Despite the litany of my protracted oxymoronic experiences in life especially the aspect that has to do with the fierce struggle for the liberation of Osun State from the jigsaw of the reactionary group of politicians where I manned a vital outpost variously as the Editor and Managing Editor of OSUN DEFENDER Newspaper, there's need to be thankful to God Almighty.
Whenever I looked back and remembered that I had, wittingly or unwittingly, strayed into the dangerous zones of death which was orchestrated by unalloyed loyalty to an ideal, I always conclude that I am among the favourites of God.
Before, during and after the struggle to reclaim Mr Rauf Aregbesola's stolen mandate as the then Osun State governor, so many lives were lost, quite a number of housewives became widows, a sizeable number of children became orphans, some people became disabled while difficult-to-quantify properties were destroyed in the melee.
It is still fresh in my memory how some of the then loyalists of Aregbesola were dislodged from their homes for years while others were consigned to various police detention facilities and correctional centres across the state.
It's a rare divine grace that I am still among the living today especially when I remembered the attack on the Aregbesola Campaign Office, a week to Rauf's governorship election precisely on April 7, 2007.
During the attack that was suspected to have been sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I was shot at a close range by the invading political thugs who made use of AK-47 rifle for the operation.
I was also shot copiously by the rampaging PDP political thugs during the operation.
The attack left me with a bullet-torn dress around the stomach region while bullet-holes were conspicuously noticeable on the body of my car.
The attacked vehicle and my shot body instantaneously became a museum to people within and outside the state.
But if I was lucky to have escaped death by the whiskers, others who were not so lucky and made to join the great majority untimely should also be remembered.
Right from the time that Aregbesola declared his intention to govern the state to the time he ran for two terms of eight years as the state governor, so many souls either as political adherents, his family, workers and friends, were lost to the cold hand of the death.
I can recollect Ayo Kemba who was killed in Igbajo while defending Aregbesola's votes in the 2007 election.
Others are Alhaji Olajokun, Uncle Jimmy Aregbesola, Alhaja Wosilat, Engr Lash, Arole and wife, Shade Owoso, Fatai Aregbesola, Nurudeen the driver, Segun Bada, Obey the PA, Sunday Edegbai, Kemi the Cleaner, Gbenga Supervisor, Sunday the Gateman, Akeem Ilesa(an ex-councillor and Aroso The Driver.
Others are Comrade Obadofin, Dr Adetoro and wife, Alhaji Sugar, Elemona, Hon Tayo Ilupeju, Engr Akinpelu, former Ifako-Ijaiye local government chairman, Dr Jah, Raji, former Farm Manager, Prof Makinde of Awolowo Centre, Hon Lateef Raji, Chief Deji Fasuyi, Comrade Teslim Oyekanmi, Chief Gani Oladiran, Former O'Ambulance GM, Bola O'Ambulance, Chief Lomi Abiola, Hon Arabambi, Hon Wumi Oke, Alhaji Shittu, former Odo-Otin vice chairman, Engr Sabitiyu, Idowu Aina, Former PS, General Services, Baba AVG and wife, Alhaja Adepeju and Banji SSS.
Also among the death are one Pagani from Niger State, Olawoyin from Offa, Hassan from Ikire, Taiwo Olowe, Dr(Barr) Anwo from Oyan, Pepper, Barr Deji Sasegbon SAN, Adeoti from Olounda, Ope Fajemilehin, first Unique FM GM, Rev Famuyide, former Agbado-Okeodo LCDA chairman, about 12 drivers and ten police officers.
The list of the departed during the period being discussed is more than this; it's how far my memory can carry me.
May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace.
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