By RICHARD AKINNOLA
Baba Alado was a political principality in Mushin, Lagos. When the National Conscience party (NCP) founded by Gani Fawehinmi was registered barely three months to the 2003 general elections, Gani encouraged a number of us to contest.
While he contested for the presidency, l contested for the House of Representatives for Mushin 2 Federal constituency.
As we started our campaigns, one name consistently rang: the name of Baba Alado. He was a political principality and powers combined for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), as far as Mushin was concerned. He was feared.
We were warned not to cross his path. However, when the aluta spirit was at work, fear had no place.
Reports from previous election indicated that the polling booth for that street was located inside his sitting room.
We were warned not to cross his path. However, when the aluta spirit was at work, fear had no place. We campaigned vigorously. We didn’t have money but we had grit, boldness and commitment. We were fearless. We were determined to confront the political principality and we did. Each time we finished our Sunday ward meeting, we would congregate in front of his house to chant our party slogan. We were sending him strong messages that we were not the usual politicians that groveled before political war lords. It was a psychological war and it worked. I even once came to campaign to him. He received me warmly. E don tey wey l don dey craze.
In previous election, only agent of AD was allowed at the polling booth situated in his sitting room. When it got to 2003, we confronted the malaise. We had our agent in his sitting room. And guess what? I defeated the AD candidate inside Baba Alado’s sitting room! I dymistified him.
That victory notwithstanding, the old political fox still waxed stronger in Mushin politics.
Rest in power, Baba Alado.
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