Politics
You can’t add any value to democracy, governance, Oyo APC fires back at Makinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has ruled out the possibility of Governor Seyi Makinde making any appreciable impact in the lives of the people of the state after the expiration of his four-year tenure as the party said the governor lacked the democratic credentials and managerial acumen to move the state forward as desired by all and sundry.
Speaking against the background of a statement credited to Governor Makinde last Thursday wherein the Oyo state helmsman was quoted to have said that the APC had been rejected by God, the former ruling party in the state described the governor’s remarks as “reckless, outrageous and provocative”.
Contained in a statement issued on Friday, on behalf of the Oyo APC Caretaker Committee, and signed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, the party regretted that Governor Makinde had refused to learn the rudiments of active politicking and public engagement despite the fact that he had been contesting elections since 2007.
“We wonder what could have prompted Governor Makinde to utter those disgusting statement he made on Thursday while playing host to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who came to Ibadan to remind the world about his roles in the needless sociopolitical crisis which the PDP foisted on Oyo state between 2003 and 2007 as members of the PDP allowed their greed and corruption instincts to drag the state backward.
“PDP has never been a promoter of peace, security and good governance in Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole. The presence of Governor Makinde’s new godfather at the Agodi Government Secretariat brought back a sad memory of sponsored brigandage, subversion of democratic principles and sociopolitical misfortunes in the land and, as if that was not enough, the governor shocked the whole world when he stated that he was following the foot steps of Obasanjo.
“Governor Makinde must have been carried away by the euphoria of decorating his new godfather when he pronounced the APC as having been rejected by God. Was he referring to the APC which had won about 75 per cent of isolated and bye elections conducted in the country in recent times? Could he have spoken about the same APC which receive current members of the National Assembly elected on the platform of the PDP and other parties into its fold in droves? Why is Oyo PDP under Gov. Makinde failing in its attempts to woo APC faithful with millions of naira and thus resorting to unveiling its own members as new decampees in some local government areas?
“Rather than sit up and change his cosmetic approach to governance in the Pacesetter state, Gov. Makinde is going down deep in the sea of “audio performance” and self-delusion. Under him, nowhere is safe again in the state as hoodlums, kidnappers, armed robbers, assassins among others carry out out their criminal activities frequently without resistance from any quarters. The State Secretariat in Agodi is not spared as cases of burglary and theft happen every time.
“Oyo state now has a governor who is only good at taking loans for every project regardless of whether such project is desirable or not. 18 months after, we have had many billions of naira attached to different projects but nothing is on ground to show for it. Staff of state-owned tertiary institutions groan, students and staff of public primary and secondary schools have become victims of fake free education programme while trade unions such as NURTW, NULGE, NUT and SSANIP are at loggerheads with the same governor who is not at peace with his party elders and leaders.
“In an ideal situation, Governor Makinde should, by now, be explaining to the people of the state how he spent over N9.3 billion on 106 units of light buses which he brought to the state capital with fanfare few days ago. Having grounded the third tier of government completely, the governor has put the treasuries of the 33 local government councils and 37 local council development areas under his own feet as he dictates what they do with their allocations and internally generated revenues”, the statement concluded.
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Adeolu Akande, has made a fervent appeal to factions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to reconcile and unite ahead of the forthcoming local council election.
Addressing party chairmen and chairmanship candidates from the 10 local government areas of Oke Ogun zone, Akande emphasised the critical need for solidarity within the party ranks to secure victory in the elections scheduled for this month.
Highlighting the significance of unity within the party, the former Governor Ajimobi’s aide underscored that Oyo State is inherently an APC stronghold, but internal conflicts hampered the party’s performance in the previous election.
He urged members to set aside their differences and focus on the common goal of delivering a progressive government to the people of the state.
Speaking during the gathering in Otu, headquarters of Itesiwaju Local Government area, Akande stressed the imperative of forgiveness and reconciliation, emphasising that the party’s success hinges on unity. He lauded the efforts of the national leadership in fostering reconciliation, urging members to embrace the spirit of unity.
As a gesture of support, the ex-NCC gaffer provided financial assistance amounting to N500,000 to each of the 10 local government areas to bolster their preparations for the upcoming April 27 election.
The event was attended by APC Chairmen and Chairmanship candidates from the Oke Ogun Zone, alongside 21 former local government chairmen, demonstrating a collective commitment to the party’s success in the forthcoming election.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state was in Ido town, headquarters of the Ido Local Government to campaign for himself on Monday.
Local Government Election have been slated for April 27 of this year and the Governor is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that he is declared winner by OYSIEC.
Do I sound confusing? Definitely not.
Governor Makinde is the contestant for the position of Local Government Chairman in the 33 Local Governments in Oyo state.
Reason? The Governor doubles as the State’s Chief Executive as well as the de facto Chairman of the 33 Local Governments while the 33 clowns parading themselves as the Councils’helmsmen are just Chairmen de jure.
What the Yorubas call “Esin inu iwe”.
I will use two incidents that happened simultaneously today to prove what is already known and accepted by the general public, albeit, arguably.
While Governor Makinde was dancing to some Fuji music in Ido town during the campaign rally, the chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, one Hon. Kehinde Akande was in a live debate at Fresh FM with the APC candidate, Dr. Abogun and his statements were quite revealing.
A direct question regarding his view about autonomy and independence of Local Governments was put to him by the moderator, Isaac Brown and his response leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
The fellow, sadly and slavishly said that he has no problems with the decision of the Governor (Seyi Makinde) to directly monitor the expenditures of the Local Governments, since, according to him, it was for the purpose of probity and accountability!
This was coming from the Chairman of one of the most populous if not the most populous in Oyo state.
Like his peers who have one time or the other appeared on Radio, he could not point to any tangible project done by him and why would he?
The Governor calls the shots.
This is just on a lighter note, Hon. Kehinde Akande can not correctly identify the collation centre for ward 12 in a Local Government where he had been chairman for almost four years.
That underline the level of redundancy of this fellows parading themselves as Council Chairmen and on whose sake Governor Makinde incurred billions of Naira as judgment debts.
Now, to Governor Makinde’s campaign in Ido.
Is it not interesting that the Governor was in Ido and he didn’t Commission any project done by the Local Government?
In the times of his predecessors, such occasions were used to Commission projects done by the Local Government Chairmen but what will Governor Makinde Commission?
Nothing.
Nothing, because all the projects he mentioned during the campaign rally like the Omi Adio – Ido Road and others were attached to the state Government, even though, the funds were that of the Local Government.
Similarly, all the projects he promised to embark upon in the coming months within the Local Government like the modernisation of the Omi Adio market are projects he will usurp as usual, using the Councils’funds.
If not for the fact that Governor Makinde requires some pliant individuals who will sign out the Councils’funds for him to expend, I bet, there won’t be Local Government Chairmen during his tenure.
A lot of examples abound to confirm Governor Makinde’s illegal usurpation of the functions of the Local Government Chairmen.
Akesan Market is another typical example.
The April 27 Local Government Election is between Governor Makinde as grand Chairman of the 33 Local Governments and the opposition political parties.
The 33 gentlemen flying the tickets for the PDP are just necessary proxies.
I will not dissipate energy on the Governor’s uncharitable boasts that the opposition should wait for another three years, when he would still be the Governor to conduct another election.
I will rather call on the people of the state to be united in removing the “Ajeles” he has foisted on the Local Governments.
Oyo state can not afford another three years of Governor Makinde’s mismanagement of the Local Government resources.
He has bled the state enough through over bloated contracts and debts.
All residents of the state should consider the April 27 Local Government Election as an opportunity to at least salvage the 33 Local Governments from the suffocating hold of the Governor.
Like I said earlier, Oyo state can not afford another three years of continual looting of the Local Governments through the proxies of the Governor.
One would wonder what business the Governor has in the ” modernisation” of Omi Adio market.
Maintenance of the market is purely the responsibility of the Local Government Chairman but under Governor Makinde, even the Parks and abattoirs are directly run by the Governor.
That is the reason why the Local Governments have become comatose.
They have no means of generating IGR as all avenues have been taken away from them by the Governor.
Now, you tell me, Isn’t Governor Makinde not the one contesting on April 27?
Sola Abegunde writes from Oyo State
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, faces a tumultuous time as members of his ward, the Ganduje Ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have suspended him.
It was announced by the Executive Council of Ganduje Ward, led by Haruna Gwanjo, during a press briefing in Kano on Monday.
The suspension comes amidst lingering corruption allegations, notably surrounding a viral video from 2017 depicting Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollar notes as a bribe and stuffing them into his garments.
Despite Ganduje’s initial denial and maintenance of innocence, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration, under Governor Abba Yusuf, has reopened the case.
The Kano High Court is set to arraign Ganduje on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, on charges including bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds.
Mega Icon Magazine gathered that the allegations involve the purported acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes. The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, confirmed that Ganduje, along with his wife and six others, will face trial.
The Yusuf administration has vowed to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of the State High Court, indicating the seriousness with which the case is being pursued.
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