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Oyo Covid-19 emergency: Between public health and sophomoric politics | By Olusola Sanni
If anyone was in doubt about the notion that the people remain the centre-piece of the Seyi Makinde’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in Oyo State, the method and manner the state government has adopted to respond to the emergency situation arising from the Covid-19 pandemic should clear such doubts.
Covid-19 is a highly infectious disease and it has claimed many a life across the globe. There are 11 confirmed cases of the disease in Oyo State, with seven victims being fully treated – including the governor himself.
Just about the time that the disease broke out in Nigeria, the Oyo State government took a proactive step by promptly being one of the first states to set up a diagnostic centre at the University College Hospital in Ibadan. It also provided isolation centres in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, while the government, in partnership with a corporate organization, is also setting up 100-beds isolation centres each in Saki and Iseyin. As a proactive government, the Oyo State government has perfected plans to set up isolation centres in all the five administrative zones of the State, with the four-beds isolation centre also due to be expanded.
The State was able to do achieve the feats on setting up a diagnostic centre and isolation centres even at a time when Lagos State, which is the epicentre of the disease in Nigeria, was still grappling with getting grants from the federal government to put up a diagnostic centre.
What is commendable still is that the diagnostic centre in Ibadan remains the only in the country that was put in place by any state government without grants from either the federal government or any international donor. That goes to show how proactive the Makinde government is.
Again, while other states are busy promulgating laws on how to effect a full lockdown without any sign of concern about how that decision could affect the daily livelihood of the common people, the government in Oyo State took a different course. It is very easy and fashionable this time round for governments to decree a stay-at-home order to the people.
It is the standard procedure that governments in the Western hemisphere employed in order to flatten the curve of the spread of Coronavirus infection. But be that as it may, there is no single government from Beijing to Madrid that has caused a lockdown of their streets without a provision of palliatives for the people.
This is even more so in those countries where governments have a credible data on individuals’ businesses and returns.
In Nigeria on the other hand, many state governments have joined the bandwagon of a total lockdown not minding how that action would affect the daily living of the people.
It takes just a stroke of the pen for any governor to sign a law prohibiting people from looking for their means daily survival. But the people, who will be at the receiving end of that policy, would go through a lot of hardship to keep families whose only meal of dinner is dependent on their daytime toils. It is not even surprising that some inconsequential politicians of the opposition bulk have launched a barrage of attacks on Governor Makinde for not effecting a total lockdown of Oyo State, attacking the governor on account of his concern for the economic wellbeing of the people.
What those opposition politicians fail to remember is that unlike when their party was in government few months back, the new administration in Oyo State thinks of the people first. That is why the new government is very quick to constitute a diagnostic centre to make sure that the people of Oyo State who may get infected with the disease wouldn’t have to scamper for a facility elsewhere before they get diagnosed. It is obvious that the concern for the people is the reason why Governor Makinde is employing a partial lockdown as well.
And, in any case, there are quite a number of economic consequences that would trail a decision to cripple business activities in a state like Oyo. Apart from the fact that 75 per cent or more, of businesses in the state are largely subsistent, a state government that is embarking on an aggressive campaign of increasing its internally generated revenue figure wouldn’t make an arbitrary order shutting down businesses just because everyone else is doing so. There are 11 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 infections in the State, with seven already testing negative and no record of death. If, God forbids, the figure hikes to more concerning proportion, perhaps then, the state government could consider a total lockdown. But the statistics as of today does not reasonably justify such an extreme, obnoxious measure.
In the one week that businesses open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., there was no single case of reported infection in Oyo State. No one can conclude, therefore, that ordinary people who go about their businesses are the cause of any spread of the disease. So why would anyone advocate for a total lockdown to punish the people when the realities on the table don’t support such action? In fact, the two new cases that Oyo reported last week were those of a returnee from UAE and a close relation of an existing case of the infection. That goes to show that the Covid-19 Task Force in the state is on top of its game on contact tracking.
Across the city of Ibadan, people comply strictly with instruction on washing their hands regularly to such commendable extent that most households even have buckets of soap water and water at their entrances. Almost everyone goes about with hand sanitizers and the state government continues to make public notice announcements on social distancing.
In addition, the state is mulling the idea of promulgating a law that would provide legal framework to guide operations during the Covid-19 emergency.
The state’s Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Tuesday said that the executive council discussed the establishment of Oyo State Coronavirus Disease Emergency Prevention Regulation 2020. The law will enable the state government to have the legal framework for making the order for social distancing and the regulation of movement of transport system within the state.
The law will also check law enforcement agents in the way they deal with people in a manner that will guarantee their constitutional rights.
These are social safeguards that the Makinde government has put in place to ensure that the spread of this dreaded is contained in Oyo State while at the same time, the economy of the state is not put in jeopardy.
It is, therefore, reprehensible for one colourless politician or a political party to turn this whole thing about the Coronavirus emergency into an enterprise where they seek to make some political gains.
Olusola Sanni, a public policy analyst writes from Ibadan
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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