore’s men, I feel compelled to speak.

Neither side may like what I’m about to say, but the public deserves the truth. And if Omisore’s supporters choose to come after me, so be it. I have taken bullets for Oyetola in the past; one more won’t break me.

2018: The Truth Many Don’t Want to Hear

Some in the Aregbesola camp still argue that the APC did not need Omisore to win the 2018 governorship re-run. But the facts say otherwise. If Omisore’s support was irrelevant, why did party leaders run to him, leaders who had earlier backed Moshood Adeoti in the ADP, creating the very stalemate that put APC on edge?

Those details are for another day. What matters now is that everything negotiated with Omisore—except a ministerial slot—was fulfilled by Oyetola. He gave out commissionership positions, SA slots, and deferred to Omisore on sensitive issues, sometimes to the irritation of his own inner circle. At a point, even Aregbesola described Omisore as “Oyetola’s new leader.”

How Oyetola Saved Omisore From Obscurity

If Oyetola deserves credit for nothing else, he deserves credit for reviving Omisore’s political career.

Without his insistence, Omisore would never have emerged as APC National Secretary when he did. That position restored his relevance. Till today, some APC elders in the South-West have not forgiven Oyetola for that role.

Yes, Omisore enjoyed support from Akeredolu (of blessed memory), Fayemi, and some Buhari men. But without the prestige of home support that Oyetola brought, his emergence would not have carried weight.

I was there, through the late-night visits, the shuttles to Asiwaju and Baba Akande, sometimes more than three times a day, often until 2 a.m. I know what transpired.

2022: When Influence Failed to Show

In the 2022 governorship election, Omisore’s influence didn’t reflect in the results. Many still insist that if Oyetola had not ceded the entire Ile-Ife structure to him, the outcome there would have been different. That is now history, but a truth worth noting.

Oyetola deserves respect. No matter the noise from Omisore’s “Rottweilers,” as Yoruba people say:

“Rain dey beat person enter the same house twice.”

Life can turn in unexpected ways.

When Omisore’s Judgment Hurt APC

Under Omisore as National Secretary, the Bayelsa APC governorship ticket went to someone against the counsel of senior party elders. Oyetola was heavily criticized afterwards:

“Ṣé bi ẹyin le mu wá?”

("After all, you are the ones who brought him - Omisore.")

My Counsel to Both Camps

To Oyetola: Remain calm. Show maturity. This phase will pass. Perhaps confronting Omisore earlier could have altered today’s events, but no one can fully stop another man's ambition.

To Omisore and his supporters: Ease the desperation. What Allah has not destined for you will not reach you. No amount of scheming, propaganda, or intimidation will force destiny open.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

“If the whole world gathers to benefit you, they cannot give you more than Allah has written for you. And if they gather to harm you, they cannot harm you beyond what Allah has decreed.”

You will get to Abere only if Allah has destined it for you, regardless of what Oyetola does or does not do. And if it is not yours, no force on earth can deliver it to you.

Tomorrow Is Always Pregnant

Politics is not static. Power rotates, alliances shift, and today’s giant can become tomorrow’s footnote.

So let everyone tread softly. Tomorrow is pregnant,and it delivers without warning.