Governor Seyi Makinde says he has broken the glass ceiling preventing youngsters in the state from attaining whatever heights they desire with his reelection. He promised not to discriminate against his opponents during electioneering.
According to him, campaigns and elections are over. “The task ahead is to continue the good work and take our people from poverty to prosperity. We will not discriminate against those who did not support us,” the Oyo governor stated.
“This will be a government for the people of Oyo state and the progress of Oyo state.” Mr Makinde said this on Tuesday in his address during a reelection victory celebration at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran, in Ibadan.
Billionaire businessman Dotun Sanusi organised the celebration at the mini stadium of the resort.
The governor said certain circumstances and achievements aided his reelection.
Mr Makinde assured the people that his administration would not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity and political affiliations in distributing democratic dividends to them.
The governor thanked Sanusi for organising the mega party and appreciated other critical stakeholders that ensured his electoral victory in 31 of the 33 local government areas.
Mr Makinde said the electorate’s political education level was high, and the people did not allow godfathers to dictate to them.
The Oyo governor said they were building a state where everyone would have opportunities, irrespective of the son of whom they are. He said young ones could now attain whatever position they desired.
“I want our youngsters to take notice of this. There is no more glass ceiling in Oyo state. Seyi Makinde has broken all glass ceilings. I have broken the glass ceiling for the youngsters in the state. Our young ones can now attain whatever position they desire,” he said.
Governor Seyi Makinde of PDP has been declared the winner of the Oyo state governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC declared him the winner this afternoon, March 19.
According to the results released, Makinde polled a total of 563,756 votes to beat his closest rival, Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 256,685 votes, while Adebayo Adelabu of the Accord Party secured 38,357 votes.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has said he was glad to sacrifice his political career for the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president-elect of the country.
Mr Makinde added that he was not bothered, even, if he had to sacrifice his career for the country to be restructured for fairness and equity.
“I am glad to be part of those who have made efforts to redraw the electoral map of Nigeria.
“If I have to choose between my political career and doing what is right, just and equitable, I will choose to forgo my political career,” he said on Sunday during an interview on a radio station in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Mr Makinde, who would be contesting for a second term in office this weekend, had supported Mr Tinubu for the presidency at the last minute.
Mr Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the February 25 poll after defeating his main challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP).
A member of the PDP, Mr Makinde worked against Mr Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, in the February 25 presidential election.
Mr Makinde was one of the G-5 governors which included; Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), who failed to declare open support for Mr Abubakar.
Before the election, the aggrieved governors resolved not to work for Mr Abubakar’s presidential bid unless the PDP national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, was replaced by a southerner for geo-political balancing of power.
After weeks of actively plotting against Mr Abubakar through his alignment with Mr Wike and other members of the so-called G-5, Mr Makinde suddenly sent out a statement on the eve of the election that said voters should back members of the PDP, but without mentioning the party’s presidential flagbearer.
“So, if you still have any undecided voters on your list, this is the time to call them up and help them decide to vote for the PDP from top to bottom in Oyo State,” Mr Makinde said.
Party loyalists, however, dismissed his appeal as insincere, with many of them now saying they would work against his second term from within the party as a payback for his alleged betrayal that contributed to Mr Abubakar’s shortcomings at the February 25 presidential election.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo has suspended his campaign activities until further notice over unending fuel and new naira notes crisis in the state.
Mr Makinde, whose campaign trail had visited parts of the state, announced the suspension at the flag off of the Omi-Adio-Ido Road on Friday.
The suspension was contained in a statement by Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.
Mr Makinde said the suspension was in solidarity with the people over the harrowing experiences in recent time over the unending fuel and currency scarcity.
The governor, who was in Ido to continue his campaign, directed all campaign activities be suspended, noting that the people’s suffering was too much.
He said that the decision was taken because he was elected to protect the interests and wellbeing of citizens of the state.
Mr Makinde, who flagged off the Omi-Adio-Ido Road, also directed leaders of the party in the state to suspend further political activities.
“Makinde’s love for his people necessitated this unprecedented move, at this time.
“We urge all residents and citizens of the state to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together,” the governor was quoted as saying.
Governor Seyi Makinde has demanded the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Punch reported that he made the demand on Wednesday September 14, during PDP south-west stakeholders meeting in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.
Makinde said;
“Our party wants to rescue Nigeria and our candidate is a unifier. He wants to restructure Nigeria.
“Eight years of the All Progressives Congress have left us sharply divided. The issue is we must practice what we preach. If we want to unify Nigeria, we must unify the PDP first.
“If we want to restructure Nigeria, we must have the willingness to bring inclusivity to the PDP. Do we have the capacity? The answer is a resounding yes.
“The message from the south-west PDP is that the south-west is asking that the national working committee (NWC) of the PDP should be restructured.
“We are asking the national chairman to step down so that the south will be fully included. That is the message.”
The Oyo State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has threatened that there may be bloodshed in the state if Governor Seyi Makinde does not call members of the Park Management System (PMS) to order.
The NURTW in the state alleged that PMS members, led by Mukaila Lamidi, a.k.a Auxiliary were attacking its members and preventing them from collecting dues from commercial drivers.
The NURTW members issued the threat in a petition dated March 24 and signed by their counsel and a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Michael Lana.
The NURTW argued that it was illegal for the state government or the PMS to collect union dues from commercial drivers because the NURTW was not proscribed and the matter was still pending before the court.
The petition reads, “Our clients are the owners of the building lying and situated at Plot 4 Aduloju Layout along Iwo-Road, Ibadan. Our clients alleged that while on the inspection of the said building by the executive and the members of our clients today, March 24, 2022, their members were accosted by the so-called Park Managers wearing Mukaila Lamidi aka auxiliary’s caps and T-shirts with picture of Governor Seyi Makinde.
These miscreants threatened to attack our clients should they come to their office again, boasting that they have the backing of the governor of the state and could not be arrested even if they kill any of our client’s members.
“The law is that when a matter is pending before the court, neither the parties can do anything thereon. Our client has been-law abiding since 2019 when your government handed over the parks to Mukaila Lamidi aka Auxiliary thereby leaving our clients jobless to wallop in abject poverty.
“To avoid bloodshed in the state, it is better to warn Mukaila Lamidi to reign in his thugs and make no attempt to disturb out client from occupying its office.
It will also be in the interest of peace if you also warn the park managers and the local government in charge of collecting union dues from commercial drivers. We believe that as a man of peace, you will heed to our request.”
“It is of note that in the above named suit, the governor of the state deposed that it did not proscribe our client’s union, therefore, there is no order or law preventing our client from using their property.
“Kindly be informed that under Section 43 of the Constitution of Nigeria, our client has the right to own the said property and no person has the right to own their property.
Also, it has been established that the state government is not a trade union, therefore, neither it nor or its agent have the right to collect the union’s dues from commercial drivers and this is the subject of the above named suit. However, our clients have copious evidence that the so-called managers are collecting the union dues from commercial drivers in the state.”
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, said that he had to present his driver’s licence before being allowed into the venue of the PDP South-West zonal congress holding in Osogbo
Makinde made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on his arrival at the venue of the congress.
“Before I was allowed to enter into the venue, I had to show them my driver’s licence,” the governor said, adding: “we know quite sure that there must be ghost voters here.”
Ripples Nigeria gathered that the governor arrived at Children’s Development Initiative Foundation (WOCDIF), venue of the congress, at exactly 12:13 pm.
According to Makinde, getting it right at the zonal level will assist the party to perform well at national level.
He said: “This is a zonal congress and its outcome will have effect on our party at national level. If we get it right in the South-West, be sure that the future is bright for the PDP at national level.
I want to assure you that we will put in our best and it will in turn assist us at national level.
“The message for every participant is very clear, which is getting it right at the zonal level,” he said.
Makinde, who noted that the accreditation of delegates started two hours behind schedule, said it was better to start late and get the best result at the end of the day.
“The process is going on well despite the fact that accreditation started two hours behind schedule. But, it is better late than to rush through the process and have challenges.
42 aspirants were cleared by the PDP screening committee on Sunday, to contest for the various positions in the zone.
The congress will be attended by 743 delegates from across the six states in the zone.
Open grazing of herdsmen have been banned in South West states, Nigeria. Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde revealed this via his tweets as follows;
” Today, the SW governors held a security stakeholders’ meeting in Ondo State. The meeting was attended by our brother governors from Kebbi and Jigawa States; security chiefs, SW zone led by the AIG Zone 11 and leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.”
“Collectively, we resolved to ban open grazing in all parts of the south west. In Oyo State, we already have a law against open grazing which will continue to be implemented by our security agencies.”
Governor Seyi Makinde.
“I restated that we will not permit criminality as a response to criminal actions. Instead we will continue to support our security agencies to do their duties. Also, we will work with our people to face our common enemies – the criminals; kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits.”
Makinde says he hopes to get as many COVID-19 vaccines as possible for Oyo residents.
Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde, says he’s opening discussions with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to get a sufficient supply for residents of the state.
Nigeria hopes to kick off its vaccination campaign against the novel disease by the end of January 2021 with the supply of 100,000 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be focused on frontline workers.
According to the sharing formula published by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Oyo State will receive 1,848 doses of the vaccine.
Seyi Makinde
Makinde said during a media briefing on Wednesday, January 13 that the number allocated to Oyo by the Federal Government is grossly inadequate for the state’s need, prompting him to explore other methods. I have been advised that Astrazeneca vaccine is more suitable for Oyo State due to storage instructions.
“So we are opening discussions directly with the manufacturers to see how we can get as many as possible for our people,” he said.
Oyo is the fifth worst affected by COVID-19 in Nigeria where nearly 104,000 cases have been detected since last February.
A second wave of the virus kicked off in December 2020 with a sharp rise in the number of daily cases recorded nationwide.
Makinde said on Wednesday that the second wave in Oyo is not a thing because the curve was never flattened in the state to begin with.
“Rather, we had more people becoming complacent and acting as if the pandemic was over,” he said.
The governor called on residents to not let their guard down and continue to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety protocols.
In a bid to strengthen the weakening security architecture of Oyo state, governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed his intention to station interior security checkpoints between 6 to 10 kilometers of the state roads, especially roads that link the state capital to other geopolitical zones and other parts of the country.
Governor Seyi Makinde, during a dinner in Saki also disclosed that he will begin the payment of 13th-month salary to Civil servants next week.
Governor Makinde who went on an inspection tour of the ongoing Rehabilitation of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) Headquarters in Saki, and rehabilitation of the proposed Saki infectious disease center as well as the Saki Township Stadium, on Friday affirmed the need for stronger security in the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde
According to the governor, adequate security checkpoints on roads that connect the state to other parts of the country will assist in addressing insecurity challenges in the pacesetter state.
While giving his remarks on the projects inspected, Governor Makinde expressed dissatisfaction at the slow pace of work at the OYSADA Headquarters in Saki which is supposed to have been completed and handed over to the government on December 10, 2020, but is yet to be completed.
He, however, gave additional two months to the contractor in charge of the rehabilitation to complete the project, with the claim that he will re-inspect the project in March 2021.
Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday related how he missed the chance of a final moment with his late mother.
The Governor while speaking in a tribute at the Service of Songs held at The Archade of the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan as part of the funeral rites of the late mother, recounted that he had promised to see his mother the weekend after the Ondo election but was unable to pick her calls for the fear of not been able to grant her ‘suspected’ wish of stopping by to see her before the agreed time.
He added that he received the shocking news of her death the following morning noting that although the death of his mother is still a very bitter pill to swallow for him, he will forever cherish the years of relationship he had with her.
Makinde said “It is still very hard for me. The relationship that I share with my mother is like a no other one. I spoke to her on Monday immediately after the Ondo state elections and I told her that I will see her over the weekend, then, I left for Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning.
“And throughout Wednesday she was calling me and I was saying to myself that even if I pick the call, since we were out of town, it wont make any sense because I kind of guess why she was calling me, she wanted me to stop by and see her, so I didn’t pick the call.
“By Thursday morning, they came to wake me up and said, they were knocking on my mum’s door and she wouldn’t answer and then maybe about 15 to 20 minutes later, they forced the door open and they met her, she was gone.”
“It was an experience for me to have spent a little above 52years of my life with my mother. I will forever cherish that relationship.”
In his short exhortation at the event, the Vicar, St Pauls Anglican Church, Yemetu, Dr Samuel Osungbeju recounted the good deeds of the later mother of the Governor calling on others to also remember to take a cue from her.
Other speakers also spoke glowingly of the memory of the late mother at the event which was attend by former Governor Rasheed Ladoja, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, former Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, President Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Olasupo Ayokunle, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, Arch Bishop Segun Okubadejo among other notable dignitaries.
The Activities marking the funeral Service of governor Makinde’s mother, Late Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde, has begun in Grand style as Governor Makinde and other Dignitaries received the remains of his mother at his Agodi GRA residence for the lying-in-state.
The remains of Chief Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde got to the residence of one of her Sons, Governor Seyi Amid pomp and pageantry.
Governor Seyi Makinde, his Wife Tamunominini Makinde, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola, and other Dignitaries who received the remains of Late Abigail Makinde prayed to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased and offered their respect during the Lying in State.
Other Dignitaries, Government functionaries, have also been visiting the home of Governor Seyi Makinde to pay their last respect to Madam Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde ahead of other Subsequent Funeral Services.
Governor Makinde, while appreciating the dignitaries who thronged to his residence to pay his mother last respect, noted that he missed his mother and wished she could still be in the land of the living but appreciated God for the fulfilled life his mother lived while on earth.
Mama Abigail omojolagbe Makinde Nee Omoregie died in the early hours of Thursday, October 15, 2020, at the age of 80 and is expected to be buried this Friday.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone of the N1.5 Billion Bodija Premium Estate, saying that the state is prepared to work with authentic investors to lower the housing deficiency in the state.
The governor executed the foundation laying ceremony at Oba Akinyele Street, Bodija Estate, Ibadan, saying that one of the benefits of the project is that there will be a greater rise in the internally generated revenue of the state on land premium through enacted charges and enhanced taxes.
Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, in his statement indicated that Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, stated that the project is situated on premium land spanning 12,209.45 square metres. According to him: “Bodija Premium Estate was birthed when Project Scope Limited bidded competitively for this State-owned moribund asset as advertised by the Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA).
“This is yet again, one of the clear evidences of a transparent political will backed by this administration to encourage and attract investments into Oyo State. This investment is valued at N1.5 Billion.”
He explained that the Bodija Premium Estate will comprise 45 housing units consisting of six (6) units of 2-bedroom flats in 4 blocks; twelve (12) units of 3-bedroom flats in 4 blocks; fifteen (15) units of 3-bedroom terraced houses; and twelve (12) units of 4-bedroom semi-detached duplexes.
Other features of the estate are to include Club House, Gym, Swimming Pool and Children’s play area, quality infrastructure drains, roads, security house/access control and alternative power supply, water, sanitation and waste disposal systems.
“We will continue to ensure that our processes are transparent and fast in a bid to make Oyo State the preferred investment destination in Nigeria,” the governor added.
He said the project will be completed within 18 to 24 months, noting that indigenous artisans and building materials suppliers within the state will be engaged by the company.
Earlier, the chairman, Housing Corporation of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal, hinted that when the project is fully developed in 18 months, it will be another day for the state to celebrate.
“This particular project is unique in all ramifications, as it is meant to provide for high-end users within Bodija Estate
“It is not going to be a massive project, it is for high end users and that is why when we decided to go on partnership, we sourced for those people who have the capacity to bring about the kind of project that we envisioned within the Bodija Estate.
“We have 45 housing units to be developed by Project Scope and I understand that they will do this within the timeline specified, because the major constraint that developers of their kind often face is that of funding. But they have given us assurance that funding is not a problem. So, we can look up to the 18 months timeline for completion and delivery of the project.
“You will agree also that this is just high-end housing units, which is not for the masses because of the cost. This administration is taking care gradually to address mass production and delivery of housing units.
“Your Excellency Sir, we appreciate you indeed because you have given this kind of arrangement full support, the arrangement of PPP. There is no way by which we will begin to build one housing unit here and there and expect that we will bridge the gap of housing delivery in Oyo State; but this kind of arrangement has provided a big opportunity for people of Oyo State to access housing units in large numbers.”
In his response, the Managing Director, Project Scope Company, Alhaji Omodele Rufai, said that the company will build a high-quality project, premium luxury and the best of the best.
He said that the project is targeted at growing upwardly mobile demographic, which, according to him, will rejuvenate Bodija generally and add value to the Oyo State Government.
“I congratulate Oyo State and its people on the achievement of the laudable objectives of Governor Seyi Makinde.
“We are bringing in nothing less than a billion Naira investment into Oyo State with the added value of having direct cash in-flow into the economy. We are using local suppliers, local artisans. We are buying materials locally. We are paying taxes for the people working here. So, it is a double-value-sided arrangement.
“Having said this, we encourage everyone here to spread the work that we are doing here.”
The Ibadan Book Club (a book reading arm of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers – Oyo State Chapter) has described the Oyo state government owned libraries which are spread across the nooks and crannies of Oyo state as Cemeteries of dead books.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Coordinator of the Club in Ibadan on Thursday.
The first book reading club in Oyo State made the comment after a week tour to some of the libraries.
Ibadan Book Club further berated the nonchalant attitude of Oyo Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and the Management of the Oyo State Library Board toward reading culture and tradition in Oyo state.
It would be recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde recently appointed some individuals as Chairman and members into the state library board. Some of the recently appointed individuals are not even stakeholders in the state’s book industry.
Ibadan is known as home to many reputable publishing firms and stakeholders in the book industry. Oyo state is currently home to famous publishing firms like Book Craft, Ibadan University Press, Evans Brothers Publishers, Spectrum Publishers, HEBN, Kraft Books, Macmillan Publishers, Rashmed to mention but few yet her libraries are full of outdated and moribund books.
On the problems confronting some of these libraries, Wole Adedoyin listed some of them as lack of awareness programs, budgetary constraints, inadequate library materials, lack of trained and skilled manpower and lack of appropriate government policy, lack of digital library facilities and lack of information literacy.
Adedoyin finally urged Gov. Seyi Makinde to pay attention to the state libraries, equip them with modern and relevant curriculum based books. And also explore all avenues to make reading attractive and friendly to the students and youths of the state.
The Oyo state government, on Monday, said necessary machinery has been put in motion to promote civil servants who were denied promotions during the reigns of the immediate past administration in the state.
The government also disclosed that efforts have been intensified to employ more legal practitioners into the service of the Oyo state government in a bid to reduce the backlog of court cases in the state.
The chairman, Oyo state civil service commission, Mr. Kamarudeen Aderibigbe, disclosed these in a chat with newsmen during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan.
Engr Seyi Makinde ( Oyo state governor)
According to him, the executive governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde has ordered the commission to look into the plights of the civil servants and correct the abnormalities introduced into the civil service commission by the immediate past government.
Also speaking, a principal officer in the administration of governor Seyi Makinde who doubles as the governor’s director-general of protocol, Mr. Adegboyega Badejo, maintained that governor Makinde acknowledged teachers as partners in progress in nation-building, noting that the reward for teachers in Oyo state will not be limited to their monthly salaries.
He, however, called on other governors in the Southwest region to emulate the leadership style of governor Seyi Makinde to contribute meaningfully well to the livelihood of their citizens as well as the leaders of tomorrow.
Following the SARS protest that occured in Ogbomosho which led to loss of lives and properties, Governor Seyi Makinde paid a visit to Ogbomosho yesterday. The Oyo state governor gave a report of his meetings yesterday through his social media platform.
He stated the following;
Today, we visited Ogbomoso to see the families of three of our children who died during the End SARS protests. We began the process of compensating the families for the losses they suffered and promised to do more in the coming days.
Our hearts go out to all those who have suffered directly and indirectly during these protests. As a government, we will not forget the last few days in a hurry nor the needless deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo.
We were also at the Palace of Kabiyesi, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomoso. We pledged the sum of N100 Million to begin immediate repairs of the palace and replacement of destroyed properties.
We told Kabiyesi not to hold what has happened against our children. Although regretted, all that took place was a result of the years of failure of governance which we are working to correct. We accepted Kabiyesi’s prayers for a better Nigeria and a better Oyo State.
We also spoke with our children in Ogbomoso. We assured them that their agitations were not unfounded. But that we needed to remain peaceful even in protest. We assured them that we were doing all in our power to attack the root cause of these protests.
We returned to the secretariat in Ibadan to speak with our other children who had been waiting all day. We reassured them that these protests are a wake-up call to all. We pledged to do better to meet the needs of young people, especially for employment and a safer environment.
I informed them that our Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, would work with the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State to ensure that all those who were arrested during the End SARS protests are released without being charged.
God-fatherism in politics has been existing way back before I was born. If you think god-fatherism never existed in Oyo state, that is very wrong. Late Adedibu during his lifetime used to be a powerful godfather in Oyo state and a saviour to his numerous thugs.
The sitting governor in Oyo state at that time (2003) , Senator Rashidi Ladoja seemed to be a figure head to many while Adedibu was indirectly trying to control the state. There were times in broad day light when Adedibu’s thugs took over the metropolis shooting and causing chaos. What about rumours of how those thugs forcefully acquired land from people who worked hard to own it?
Senator Rashidi Ladoja
Adedibu’s influence was not restricted to only Oyo state. It reached other south western states in Nigeria. There was an interview he had and he was referring to the then governor of osun state, he said and I quote ;
“Sebí omo dada ni gomina osun. Ti mo ba ti lo ki, o ma n ko nkan kabiti si eyin buutu Mi. Isu ko ni o da si ibe , owó ni.”
Meaning that, the then governor of osun state was a good son and anytime he visited him, he used to load his booth with money and not with yam.
After school closing hours, even school children were not safe. Fortunately, my siblings and I didn’t have to go home ourselves after closing time. My heart raced each time I sighted a thug on bike, riding carelessly past the vehicle in which I was. Late Adedibu suceeded in impeaching Ladoja with the support of his cohorts on January 2006. Precisely after 11 months, on December 2006, Ladoja won the case in court and got his mandate back as governor of the state.
However when Governor Obaseki of Edo state and Adams Oshiomole ( a typical godfather ) started having issues before the 2020 Edo state elections, I thought of the old days of god-fatherism in Oyo state.
Oyo politics is dynamic! After Ladoja completed his tenure , the free spending Christopher Alao Akala was elected as governor. Then, the season film started. I wasn’t old enough to understand politicians’ gimmicks before then, hence my personal observation started. You see, anytime a wrong leader is voted into power , the civil servants suffer first , then others follow. Thank God for where Oyo state stands today, it is a big revolution. I’m not done yet, I’m still going doing the memory lane.
Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala
Akala took over as governor like a careless spender in disguise as a free giver. People around him enjoyed but what about those working for the state? He made a statement then and I quote;
“I can’t break into the bank in order to pay worker’s salaries”.
My thoughts are, “what happened to maximizing opportunities in the state and generating more revenue inorder to keep up with the state’s expenses? ” . Oyo people got tired of Akala and as the 2011 elections approached, campaign was intensified by candidates contesting to be the next governor…this includes Akala. Well it happened, Akala lost and Senator Abiola Ajimobi won the gubernatorial election. However, as the late legendary afrobeat singer, Fela kuti said in his words, “suffer suffer”. The “suffer suffer” season began!
Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi
Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi was sworn in as governor and well, his first achivement was the 13 months salary he decided to pay workers on December. However, the claimed 13 months salary was relatively a stipend, not a full salary. The narrow flyover constructed at Mokola was another achievement for him, amongst other things he did. Mind you, I can say not for clout but fact that the flyover was not well constructed because it is very hard to sight an on coming vehicle.This describes how narrow the flyover is.
After series of road constructions and other achievements, the war between the state government and workers started. Ajimobi started owing workers salaries , as much as 7months. Amidst the debts, he sacked so many workers unjustly and notwithstanding, kept on troubling them by observing very frequent screenings. Many workers lost their lives via road accident, as he mandated them to make their certificates available during the numerous screenings.
Of course , workers had to obtain their certificates from various institutions across the country. Some workers lost their lives in road accidents, others lost their lives due to depression and underlying health issues they could no longer afford to treat , as a result of lacking stable income. Ajimobi kept on sacking and suspending workers , yet didn’t replace them with new intakes. As if that wasn’t enough , he demolished buildings without compensating the people involved. Yet, he didn’t set up new infrastructures in places he demolished.
During the time Ajimobi was serving as governor, he made a statement in the church during a service for the late Oba Odulana Odugade( the former Olubadan of Ibadan) and I quote ;
“I cannot use money meant to develop the state to pay worker’s salaries”.
Oyo has seen bad days and if the people are rejoicing today because Engr. Seyi Makinde is in power, go back to the memory lane. Unfortunately for Oyo people, Ajimobi governed the state for 8 years , it was about the survival of the fittest. Even entrepreneurs felt the heat, money wasn’t circulating but there was enough funds to support campaign for 2019 elections. Ajimobi contested for the senate but lost. His gubernatorial candidate ,“Adelabu”, also lost the election. Rain fell on that day , it was a glorious day for Oyo People as Seyi Makinde won the gubernatorial election.
His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde (Oyo state governor today).
Ajimobi could have been a godfather if his gubernatorial candidate had won the election. Oyo politics seems to be moving and for the first time in a long while, the people finally have a voice. Hey, Oyo revolution is God’s plan.
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Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
