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Tag: Oyo State Governor-elect

  • Oyo: I’ll probe last-minute contracts, Makinde insists

    Oyo State Governor-elect Seyi Makinde yesterday insisted that he would probe last-minute contracts,  being allegedly awarded by the outgoing administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    This came as he denied attacking Ajimobi after the election.

    In a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde said his recent comments on the fresh contracts being allegedly awarded by the state government was borne out of concern for the state’s financial health rather than an attack on the person of Ajimobi.

    The governor-elect said he accords Ajimobi due respect, not only as governor but as his senior.

    Read also: Ajimobi to Makinde: shun politics of bitterness

    “But governance being a serious business, Makinde cannot look on while direct instructions are given to local government councils to spend all monies in their care, including stabilisation accounts, which are traditionally reserved for emergencies and natural disasters, even when there are no cases of emergency anywhere in the state,” Makinde said.

    He reemphasised that he would reverse any fresh contract and also punish perpetrators.

    Ajimobi had accused Makinde of attacking him personally after winning the election instead of laying bare his administration’s blueprint for the people he intends to govern.

  • Makinde vows to probe last-minute contracts in Oyo

    Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday insisted that he would probe last-minute contracts being allegedly awarded by the outgoing administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    This came as he denied attacking Ajimobi after the election.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde said his recent comments on the fresh contracts being allegedly awarded by the state government was borne out of concern for the financial health of the state rather than an attack on the person of Governor Ajimobi.

    The Governor-elect said he accords Ajimobi due respect, not only as governor but as his senior.

    Read also: March 2019 FGN bond auction oversubscribed

    “But governance being a serious business, Makinde cannot look on while direct instructions are given to local government councils to spend all monies in their care including stabilisation accounts, which are traditionally reserved for emergencies and natural disasters even when there are no cases of emergency anywhere in the state,” Makinde said.

    He re-emphasised that he would reverse any fresh contract and also punish perpetrators.

    Ajimobi had accused Makinde of attacking him personally after winning the election instead of laying bare his administration’s blueprint for the people he intends to govern.

  • I ’ll bring simplicity to governance, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor-elect Seyi Makinde has assured the people of the state that he will bring simplicity to governance.

    Makinde also pledged to do everything within his power to prevent violence from commercial drivers, when he eventually takes the reins of power on May 29.

    The governor-elect, who won on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), gave the assurance on Southwest Political Circuit, a live interview programme on Ibadan-based Fresh FM radio.

    The governor-elect said the most important value that would mark out his administration is simplicity, adding that he would use everything he has to make the state better.

    “I will keep the business of governance very simple; without any complication. We will communicate and communicate with the people. We will lead with the fear of God. I want to be remembered for simplifying the business of governance. We will work very hard for the people of Oyo State and they will be the judge. We will use everything we have to make Oyo State better,” he assured.

    Makinde also promised to protect the sanctity of any contract signed by the outgoing administration to protect investors and assure them that their investments are safe in Oyo State.

    He added that he would be transparent in all dealings, stressing that he would not witch-hunt anyone, group or organisation.

    On how he intends to further build the state’s economy, Makinde promised to look into how to improve electricity supply, build a vibrant and skilled workforce as well as sustain the peace and security across the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He assured that he would not politicise decisions.

    But, the, Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has told Makinde to stop chasing shadows and prepare for the art of governance, which will start on May 29, 2019 after the completion of second term in office of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The party said it expected Makinde to be brainstorming and focus on how to further raise the bar of governance and deliver on his electoral promises instead of raising unfounded, malicious and mischievous allegations of emptying the Oyo State treasury by his spokesperson.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde explained that the mandate of Governor Ajimobi will not lapse until 12 midnight on May 28, 2019 and he is expected to perform his responsibilities as the governor accordingly.

    He stressed that Makinde should wait for his turn to govern the state at which time, he is at liberty to scrutinise the finances of the state.

    Olatunde said the party would have ignored the rantings of Makinde’s spokesperson but for the sake of the general public who will be misled with the inflammatory and alarmist remarks.

    He added that opposition should be based on facts and issues and not mudslinging and character assassination for which the spokesperson of the governor-elect has a track record.

     

     

     

  • Aluko charges Oyo gov-elect to run people-oriented govt

    An Ibadan based business mogul Chief Akani Aluko yesterday charged the Oyo state Governor-Elect , Mr Seyi Makinde to run a people-oriented government by making the people the focal point of his administration.

    Chief Aluko particularly expressed delight at the peaceful manner the last Saturday’s governorship/ state House of Assembly election was conducted, saying that the outcome of the poll truly reflected the wishes of the people.

    But he advised the governor-elect to beware of sycophants.

    Aluko,in a statement also asked Makinde to govern with the fear of God.

    Read also: Southern Sun Ikoyi forges ahead

    He said:”We cannot but give God all the glory and also rejoiced with the governor-elect, Mr.Seyi Makinde for the well-deserved victory. A humble and amiable person, no doubt he will succeed in taking the state to greater heights.

    “ He must not let the people who have placed much confidence and trust in him down. The election showed that the people truly love him and wanted him because of his sterling qualities they saw in him. Therefore, he ensure that the people’s welfare comes first on his priority list by making the people focal point of his administration.”

  • Ibadan Obas-in-Council greets Makinde

    The Ibadan Obas-in-Council has congratulated Oyo State Governor-elect Seyi Makinde, admonishing him to walk his talk in terms of electoral promises.

    Rising from their meeting at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, the Obas-in-Council, consisting the promoted members of Olubadan-in-Council and the promoted Baales in Ibadanland, rejoiced with Makinde over his victory at the polls held across the state last Saturday.

    Makinde of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) defeated his closest rival, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

    Read also: Ajimobi to Makinde: beware of praise-singers, avoid acrimony

    In a message signed by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, on behalf of the council, the governor-elect was asked to run an all-inclusive government that would reflect the combined efforts of the forces that saw him through the excruciating election.

    Ibadan Obas said: “We are happy for the governor-elect that at last, the Almighty creator crowned his efforts of many years back with this victory. We enjoin him to be magnanimous in victory, seeing the entire state as his constituency without any form of discrimination.”

  • Obasanjo to Makinde: Don’t pocket Oyo state govt.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday advised the Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, not to run a Democratic system that would put the government of the state in his pocket.

    Obasanjo said Makinde has the onerous task of striving to transform the capital of former old Western Region, urging the people to keep supporting him to succeed when eventually sworn-in.

    The elder statesman gave the advice when he received the Governor-elect, his Deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, Oyo state chairman of PDP, Kunmi Mustapha, Bose Adedibu, wife of late Lamidi Adedibu, Lagos state PDP chairman, Dominic Agboola among others at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

    The ex-Head of States described such government that serves narrow interest as “democratic so sa po”, meaning pocketing democratic system for personal gains against true democratic system.

    He also advised Makinde to shun corruption.

    “Be transparent and embark on developmental projects, which would be a delight to the people of Oyo state. Please run a government that will be making them ask, where have this type of government been all these years in Oyo state.

    “You must give them something (positive), you must give them good democracy and not that one my younger brothers will call democratic so sa po’ (pocketing democracy).

    “Where there is misunderstanding, call yourselves( your people) together and make peace in the overall interest of Oyo state.

    “He cannot do it alone and since you have supported him now, you should continue to be together. You should be mindful that Oyo people are fearless and they don’t mind, whose oars is gored, that is why you are there now,” Obasanjo stated.

    He promised to support the incoming new government and be available anytime his service is needed.

    In his response, Makinde said the visit was meant to appreciate Baba Obasanjo and seeks wisdom from the elder statesman.

    The Governor-elect admitted that Oyo state was “in a bad shape but pledged to apply wisdom to make things better.

    “He had warned against corruption and transparency. We are very much aware of this too. With God, Oyo state will never be the same again. This is the type of visit that will give us the needed tonic to forge ahead positively in Oyo state,” he said.

    The former Deputy Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George who facilitated the visit, said he called Obasanjo barely 24hours ago to fix the appointment.

    “I want to thank him for granting us audience within the short notice,” George said.

  • Makinde, Oyo Govt. trade words over alleged last-minute spending

    Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday accused the outgoing administration of embarking on hasty payment for contracts and projects.

    But the government described the accusation as a deliberate ploy to heat up the polity and whip up sentiments.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde alleged that hush money was being ferried from government coffers at an alarming rate since the election result was announced.

    He said credible sources within government revealed that non-visible contracts were being used as a guise to cart away millions of Naira from government account with the connivance of a few civil servants.

    Makinde said that while he does not want a time-wasting holistic probe as he had promised during his campaign, he will set a dateline upon all contracts awarded and payments made under suspicious circumstances in the dying days of the current administration.

    According to the statement, he may be forced to open the books if the aim is to rush money out through foul means before May 29 and leave the state in further financial crisis.

    “Cases of unscheduled recruitments and appointments including back-dated once have also been brought before him. Government will be fair but reverse any such move without hesitation but with consequences on those found to have committed infractions of the civil service guidelines.” The statement read in part.

    Makinde said that while it was true that the out-going Governor Ajimobi wrote to banks in 2011 to stop honouring cheques from Akala’s out-going administration, he would not tow that line.

    But he warned the govt not to exhaust his patience on an issue that bothers on the livelihood of the people of the state.

    But reacting, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Toye Arulogun, insisted that financial transactions have always been transparent.

    Arulogun described the accusation as the latest in a series of propaganda by the incoming governor, stressing that it was false.

    It read: “It is a hoax intended to heat up the polity and whip up sentiments.

    “Governor Abiola Ajimobi who will be in the saddle of the state till the expiration of his tenure on May 28 2019 has been running the affairs of the State including fiscal transactions in the last eight years in a transparent manner in accordance with good governance and best practices.

    “The Oyo State Government will continue to operate in line with its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

    “At the appropriate time, the necessary machinery will be instituted for the outgoing and incoming administration to meet and establish the desirable transition obligations.”

  • Makinde: my victory was like Agbekoya revolt

    Oyo State Governor-elect Seyi Makinde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday likens his victory at the Saturday’s polls to the success of the Agbekoya struggle of 1968.

    Makinde, who spoke during a news conference in his Ikolaba home, said the victory, just like the peasants revolt, clearly showed the people’s dogged determination in spite of spirited efforts to frustrate them.

    Presenting his “thank you address to the people of Oyo State” at the conference attended by party leaders, some elected lawmakers amidst hundreds of party supporters, Makinde condemned what he described as needless, the bloodletting and killing of members of the opposition parties, which led to the death of a federal lawmaker, Mr. Olatoye Temitope (aka) Sugar, describing it as “unfortunate dent on our democracy”.

    Thanking former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Sharafadeen Alli, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde and Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and others, who sacrificed their own ambition and supported him, the incoming governor said the people had made the job easier for the party by voting in majority of the legislators for the state House of Assembly.

    He assured the people that all the promises made during the campaigns would be kept.

    Makinde said: “The political struggle of the past weeks by the people of Oyo State, particularly the elections, which took place yesterday leading to my being elected as your next governor come May this year, reminds me of the Agbekoya struggle of 1968.

    “I compare the two historical events because while the original Agbekoya struggle of 50 years ago was a peasant revolt that kicked against high taxation and tariffs, particularly of farmers by the powers-that-be, Saturday’s voting pattern, clearly showed your dogged determination in spite of spirited efforts to frustrate you.

    “The needless bloodletting, maiming and killings of members of opposition parties, which led to the death of a federal legislator, Olatoye Temitope (Sugar) and some others was an unfortunate dent on our democracy. I assure the families involved that they will not die in vain.

    “In your valour, you stood up against what you perceived to be mismanagement of your common patrimony brought about by collusion with forces outside of our shores to fleece our treasury, among other obvious misdemeanors.

    “Well, there is no need crying over spilled milk and it is for us to move forward together and for me to fulfil my campaign promises to you in the clear understanding that we will take realistic decisions together because you did not elect me to compensate me for anything, you elected me to fulfil your desire for a better life and God helping me, I will not disappointing you.”