Makinde: Merit or Sentiment for Second Term By Olawale Aremu

Makinde: Merit or Sentiment for Second Term

By Olawale Aremu

Let me first of all, commiserate with His Excellency and the good people of Oyo State on the passing on of His Imperial Majesty, King Adeyemi Lamidi Atanda III of Oyo Alaafin Kingdom. May his departed soul be pleased with God and grant eternal rest. 

Governor Seyi Makinde fondly referred to as GSM is currently the number one citizen of the pacesetter's state. He emerged in the poll with a landslide victory. Many thanks to the alliance forces with particular reference to the good people of Oyo State who stood their ground to resist the imposed gubernatorial candidate of the major opposition party in the state. In the pre-election period, GSM had been widely underrated by many folks. The reason could be as a result of no previous political office, his super-rich account digits, or supposed soft-spoken traits. One would not forget in a flash a saying by one of the erstwhile governors in the state, to say this in local parlance "Seyi ko, Seyi ni...."

However, going by the political antecedents of GSM, one would understand that he must have had a blueprint of what he intended to do in office. On the assumption of office, he unleashed his electioneering pledges. He made it clear at the inauguration that providing good governance was not negotiable, stating that he was of the strong belief that it is only through improved governance that the benefits of democratic development will directly impact the lives of its people. Thus, the GSM roadmap for accelerated development has not derailed till this moment. No wonder, he has made a day for himself in the Oyo State calendar called "the GSM day". GSM gives an assurance of a new lease of life to the people with his 25th payday.

It is important to note that GSM's focus on four cardinal programmes, namely; education, health, economic expansion, and security has improved tremendously though, still a work in progress. He has been able to also replicate other areas of interest, as he explained, combating poverty, ensuring that the welfare of workers and pensioners is well-attended to, sports development, youths, and women empowerment, among others.

GSM in pursuant to the Public Property and Funds (Investigation and Recovery) Panel Law, Cap 138, Vol. 4 of the Oyo State Law 2000 will look into the matter of the siphoned billions of naira traced to the contract by the immediate past administration with particular reference to a Chinese company. Nonetheless, folks in different categories of assumptions have described this effort as a way of witch-hunting the last government in the state, the governor made it clear that his intention was not a witch-hunt but to guarantee accountability. For GSM to have delivered a bill to establish an anti-corruption agency in the state and had made the commitment to relinquish his immunity to be tried by the agency if he was found wanting, opinionists therefore see the witch-hunting claim as groundless and puerile.

Oyo State is now the home of quality education. Are you asking why? The state houses the best higher institutions of learning in the country. The premier university (UI) and LAUTECH soon-to-be LAU are the best federal and state universities in Nigeria as of today. 14th Combined Special Convocation Ceremonies of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomoso was graced by GSM as the visitor to the institution. He congratulated the graduands and charged them to be resilient as they start this new striving level of their lives. Governor Makinde had the opportunity to commission the Seyi Makinde Innovation and Technology Hub (SMITH) at the university which includes new-age technological facilities as well as a multi-purpose hall built by alumni of LAUTECH.

GSM as the secretary of the just-concluded National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was able to redefine the direction of the party which played out in the amount of party's expression of interest and nomination forms as against the unbearable and theft-like amount of APC pegged at #100 million. GSM has turned the state in its nooks and crannies into construction sites. Building of ultramodern infrastructures, bridges, roads, and facelifts of different kinds.

Another adulation for this administration is the ability to listen to the yearnings and aspirations of the people. At this juncture, I put it to you knowing fully well, government and governance are a continuum, should GSM be allowed the second term in office going by his sterling strides in the management of man and material resources on merit or sentiment?