Awolowo’s loyalist, Akinleye, quits active politics after 62 years

Mr. Akinleye says democratic exercise in this part of the world is fast becoming nothing but a miasma.

A political trainee of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, who started his political career with the defunct Action Group, AG, in 1951, Isaac Adekunjo Akinleye, has finally bowed out of partisan politics after more than six decades.

Mr Akinleye, who was elected a councillor under the AG to represent old Igan Okoto ward in Egbado-Ketu District Council in 1958 and engaged in active politics for 62 years, announced his retirement from politics in a press statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

He was also a pioneer member of the Ogun State House of Assembly in 1979 on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, also led by Mr Awolowo, and served as the Chairman of the defunct District Council in the old Egbado-Ketu Council at Ilaro.

Following the demise of UPN, he joined the Social Democratic Party, SDP, but teamed up with the United Nigeria Congress Party, UNCP, during the transition programme of the late Head of State, Sani Abacha.

At the inception of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, Mr. Akinleye joined the the All Peoples Party, APP, which later became the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. However, he defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he served in various capacities, until his retirement.

The retired politician, in the statement, explained that his decision to quit politics was as a result of the present political process which he noted, had remained tainted by corruption, brickbats, mudslinging, shenanigans, imposition, lack of ideology and self-aggrandizement by key players, particularly the leaders.

‘I have come to realize that democratic exercise in this part of the world is fast becoming nothing but a miasma without no resemblance or reflection of known democratic ethos,” Mr Akinleye lamented.

“Self aggrandizement by key players, particularly leaders who are suppose to provide political tutelage and direction for the upcoming leaders, is obviously a clear departure from what was obtainable in the past.”

He expressed fears that the pervasive political decadence that had enveloped the nation’s political landscape seemed to be a disease that required everybody’s attention particularly those with the needed experience.

Mr Akinleye expressed gratitude and appreciation to God for the opportunity offered him to contribute his little quota as an active politician to the development of the larger society

He said, “To me it has been a worthwhile experience and that’s why I feel happy to move freely and happily within the state and communities around and even after my tenure(s) and till date.

“Nonetheless, I think it is better to call it quit now. I believe there was nothing else for me to do or prove than to remain apolitical and be a father, mentor and provide tutelage and guide to friends, associates and those whosoever wish to draw from the experience God has given me.

“However, I will by the grace of God relate with people socially and politically on non partisan basis, with the believe that God has endowed me only to have seen a little if not all, and as someone who has been opportune to build comradeship and trust in people who unfortunate belongs to various political camps with varying interest and aspiration.”