Some over fifty years ago, in the firmament of Akotogbo, a star was born that will beam it’s light across the globe! Indeed, whenever and wherever his name is mentioned, what readily comes to mind are unparalleled greatness, humility, resilience, excellence and success. He demonstrated his penchant to dare from childhood, the same character trait that has seen him succeed in everything he sets out to do – including where others failed miserably.
Barrister Morayo Lebi had his secondary education at Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, from where he passed out with distinction and later graduated from University of Lagos where he studied law. He has made his marks as a successful lawyer where he has committed almost 30 years. He has also extended his tentacles to other business endeavours. The string of professional awards, honours and recognitions that have come the way of Barr Morayo Lebi attest to his contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s legal practice in particular and the economy in general.
In 2014, he succumbed to the pressure of heeding the clarion calls of his people to join Politics so as to elevate the standard of both the political game and the practitioners. After all, politics is the vehicle through which majority of the people can be served.
The fanciful or the normal thing expected of him when he joined Politics in 2014 was to join the ruling party, PDP. Barrister Lebi shunned all entreaties to join the ruling party and pitched his tent with the little known party then, APC. He deployed his personal resources to build the party in Ondo state, especially, in the southern Senatorial District that comprises six local government areas. It’s on record that he virtually rented and furnished most of the party’s secretariats, from ward to the state levels.
Twice he contested to represent his people as a Senator, twice he was denied. The last experience was so provoking and disgraceful. How can you deny a high ranking, committed, popular, loyal and resourceful member of your party the right of contesting in primary elections? The dire political consequences of such misguided decision has been seen by all and sundry!
Despite the unwanrranted humiliation, Barr Morayo Lebi held his cool. He’s got the capacity to rock the boat. As Lawyer, he knows what to do, he had other options as indeed, he became the beautiful bride that all other parties wanted.
Like it was said of Jesus in Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. .” Of course, Barr Lebi is far from being a hapless lamb. Restraining oneself from negative reactions even when one has the capacity to do so in the face of undeserved persecution is the height of maturity! Hopefully, the party leadership is aware of this huge sacrifices, loyalty and maturity exhibited by BML in the face of provocation, such fidelity to higher virtues should be reciprocated and rewarded soonest.
Abuja beckons…
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