Phew, how time flies!!! So, Senator Mohammed Kola Balogun, popularly known as MKB, has finished his four-year race as a lawmaker in the Senate!!!
Some four years ago, precisely February 2019, the then seemingly impossible was made possible in the political history of Oyo State.
Like the Biblical battle between the infamous Philistine General, Goliath and the underrated David, Kola Balogun (MKB), PhD, went to the battlefield, with the people not giving him a chance. But can the doubters be blamed?
No!!!
MKB was going into an electoral contest against a mighty man of valour, an incumbent governor of the state who was also seeking to return to the Senate to represent the people of Oyo South Senatorial District, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
Political watchers and analysts in the state had wondered then: How could MKB dare to seek to commit such a political harakiri? Who are those edging him on in this one-sided political battle?
It was, indeed, a fierce battle between the then all-conquering All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that was seeking to come back to reckoning, after its huge defeats, both in the 2011 and 2015 elections in the state.
Undaunted and unfazed, MKB, armed with his now famous Audacity of Grace philosophy, remained focused. He plunged headlong into the murky waters of the senatorial electoral contest.
Against all odds, and after much apprehension, MKB emerged victorious and he was declared the winner of the senatorial contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It was, indeed, a great feat unimagined!!!
Coupled with the resounding and famous 28:5 victory of its governorship candidate in the 2019 elections, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, the then main opposition party, PDP made a return to its former position as the ruling party in the state.
MKB became the only Oyo PDP senator in the National Assembly in 2019. This is even as the party, presently, has no representation in the Upper Chamber of the yet-to-be inaugurated 10th National Assembly. It lost out in the 2023 contest for the three senatorial seats.
MKB was subsequently sworn in as the senator representing the people of Oyo South Senatorial District in the ninth Senate. But does he have a smooth sail as a federal lawmaker?
He was initially encumbered and hampered from performing his duty as a legislator after he was sworn in as his main challenger, not accepting his defeat in the electoral contest, approached the court to reverse the INEC decision.
Thus, the senator, who was the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development, was distracted by a litigation that lasted up to six months.
However, just like the national electoral umpire, the judiciary upheld the result of the senatorial election held in February 2019 and found MKB a worthy occupant of the seat to represent the people of Oyo South Senatorial District in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
Finally free from all judicial encumbrances, Senator Balogun, who was also a member of some other committees of the Senate, finally settled down to attend to legislative businesses.
Outspoken and courageous, he sponsored several pro-people Bills, moved many motions and supported many others as well. MKB was the brain behind the restoration of flights at the Federal Government-owned Ibadan Airport.
His people will not easily forget his interventionist role in the high-handedness of some officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) who raided the popular Bodija and Beere markets, all in Ibadan, in the dead of the night and carted away bags of rice and money, running into millions of naira.
The list of his empowerment and training programmes for his constituents and the beneficiaries are many. That is, indeed, a topic for another discourse. But the records are there for whoever that cares and seeks to know the truth.
Following the political abracadabra over a return ticket, MKB took his exit from PDP in June 2022. Same scenario played out in his new political party, APC. He was eventually denied the opportunity to return to the Senate to further his robust and developmental legislative activities.
He, however, rejected overtures to return to PDP and pitched his tent with APC, knowing that it will be suicidal for him to be jumping political parties like a newly-married woman changing wrappers on her wedding day.
That MKB really distinguished himself as a senator is a fact beyond conjecture. His colleagues in the Senate easily attested to his brilliance; his constituents have continue to bear witness to his various interventions.
It is therefore not a surprise that many people, but the highly-placed and common, across Ibadanland, the headquarters of South-West politics, cannot but help pouring their heart-felt encomiums on a deserving MKB as he takes a bow from the ninth Senate.
Just a few of these encomiums, attesting to his legislative acumen, prowess and brilliance are captured below:
Mr Wale Ogunmola (of the famous Ogunmola Ruling House, Ibadan)
“My Distinguished Senator, congratulations on your successful completion of your tenure as the senator representing our Oyo South Senatorial District.
“The family thank you for what you are able to do for the Ogunmola Dynasty.
“I wish you a better political future. Ola o tun dara ju eni lo. Congratulations once more. Cheers.”
Alhaji Fatai Salam, (a member of the seventh Oyo State House of Assembly)
“Assalamu alaekum woramotullah wobaraka tuhu.
“Distinguished Senator sir,
“Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah!! Alhamdulillah!!!.
“I am glad to join numerous admirers who are happy with you for ending your four years tenure as a senator with remarkable and milestone achievements.
“It is a short time of four years but with life-long achievements.
“I thank and appreciate Almighty Allah who provided you the opportunity to showcase your potential into excellent performance
“In the same vein, I am personally grateful for everything good I received from you, most importantly, the unfettered access to pick my phone and call you, the assistance and support you rendered for me and people round me that have added colour and honour to my personality. I am indeed grateful sir.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will bless you with sound health, long live and better opportunity to serve people more in no distance future, aminna kufayakun.
“Worafanahu Monkana Aliya.”
Chief Bayo Oyero (former President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII)
“You are welcome home from the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
“I sincerely join those admirers of yours. It was a remarkable story of service and achievements.
“The future will be better still.
“Congratulations.”
Hon. Ismaeel Lawal (Bin Laden)
“Alhamdulilah,wa lilahi li hamdu for the journey that shall mark beginning of milestone achievement in your entire family life.
“We are proud of you.
“Warafanahu Monkana Aliya.”
Mr. Babalola (former President, Ajorosun Club)
“My Distinguished Senator, let me join numerous benefactors of yours being a senator that represented Oyo South Senatorial District.
“I appreciate you, beginning from picking my calls at anytime of the day, ranging to the Federal Government appointment you secured for my daughter and your occasional gifts at all the time.
“Thank you and more rewarding appointment is waiting for you.
“On behalf of my family home and abroad, we appreciate you sir.”
Mrs Bola Doherty, a respected Ibadan icon
“Welcome back home, the Pride of Ibadanland. You have done very well, we are very proud of you. Get ready for your higher level by the Grace of God in Jesus name.”
Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, a former Head of Service, Oyo State.
“You are welcome my distinguished You have given a good account of yourself and we are proud of you God bless.”
Mogaji Aboderin
“Congratulations my brother.”
Mr Akintunde CCII
“Congratulations sir.”
Ms Bunmi Bode Amao
“We are proud of you.”
Professor Soji Adejumo
“Distinguished, you have served and distinguished yourself. Ibadan and Oyo State will forever be proud of you. Welcome.”
Sadiq, an Ibadan indigene
“Congratulations to an icon and epitome of truth in our generation.”
Seriki Yekini Adeojo
“Congratulations.”
Anikor Comfort Enitan (one of his SAs)
“I want to use this opportunity to thank God for giving me the privilege to know you and work with you, sir.
“Instead of being a boss you were a wonderful father and a great leader. I want to thank you sincerely sir for all you did, all you are doing and all that you will do for me,
“It was a great privilege to know and to work with you sir.
“I pray that the almighty God grant you good health, more greater heights and answer all your prayers.
“I look forward to working for you again in life.
“From me and my family, thank you so much sir.”
Professor Dapo Afolabi, a former Head of Service of the Federation
“Congratulations, dear brother.”
Alhaji Olalere D Alameen
“Congratulations on your successful tenure.
Kabiyesi ooo.”
Prince Sikiru Giwa (one of his nephews)
“You’re welcome back my dear uncle.
“Nice one, I thank God for your life sir, may God continue to open the doors of opportunities for you in all your chosen ways. Amen.”
What more can be added to the avalanche of encomiums showered on this amiable, easily approachable and intelligent lawmaker?
With a dove-like look, MKB is a man of strong character and integrity. He believes that losing out in the senatorial race is not the end to his desire to serve humanity. For him, God is of critical essence in the affairs of men and it is unto Him that we are accountable.
He is full of the conviction that: any political office is a call to service; political holders are holding the offices in trust; and they must and should always be accountable to the people.
Sir, I can only wish you good health and longevity of life as you continually seek to contribute your own quota towards ensuring a better society, decent enough for people to live in, aspire for and realise their full potentials.
Welcome home, Distinguished Senator Mohammed Kola Balogun (MKB).
•Falade was Special Adviser (Media) to Senator Kola Balogun.
