YOU CANNOT STOP A MAN WHOM GOD HAS LIFTED
Reflections on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Leadership, Opposition and Divine Elevation
The political journey of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa offers an important lesson about leadership, opposition, perseverance and the mystery of elevation. His emergence did not take place on a smooth and predictable road. There were storms along the way. There were moments of uncertainty, political tensions and formidable opposition. At different stages, circumstances arose that could have discouraged a less determined person or completely altered the direction of his political journey. Yet, through it all, he remained standing.
Today, when we look back at that journey, there is a lesson that should not be ignored: a storm does not always come to terminate a journey; sometimes it becomes part of the preparation for the destination.
For those of us who believe in the sovereignty of God, political elevation cannot always be explained merely by human calculations, connections or political permutations. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 75:6–7, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Men may strategise, political groups may negotiate, parties may organise, alliances may be formed and connections may be cultivated; all these have their legitimate places in politics. Yet there are moments in the affairs of men when events unfold in ways that compel us to acknowledge a hand greater than human calculation.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has passed through his share of political storms. He has experienced opposition and difficult seasons, yet those challenges did not prevent him from arriving at his present position. That history should teach everyone involved in the politics of Ondo State an important lesson: yesterday’s storm did not stop him, and today’s disagreement does not have to become tomorrow’s destructive war.
Political disagreement is not evil. Indeed, democracy requires different opinions. People must be free to question decisions, express concerns and hold their leaders accountable. Elders of a political party also have the right to express their views. However, there is a great difference between constructive disagreement and destructive opposition. When disagreement becomes bitterness, personal warfare, sabotage or an obsession with pulling another person down, politics loses its nobility and begins to injure the very society it is supposed to serve.
This is particularly important for the APC family in Ondo State. Whatever differences may exist among stakeholders, the political reality of the present moment must be acknowledged. Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa occupies the highest elective political office in Ondo State. That position places upon him an enormous responsibility to provide leadership, build bridges, promote unity and work for the development of the state.
There may be elders with decades of political experience. There may be powerful stakeholders and influential blocs. There may be individuals with strong connections at the national level. All these relationships have their value. But political history repeatedly teaches us that influence is seasonal.
I have often said that every connection has a disconnecting road.
Today’s powerful officeholder will eventually leave office. Today’s influential connection may tomorrow become a former connection. Governments change, appointments expire, political alliances shift and centres of influence move. Therefore, wisdom demands that nobody should destroy enduring relationships because of temporary access to power.
Positions are temporary. Connections can change. But character, relationships, institutions and the verdict of history remain long after the political season has passed.
This is why those who disagree with Governor Aiyedatiwa should do so constructively. Opposition should not become enmity. Criticism should not become hatred. Political ambition should never become an excuse for tearing down the house everyone hopes to inherit.
At the same time, leadership carries its own responsibility. Those around the governor should not regard every dissenting voice as an enemy. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s victory over previous political storms should produce magnanimity rather than triumphalism. The higher God lifts a man, the greater his responsibility to demonstrate humility, wisdom, accommodation and fairness.
The strongest leader is not necessarily the one who defeats every opponent. Sometimes, the strongest leader is the one who possesses enough wisdom to turn yesterday’s opponent into tomorrow’s partner.
Ondo State needs that kind of leadership.
The elders are needed. The younger generation is needed. Party leaders are needed. Grassroots members are needed. Those who supported the governor from the beginning are needed, and even those who once disagreed with him can still contribute meaningfully to the development of the state. No individual possesses everything necessary to build a great society.
Therefore, this should not be a season for unnecessary political warfare. It should be a season for reconciliation, consultation and collective responsibility.
Those who are aggrieved should be heard. Those who have concerns should be allowed to express them. Those who have made mistakes should be willing to correct them. And those who have prevailed politically should have enough generosity of spirit to extend a hand of fellowship to others.
There is something greater than any political faction at stake: Ondo State itself.
Our politics must eventually translate into better lives for ordinary people. Leadership must produce development. Political victories must produce good governance. Party structures must ultimately serve the people. Otherwise, we may win political battles while losing the purpose for which political power exists.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s journey therefore carries a message beyond his personal political story. It reminds us that human beings must be careful about assuming that they possess absolute control over another person’s destiny.
When God permits a man to rise, opposition may test him, criticism may refine him, storms may confront him and political battles may surround him, but none of these necessarily determines the final chapter of his story.
This is why wisdom is better than endless confrontation.
Rather than spending our energy pulling one another down, let us build. Rather than allowing political differences to divide Ondo State, let us strengthen its institutions. Rather than fighting over who controls today, let us think about the Ondo State we will hand over to the generation coming tomorrow.
And to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa himself, the message must equally be clear: surviving the storm is not the destination; it is an invitation to greater responsibility.
Elevation must be justified by service.
Victory must be followed by magnanimity.
Authority must be exercised with humility.
Political leadership must ultimately produce tangible benefits for the people.
The greatest testimony will therefore not simply be that Governor Aiyedatiwa overcame those who opposed him. It will be that after overcoming political storms, he brought people together, governed wisely, developed Ondo State and left behind a legacy greater than the battles that preceded his elevation.
Let us learn from experience. Let us recognise that political seasons change. Let us remember that no human connection lasts forever. Let us respect our elders without allowing differences to destroy our common heritage. Let the elders also use their wisdom and influence to build rather than divide.
Above all, let us recognise the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men.
As Romans 8:31 asks, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
You may disagree with a man. You may challenge his policies. You may hold him accountable. But never allow political disagreement to consume you in a battle to destroy another man’s destiny.
The storm may rage, but storms do not last forever.
Connections may be powerful, but connections change.
Positions may appear permanent, but positions are temporary.
God alone determines the seasons of men.
Therefore, let wisdom prevail over bitterness, reconciliation over division, service over ambition and the progress of Ondo State over every personal political interest.
May Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa have the wisdom to lead.
May the elders have the grace to counsel.
May political stakeholders have the maturity to cooperate.
May the people experience the dividends of good governance.
And may peace, progress and unity prevail throughout Ondo State.
God bless Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
God bless the APC family.
God bless the good people of Ondo State.