Rain, which many residents of the University of Ibadan have termed “omi tuntun” (sign of new dawn), has yesterday done a great deal of wreck to some amenities of the university.
Many of the respondents our reporter spoke with believe that the rain had come to cleanse what they called “penkele’s mess” — a term used to describe the largesse given to Halls of residence in the school a week ago.
Mr Adebayo Adelabu, earlier last week campaigned with N2.5million — N250,000 to each of 10 halls in the school. A money he said the students could use for “akara and bread”.
Coming a week to the governorship election, the gesture was seen by many as vote buying while some student leaders saw it as an avenue to enrich themselves.
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, whose grandfather, Adegoke Adelabu, was a prominent Oyo politician in the 50’s, all through his campaign used Penkelemeesi as his campaign catchphrase.
Penkelemeesi, originally peculiar mess, but was corrupted by locals, was made popular by the older Adelabu.
Having lost the polling units in the university, it was believed that the largesse by the APC flagbearer was to appease the voters in the school.
However, it turned out not to work as the party again lost in the same manner it did a fortnight ago.
With the downpours experienced on the election day, many claimed it is a sign of new dawn as it has washed off the bad omen brought by the party’s luck in the school.
Bayo Seyi, a student of Electioneering Science, told Yesterday’s Today that he’s proud of the way UItes showed that their votes can’t be bought.
“As you can see, we did not follow the crowd. He [Adebayo Adelabu] gave our Halls money and our so-called student leaders shared the money among themselves — instead of using it for a meaningful project.
“So, because God watches all that we do, he made rain to fall to wash out all the evils of the land. Omi tuntun de! Omi tuntun has washed off all the mess.”
Labu Makinde another student of Voting Engineering shares this belief too. She said she believes that the damages done by the rain on the school has connection with the booty shared a week ago.
She added that it is good UItes are “showing others the way.”
“That is why we are the first and the best. I wonder where the student leaders who got the money and pocketed it would put their faces now. Let them bury their faces in shame.
“I’m really disappointed in them. How would you spend money meant for all among few? It is bad. Same set of people would blame the government for wrongdoing. They don’t know it all starts from this stage.
“Well, I’m happy that God has shown them their wrongdoing by making them lose in spite of the money. Omi tuntun has come to clean up their mess, the penkele mess.”
The formal announcement of results is ongoing at the state INEC collation headquarters, Agodi Secretariat, Oyo State.
So far, PDP has won far more local governments than the APC.
Election bookmakers and voting experts have predicted that it is only if the sun goes cold or Governor Ajimobi apologizes to all residents of the state before the APC can overturn the deficit so far.
Reports also have it that the governor is already packing his bags and planning to return to Lebanon.
Caveat: This is a work of satire. Names or anything that has semblance with them, persons, wise or otherwise, offices, high or low, authorities, constituted or unconstituted, are as a result mixture of the author’s imagination and inspiration from Above, and any semblance of actual persons, far or near, organizations or body is the handiwork of Mr Coincidence. You have been told. Don’t say we haven’t!
