One month after the anniversary of the devastating Bodija explosion, victims are still waiting for the promised support from the Oyo State Government.

Despite initial assurances, the much-needed aid remains elusive, leaving affected individuals to wonder if they have been abandoned.

In a press release issued on January 16, 2025, the Oyo State Ministry of Information announced that Governor Seyi Makinde had received the report from the special committee led by the Deputy Governor.

The statement assured that disbursement of support would commence within two weeks. However, more than four weeks have passed, and victims insist they have yet to receive any assistance.

For many, this delay is not just an administrative lapse—it is a matter of survival. Some victims are still recovering from injuries and require ongoing medical care, while others have been rendered homeless, forced to rely on relatives or struggle to find shelter.

The Oyo State Government had previously positioned itself as transparent and responsive, with Governor Makinde providing regular updates on the explosion during the GSM Media Chat. Yet, the failure to deliver on these commitments has raised doubts about the administration’s resolve to see its promises through.

As frustration mounts, there is growing concern that the Bodija explosion might become yet another forgotten tragedy in Nigeria’s long list of unfulfilled governmental pledges. It is, therefore, imperative that the Oyo State Government acts swiftly to provide the necessary relief to those affected.

Adepegba sent this piece from Bodija, Ibadan.

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The management of Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State, has solicited the support and collaboration of the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, in its effort towards the development of the institution.

Dr. Taofeek Abdul-hameed, the Polytechnic’s Rector added that the management is also striving to, among other objectives, secure philanthropic support from well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations, and associations for the purposes of achieving the core mandates of the institution, commending “kind-hearted” organisations, individuals and Ogbomoso groups for their positive contributions.

Mega Icon Magazine recalled that the Polytechnic was established by the Federal Government in 2021 along five others.

Dr. Abdul-hameed, who made the appeal last Friday, when the Polytechnic matriculated 211 pioneer students admitted for the 2022/2023 academic session at its Iresa-Pupa temporary site in Surulere local government area of Oyo State, lauded Governor Makinde’s steps taken so far to ensure the safety of the staff and students.

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Dr. Abdul-hameed delivering his address at the maiden matriculation ceremony held last Friday, in Ogbomoso

In his words, “The fact that we are here, we have been enjoying peace. Security wise, the governor has been providing the necessary security. But, like I said, more is still needed. I want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, Governor Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde for his assistance so far, just like Oliver Twist, we are still asking for more.

“We still want the governor to come to our aid, in respect of the Technical College he earlier promised he was going to release to us, we require documentation, a formal letter from him, road networks to our permanent site at Ayede, in Ogo -Oluwa Local Government, provision of buses, among others. By the next academic session, the students’ population will swell up, so we need buses to convey them for their practical and some other activities. So, whatever, he can do to assist us, we will be so glad about that”,  he added.

Speaking further, the Rector, noted that since the establishment of the institution along five others, its management has been tirelessly working to make it a cynosure of academic excellence and entrepreneurship training.

According to him, the polytechnic was envisioned to be a world-class institution for innovative and technical education, reputed for adding values to human developments through enterprising and innovative graduates.

He gave assurance that the students would experience innovation and enterprise “with a difference in this era of entrepreneurship and self-reliance campaign”.

Dr. Abdul-hameed advised the students to shun cultism, examination malpractices, hooliganism, indecent dressing, drug and sexual abuse, stressing that the polytechnic had zero tolerance for immorality and unruly behaviours.

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The death caused political seismic waves across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Before that, Governor Seyi Makinde has been looking for ways to go for the jugular of his predecessor in office, starting with the hullabaloo of vehicles purportedly removed from Government House, to the seizure of Ajimobi’s house up till today, to reversal of NURTW arrangement, to cancellation of the School Governing Board ( SGB) educational policy to gazetted Olubadan Chieftaincy title and installation of some High-Chiefs in Ibadan to “Kingship” title and neighbouring towns also benefited from the innovation, Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) reversed.

Years later, Governor Makinde is now towing the path of Ajimobi Koseleri1 under his Omi-tun tun 2.0. The NURTW/Park Manager has been unified from warring groups, and the sacked Kings of Olubadan will soon be restored including Baba Rasidi Ladoja, the former Governor of the state (unless he declines).

On Political Turv, Ajimobi’s Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has become the President and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Almost, all Oyo-State citizens and Indigenes supported and voted Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Furthermore on the Political landscape, the efforts of Ajimobi to ensure unity in APC were supplanted by intra-party bickering which made the party lose the gubernatorial election despite having the highest number in the National Assembly. The party in Oyo-State is now APC, “APPDP,” “PDAPC” “Progressive ACCORD” all sorts of arrangement, strange to political alignment since 1999. Oyo-State APC is badly fragmented and obviously and ominously the only person who can intervene is President Tinubu. Members are operating in cubicle and silos mentality.

No known Leader is willing to defer to others. The vacuum created by the demise of Abiola Ajimobi.

As all of us are remembering the demise of the late sage – Abiola Ajimobi, I used this medium to appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to return the Ajimobi’s house seized by him to the family. We appreciate you for immortalizing the late Governor Ajimobi by renaming The First Technical University, which he founded, after him. GSM heal the wound, nothing we can do about the scars – return to Ajimobi’s house.

Adeniyi Olowofela, a Professor of Geophysics (Solid Earth), former Oyo State Commissioner for Education, and Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), writes from Ibadan.

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Typical of the May 29 inauguration day in Nigeria, the new administrators made far-reaching declarations and gave words expected to rekindle hope and engender belief in themselves and their states. This was also the case in Oyo State, where Governor ‘Seyi Makinde took the oath of office for a fresh term of four years, having served his people passionately between 2019 and 2023.

Not unexpectedly, the governor, dubbed the Engineer of Modern Oyo State as a result of his impactful and visionary physical projects and human development programmes in the last four years, also had words of reassurance for his people on his vision for a greater Oyo State under Omituntun 2.0.

Renowned for his frankness and candor, Governor Makinde had, at the same historic Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, where he committed to bring about accelerated development of Oyo State on May 29, 2019, reassured residents of the state of his readiness to continue to develop the state sustainably.

In his speech heralding Omituntun 2.0, which is all about sustainable development, Governor Makinde made it clear that he would focus on completing projects started in his first administration, while also putting in place projects and policies that will make life more meaningful for residents of the state and also further expand its economy.

But as the saying goes that action speaks louder than words, the governor had the golden opportunity to prove the reassurances he so boldly proclaimed during his swearing-in when he declared the dissolution of the Park Management System (PMS), a novel initiative he introduced years earlier to address the violence, brigandage, and power tussle which had become the albatross of the transport system in Oyo State over the decades.

Shortly after taking the second term oath in which he made a fresh commitment to secure the lives and properties of Oyo State residents as he had done in the last four years, the governor matched his words with action by pulling the rug off the feet of a PMS leadership that had become the opposite of the good intention his administration had when he set it up.

No sooner had the governor, through his Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, announced the dissolution of the PMS than residents began to panic, knowing the penchant of some elements in the transport sector for violence. But the governor had immediately also proven himself as a worthy sheriff who would brook no nonsense under Omituntun 2.0 by directing the security agencies to do the needful in securing the state and also curbing whatever shenanigans the dissolved PMS leadership could throw up.

Barely four days after that dissolution, Governor Makinde brought about another novel initiative in the transport sector by uniting transport unions that hitherto didn’t see eyeball to eyeball. Like the scriptural quotation in Isaiah 65:25 that the wolf and the lamb will feed together, Governor Makinde, like a magician, has successfully fused all interests in the transport sector in the state into the new PMS. Under the reformed Park Management System, major players in the transport unions have come together and made resolutions to work together in harmony. This is an initiative that one is sure will soon be copied by other states, like Lagos State did with the PMS idea initiated by Governor Makinde.

Today, under the leadership of its new chairman, Alhaji Oluwatomiwa Omolewa alias Tommy, the Oyo State PMS has not only become reformed, the governor has successfully addressed a major source of concern for residents of the state, who have over the years, seen the transport unions as a monstrous but indispensable part of the society. In line with GSM’s avowed commitment to peace and security, the new PMS leadership has also signed into a violence-free system in which the state and all actors in the transport sector will be gainers.

If the governor’s maverick handling of the Park Management System and the effective containment of the situation that could have followed the dissolution of the old PMS leadership are to go by, then the days and months to come will be action-packed, eventful for the state, and they will bring far greater results than the last four years of the governor. Indeed, the governor has made this abundantly clear.

From the Liberty Stadium to the Thanksgiving Service at the St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, the governor’s message was apt and resounding; some things would have to be done differently to get different and better results. The governor has declared a war on thuggery, violence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and street-trading and if this war will bring about the Oyo State of everyone’s dream, this sheriff will stop at nothing to fight it to the finish.

Alao writes from Igboho, Oorelope Local Government, Oyo State.

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Oseni’s congratulatory message, contained in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity, Remi Oseni Campaign Council (ROCC), Idowu Ayodele, on Wednesday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also extended warm felicitation to the lawmakers representing Ido and Ibarapa East local governments at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Rasak Mabaje and Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin respectively on their re-election.

The APC chieftain noted that, although all powers belong to God and He gives to whoever He wishes, however, the good people of Oyo State have reaffirmed their confidence in the governor’s performance.

He added that the outcome of the election had indicated that the residents have placed their hopes in Governor Makinde, urging him to expand prosperity and improve the security of the state during this second term.

The statement read in part, “it is only God that gives power, man cannot achieve anything unless God approves of it. I want to specifically congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde on a remarkable run and by extension the lawmakers in Ido and Ibarapa East Local Governments for their successful returns to the state house of assembly.

“Your Excellency, it is imperative to also state that millions of Oyo State residents have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of political party, hope for expanded prosperity and security of lives and property during your tenure.I, therefore wish you to be magnanimous in victory”, the statement concluded.

Oseni expressed immense gratitude and appreciation to his supporters including communities, associations, volunteers as well as leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the federal constituency for their massive support throughout the elections cycle.

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The 2023 gubernatorial election has come and gone.

I thought the end has come for Governor Seyi Makinde’s government in Oyo State. But he consolidated his reelection in an unprecedented manner.

While analytically looking at pre-election situations. I told someone that Governor Makinde will loose in Ibarapa Zone, and will lose in Ido local government, while Ibadan land’s vote will be shared disproportionately between Governor Makinde, Sen. Teslim Folarin, and Chief Adebayo Adebayo Adelabu. I equally opined that the governor will lose in the Oyo zone, while Ogbomosho land will be proportionately shared between Folarin and Makinde, and Oke-Ogun I& II will vote for Teslim Folarin. Hence despite the ‘Jagba’ argument against Sen.Teslim, I still felt Folarin will still win, my bias should be understandable as a strong member of APC, and my opposition to Governor Makinde on various issues, one of which is, the attack launched against Late Governor Ajimobi at the initial commencement of Makinde’s government in 2019.

When I remember what happened to Alhaji Lam Adesina during the Alliance for Democracy’s era (AD) supporting the then President Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which consumed the late ‘Great Lam’s second term ambition, the same thing was done by Governor Makinde for the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu believing that Makinde’s fall was imminent.

Three days before the election someone told me that when you meet the peasants, the traders, the government workers, and pensioners, among others. All of them are clamouring for Governor Makinde, on the day of the election there was an allegation of voters’ inducement by money, I said in President Jonathan’s era, money was distributed, yet people still voted APC.

When you heard about the god-fathers that were against Governor Makinde, you can safely conclude that he is a “goner” but God The Father was with him.

God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God – Psalm 62:11

God, The Father has demonstrated that HE is with Seyi Makinde, on account of this I congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde on his Second Term. It’s imperative to warn the governor to stick to Agenda that endear him to the people and come up with new policies to help the State.

God bless the people of Oyo-State,
God bless Governor Seyi Makinde.

Professor Adeniyi Olowofela; is the commissioner representing Oyo state at the Federal Character Commission (FCC)

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Akande,  who raised the concern on Tuesday when he appeared for screening before  the Committee on Communication headed by Senator Oluremi Tinubu maintained that the inability of GSM service providers to capture the true identity of their clients while registering their SIM cards had further increased the level of criminality in the country.

According to the Varsity Don,  “There is no doubt that the use of communication as a tool for criminality has been on the rise. All over the world, emphasis are being  placed on the use of telecommunication as a tool of curbing crime but unfortunately in Nigeria, we are seeing the opposite where communication has become the major tool of criminality.

“The major problem is that why kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits use communication facility is that we have problem with using communication to track the identity of Nigerians who are residents of Nigeria.

“The key problem is the management of the subscriber identity module known as SIM card. We found out that there is wrong phone registration of subscribers. People register SIM cards not with their true identity and when such SIM cards are used for criminality and they are tracked, it leads to wrong people rather than the authentic perpetrators of crimes.”

He continued, “So, we have issues with management of SIM cards by the operators. Of late, the NCC and the Ministry of Communications have tried to ratify this because I recall that in the last few months under the structure of the ministry, about 2million lines have been ratified.

“There appears to be a law after that effort when in the recent weeks we have also found out that the use of telephone or mobile phones for criminality have been on the rise. What this simply means is that telecoms are not doing what they are supposed to do.

“We have a regulation but what that says is that NCC has a lot to do with regulation and enforcement. NCC could be doing but the truth of the matter is that NCC has to do more because NCC occupies a very key position in the enforcement of security in the country.

Proffering solution to the challenge, Akande, however emphasized the need for close synergy between NCC and security agencies to end the increasing wave of insecurity in the country.

“So NCC has to up its game to ensure that the telecoms operators register authentic people with the SIM cards, so that if anybody perpetrates any criminality using the SIM card, that person could be arrested and charged by the security agencies.

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He was crucified , nailed to the cross, and they were able to achieve their sole aim which was to score cheap political points, as well as short circuit his political strength and that of his party, the APC in the state.

Despite his brilliant policies tailored at improving the lives of the people, yet, they manipulated the electorates against him and made them believed that the Abiola Ajimobi led administration’s policies were anti- people without human face. The political actors were able to sell their agenda through the media and it was assumed that the ‘injuries’ inflicted by the immediate past administration in the state were unbearable. Then , mediocrity reigned supreme in every aspect of life.

Indeed, for long, when he held sway, the then Governor Abiola Ajimobi had worked assiduously for his senatorial ambition and also to install a successor. A great number of those who called the shots in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) especially those who had earlier benefitted from his political style felt disenchanted, frustrated and confused when other members of the party are about to benefit from the same political system.

Taking the risk as usual, former Deputy Governor (Operations) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Adebayo Adelabu emerged as the governorship candidate of the then ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state.

This resulted in most of the political actors in the party and members working at cross purposes with the party, which is beyond Senaco, Lamist struggle, since Ajimobi was alleged to had hijacked the party structure.

Interestingly, Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) eventually secured the gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But, for a former governor in the state, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, remaining in the PDP meant a bleak future for him. He, then left with his supporters for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and later to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) with Sharafadeen Alli, secretary to the state government, when Ladoja was Governor, while Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin remained in the ADC to pursue his governorship ambition.

At the end of it all, Chief Ladoja and others saw the need to come together to fight their common enemy – Abiola Ajimobi, who is becoming the emerging political godfather in the state. They realised that participating separately under various political umbrellas comprising the ADC, PDP and ZLP will further confirmed their enemy’s status as the political godfather in Oyo state as the coast was more clearer for the APC candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu to becoming the next occupant of the Agodi Government House.

Chief Ladoja went further to midwife and lead a collation where the major opposition parties in the state adopted Seyi Makinde of the PDP, as Sarafadeen Alli and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin sacrificed their governorship ambitions which now serves as tool for bargaining. Members of the political class insisted that Makinde occupies the Agodi Government House and the support base went beyond party line.

The coalition is the first time in the history of the state that opposition parties agreed to ‘gang up’ against the ruling party in the state.

The event which took place at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan was well attended by political elites and footsoldiers targeted at promoting the need for a change of baton. The people were continuously sensitized on why they should vote responsibly, curiously, the much awaited change has commenced and the people have changed the song .

Meanwhile, five opposition parties in the state successfully presented a coalition governorship candidate, Engr Seyi Makinde to run against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The parties in the coalition include African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Progressive Movement (NPM).

Speaking at the event, Sen. Lanlehin said, “It is no longer news that a good number of parties in Oyo state have deliberated intensely over the last few weeks and have come to the resolution that there is an urgent need to free our dear state from the shackles of outside oppression and domination.

“We have therefore decided that in order to present an effective and workable solution to the unpalatable situation where Oyo State has been remotely controlled for the past 8 years by outside forces and all manner of constituted authority, there is the need to form this alliance of political parties in the state.

“We have firmly resolved to present one candidate in the person of Engineer Oluseyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party for the office of Governor at the elections holding on 9th March, 2019.

“He shall be heading by the special grace of God and the power of the people of Oyo State, a Government of Unity which will cater for the interest of all our people irrespective of political association.”

Other governorship candidates, Sharafadeen Alli (ZLP), Bolaji Ayorinde (SDP) and Col. Feyisayo Ladoye (NPM) appealed to their supporters to vote for Makinde.

Also, in his short remarks, Chief Ladoja submitted : “It is my pleasure to present to you the agreed candidate for the election coming up on Saturday March 9, and who Insha Allah, will become governor-elect on that day, and will be subsequently sworn in on May 29 as governor of Oyo State.

“He is my son. I present to you Engineer Seyi Makinde.”

Political barriers were broken ; politicians were united in the quest to have a change of leadership in the state. In the government today, is the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and on the number one seat is Seyi Makinde. This was achieved courtesy of the agreement between the major political actors.

The members speaking incognito also disclosed that the incumbent Governor had series of agreements with members of the political class. According to a source in the know, the mutual understanding revolved round positions in cabinet, local governments and parastatals . But the source laments that Seyi Makinde refused to keep its own part of the agreement completely or to a satisfactory level , so to say .

“Look closely at his cabinet and other bodies in government, you will see the manifestations of failed agreement, where is Alli or Lanlehin? Aside from Baba Ladoja, these are the major political juggernauts in the coalition”, one of the members argued.

Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) has repeatedly maintained that governance transcends party affiliation, while assuring that he would take care of all the interests. But party loyalists find it difficult to understand the governor’s statement.

Shockingly, cracks hit the coalition parties in the state, three months after they forged an alliance that ousted the All Progressives Congress from the seat of power.

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the March 9 election, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, publicly announced his withdrawal from the alliance.

The ADC guber nominee, in a statement by his media office in Ibadan, said “I, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Solan), Oyo State Leader of the ADC, hereby announces forthwith, my personal withdrawal from the coalition with Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor.”

Lanlehin, who hinged his decision to quit the coalition on what he tagged Makinde’s non-compliance with the spirit and letters of the terms of the governorship pre-election agreement, also maintained that his party (the ADC) was at liberty to remain in the coalition, and believed it should, in fact, remain.

The former Senator added that he remained a committed member of the ADC, but would adopt a ‘siddon look’ posture in the governance of Oyo State and allied matters.

Considering the configuration of the PDP led government in Oyo state, under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde, political observers averred that the best man that can stabilize the present administration as its Scribe (Secretary to the State Government) is Akogun Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli due to his cognate experience in the art of politics and governance as a former local government chairman, ex Secretary to the State Government and ex Chairman, Oodua Investment among others.

Governor Makinde, his Chief of Staff, Oloye Bisi Ilaka and other allies in the government are from private sector with little or no experience as far as public administration and governance is concern, the political watchers added.

Fear of the unknown gripped the occupant of the Agodi Government House, believing that the Ibadan Chief, Akogun Alli, is a threat to his future political ambition and conceding such a position to him or any other relevant role may jeopardise his chances, thus a less prominent role such as an ordinary member of the state advisory council was offered to the ZLP governorship candidate with a view to regulating the growth of his political wings.

Political analysts in the state suggested that a good politician will risk it to keep the last man standing, Akogun Alli at bay, since Lanlehin is old and cannot contest again in 2023.

Though, political observers also believed that he has committed political harakiri considering the ‘kangaroo coalition’ and efforts targeted at  sending him to political oblivion, but as a political strategist, Alli has not been successfully displaced or thrown into the dustbin of history, he remains one of the threats to Makinde in 2023.

However, there are nagging questions that requires resolute answers: Was there not agreement between ZLP, PDP and ADC and others before the 2019 guber election? Why not fulfil the agreement for the sake of prosperity? Was the PDP credible enough to dislodge the APC, if not for the alliance?

Another technocrat from the private sector, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, was appointed as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM) while other juicy positions have been doled out to perceived ‘alter egos’ whom were also technocrats. Alli has remained silent and inactive  since he has tactically rejected the offer ( Member, Advisory Council).

Presently, neglected politicians are keenly studying the game and forming clusters among  themselves for future political games if the status quo remains.

For now, political climate in Oyo state is conducive for governance and development depending on Governor Seyi Makinde’s administrative acumen, but political quagmire may begin after the first two years.

GSM, When Will Alli’s Prayers Be Answered?

By Idowu Ayodele

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Congratulations on your victory at the polls. Your success, in a way, was a personal victory for me as I was one of the many who prayed and worked for your success.

Excellency, your emergence, and that of Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, as the Governor and Deputy governor of Oyo state, seems to have signalled the beginning of better things ahead for the good people of the state.

The widespread expression of love with which people continue to greet you, now fondly calling you “GSM”everywhere you go, is overwhelming. You are like a long-awaited messiah who has come to turn around the fortunes of the state.

However sir, you may just fritter away this enormous goodwill that you presently enjoy within the first 100 days in office if care is not taken. The very same people hailing you will wonder if you are indeed a messiah, or ask if they should wait for another who is to come. Whether or not this would happen is all in your hands, sir.

The euphoria of election victory is over and now is the time for you to hunker down, choose your team, and execute your campaign promises of providing succour to the improvished citizens of Oyo state. Enough of thanksgiving services at churches and mosques already. To be honest, it is becoming boring. Now is the time to give thanks to God through quality service delivery to the people of Oyo state through governance based on fairness, equity and justice. Now is the time to speedily commence fulfilling your electoral promises to the people before politicians distract you with their selfish requests.

Your excellency, now is the time to assemble men and women of impeccable reputation who will help actualise your laudable aspirations for the state.

It will not in any way speak well of your government to appoint men or women into sensitive positions when they have unresolved issues with the law bothering on fraud and misappropriation of public funds. Even though it is true that our constitution states that all are presumed innocent until proven guilty, if someone has been accused of dipping his hands into our collective purse, such a person should be given the honour of being allowed to clear his or her name. They should not be rewarded with sensitive positions in government. No matter how highly placed a person is within the Party’s hierarchy, if such a person must be compensated for whatever reason, it should be done in a way not obvious to the public.

Your excellency, the present romance with the people will not last long when you make questionable choices in picking men and women who will work with you. The opposition is patiently waiting for you to announce a choice that can be used to cause distractions for your government.

Sir, you are a very successful international business owner. You will agree with me that no person of your reputation, world over, would consider anybody with pending matters of fraud and misappropriation of funds in court for a position in their business until they are exonerated. Excellency sir, If you will not consider such persons for your own business, please resist the pressure to do so in Oyo state. Sir, by giving appointments to such persons, you may be unwittingly aiding them to destroy evidence, or intimidate potential witnesses, especially when the matter for which they were accused was committed against Oyo state.

Your Excellency, we know you are every bit of an astute man. Please do act like one. Be firm, God made you governor of Oyo state. No man should be allowed to take the credit. Don’t hand ammunition to the opposition to take pot shots at you.

Your Excellency, I also want to applaud your choice of Chief Oyebisi Ilaka as Chief of staff; Tara Adefope head of Due Process and Prof Saheed H.A Malik as Chairman, Oyo state Muslim Pilgrims Board. These appointments without any doubts, are top notch. It is a clear case of placing round pegs in round holes. I implore your Excellency, to doggedly pursue this line of excellence with which you have started. Do not allow anyone stampede you into appointing people who will bring your administration to disrepute. Your are Omititun; fresh water. Please work with fresh and young people. If we must recycle from the old, let it be people with impeccable character and integrity.

And lastly sir, do not forget to fulfil your electoral promises to the people..

Kolawole Alabi is a public analyst resident in Ibadan,

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