The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo

  • Can PDP/Accord merger work in Oyo?

    Can PDP/Accord merger work in Oyo?

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State is trying to reposition itself, following its defeat in last year’s polls. Its proposed accord with the Accord Party (AP) may herald a realignment of opposition forces, ahead of 2019 elections, reports BISI OLADELE.

    The Oyo State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is projecting into 2019. The crisis-ridden chapter is trying to put its electoral defeat behind it by taking  actions that may forestall another electoral calamity. Its leaders have swallowed their pride. They are now reaching out to a former chieftain, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is the leader of the Accord Party (AP) in the state. They are appealing to the former governor to return to the party, in a bid to rebuild it ahead of the 2019 elections.

    In their view, only a re-energised PDP can confront the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, at the polls. Their decision, according to sources, was hinged on the results of the 2011 and 2015 elections. The popular thinking is that the PDP and the AP lost because they refused to work together.

    In the 2011 election, then Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was the PDP candidate. Other factions  worked against the success of the party. While PDP chieftains pretended to have supported him,  they secretly supported other parties.

    A strong and major faction, led by Ladoja, had opted out to join the Accord Party in 2010. Ladoja, who is its leader and its governorship candidate, contested with Ajimobi of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Alao-Akala of the PDP. Ajimobi defeated them at the poll.

    The crisis that rocked the PDP got worse during Ajimobi’s first term.  In 2015, the PDP had further split, with the Alao-Akala faction defecting to the Labour Party (LP) and the Wole Oyelese and Seyi Makinde groups defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Thus, while there were only three strong candidates in the 2011 governorship election, two of who were originally PDP members – Ladoja and Alao-Akala – additional two PDP candidates emerged in the last year’s election. While former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin flew the PDP flag, Makinde flew the SDP flag.

    As ource, who hinted about the proposed PDP/Accord deal, said: “Now that they have tried it twice individually and realised the futility of personal efforts, they are coming back to bring Ladoja back into the party to strengthen it.” The source, an Accord Party chieftain, said the deal can work, if there is commitment.

    Throughout the years of division, which plunged the party into electoral woes, Ladoja and Alao-Akala remained the most significant candidates, trailing Ajimobi at the polls.  But Alao-Akala has since joined the APC after losing in the 2015 election.

    In the new realignment, according to sources, are Folarin, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide and Senator Ayo Adeseun. They are determined to re-integrate Ladoja into the party and possibly hand over the leadership to him.

    Why the alignment?

    A reliable source in the PDP explained that the party has managed to remain popular party in the state, adding that,  if its scattered members can come together, it can spring a surprise.  The source stressed: “Let me tell you that our party (PDP) is the single largest party in Oyo State. The failure to harmonise our personal interests has been responsible for the division which seems to have weakened the party. But now that we are coming together, and with determination, you will see that we will regain our strength and send the APC packing in no time.”

    The Nation learnt that the PDP leaders chose to swallow their pride on realising that their political future was bleak, if they remained factionalised. Having lost at the federal level, and not willing to join forces with the APC because of differences, they concluded that no individual can survive on its own, except he join forces with like minds to present a formidable platform that has the capacity to win election. “It is better to have the hope of gaining power in the future than having no hope, no matter how great one’s personal strength is,” a source said.

    Another PDP chieftain said: “Our options are not many. It’s either we come together and win elections or we don’t come together and lose.”

    The current dynamics in the APC a also play a role in forcing PDP members to consider realignment. Ajimobi’s second term will expire in 2019. The PDP is planning to produce his successor.

    Also, there is no other major figure in the APC that can be regarded as a ‘Governor-in–waiting.’ If Senator Olufemi Lanlehin had remained in the APC, eyes would have been on him as a likely successor.  It is not clear if any of the three serving senators has governorship ambition. Indeed, they are not perceived as men of strong candidates by the PDP.

    Among the six ACN governorship aspirants in 2011, only two of them, Soji Akanbi, who is now a senator and Dr Bayo Adewusi, who recently returned to the APC from the Accord Party, are keen.

    In the view of PDP leaders, it is important at this time to bring the juggernauts together under a strong umbrella to prepare for a victorious run against the APC in the 2019 elections.

    Also, the PDP believes that the poor financial situation of the state foisted by dwindling federal allocations has affected governance and the PDP can make it a campaign issue and ride on it to regain its acceptance.

     

    Challenges

    As in other human efforts, the re-alignment will face some challenges from Ladoja and his party, the ruling APC.  Another factor is the public perception of the PDP, owing to its inglorious past in the state.

    The first major challenge against the alignment is likely to come from Ladoja and his followers. The former governor and his followers see themselves as a huge force to reckon with in the state. For this reason, Accord is likely to present terms that will give it more privileges over others. The party will most likely ask for the overall leadership to be ceded to Ladoja and insist on primary for all positions, believing that it has more members and also enjoys more support among the people than the PDP.

    This position will partly be strengthened by the fact that Ladoja and his followers left the PDP for Accord in 2010. Ladoja was illegally impeached and his deputy, Alao-Akala, worked against him during the preparations for  the 2007 elections. The party ditched Ladoja for Alao-Akala, the latter having been endorsed by the strongman, the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu, during the crisis that seized the party.

    Ladoja is opposed to the PDP’s style of leadership. He will likely present terms that will allow him to control the party as he currently does in the Accord Party. But, that may not go down well with other PDP members.

    Also, should the realignment show signs of success, the APC will likely ensure that those who defected from the PDP are rewarded to prevent them from going back.

    The APC is also likely to make moves to attract more PDP members to further strengthen its own popularity, ahead of the next election. If the alignment succeeds, the party will also face the burden of acceptance after disappointing the people when it led the state twice in the past.

    When the PDP was in power between 2003 and 2007, Oyo State under former Governor Ladoja was plunged into chaos. It was difficult for Adedibu to control Ladoja.  The protracted crisis led to the rise of many miscreants, particularly in Ibadan, many of who inflicted violence on innocent people.

    The culture of violence continued, and even grew worse, when Alao-Akala governed between 2007 and 2011. If the on-going corruption allegations against PDP national figures is added, the party faces a tough hurdle of gaining acceptance from the people of the state.

    Prospects of re-alignment

    Politicians are die hard optimists. They can work out possibility out of difficult situations. Therefore, the PDP and the Accord Party may surmount the challenges. Having lost elections twice, and with the current stain on the PDP’s name at the national level, gladiators may not find it difficult to drop personal ambitions.

    If it succeeds, the new PDP will obviously put the APC on its toes. It will also force the APC to present its best candidates in the next election. The re-alignment may toughen the political space.

    Former House of Representatives Majority Leader Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande applauded the proposed merger. She said it should be given a trial, adding that it may change the face of the opposition in Oyo State.

    As stakeholders await the workability of the merger talks, the political space remains fluid for participants to reshape the road to 2019 elections in Oyo State.

  • Anxiety in Oyo PDP over delay in Sheriff’s visit

    Anxiety in Oyo PDP over delay in Sheriff’s visit

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State are anxious, following the non-apperance of the National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, in Ibadan, the state capital, to “seal the merger plans between the party and Accord”.

    The PDP chairman was unable to attend the planned meeting with Accord leadership because he was reportedly held down in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State capital.

    It was learnt that the meeting in Uyo was heated and  Sheriff could not leave without first resolving the issues  satisfactorily.

    The PDP chairman was slated to meet with Senator Rashidi Ladoja and other Accord leaders to seal merger plans between the two parties. They were to meet at Ladoja’s Bodija, Ibadan home yesterday.

    But a source said Sheriff would visit Ladoja today or tomorrow.

    The source said the two parties were still awaiting the confirmation of the new date from the PDP chairman.

    The delay has, however, caused anxiety among PDP members due to the limited time left for ward, local government and state congresses to hold in preparation for the national convention slated for May 21.

    It was learnt that ward congresses are slated for next week. The implication is that if the PDP chairman fails to come and seal the merger plans, Accord members, who are in large number, may be shut out of the process, thereby foreclosing the planned merger.

    A top leader of the party said the Oyo State chapter might have to excuse itself from the congress pending the conclusion of the merger plans.

    “Our house is more important to us now. We need to first put our house in order before anything else. It is important.

    “So, if these rebuilding efforts are not concluded before the national convention, we may have to ask for permission to opt out until we are able to conclude our efforts.” the source said.

    But the Publicity Secretary, Kehinde Salawu, believes that the remaining one week is enough to perfect the merger plans in as much as both parties will agree on who takes what without necessarily going through the long process of an actual primary.

  • Firm revamps Oyo community’s cassava processing cottage

    In continuation of its policy of investing in communities to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers across Nigeria, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has rehabilitated the Cassava Processing Cottage at Ago-Are, in Atisbo Local Government Area of Oyo State. The facility was originally inaugurated and handed over to the community in December 2004.

    According to the Executive Director, BATNF, Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade, the rehabilitation became necessary due to expansion of agricultural activities, especially the cassava value-chain enterprise. Besides, the Ago-Are agrarian community, last year, had requested of the foundation a facility expansion to increase cassava processing into various derivatives.

    She revealed that the rehabilitation of Ago-Are Cassava Processing Cottage signposts the foundation’s commitment to supporting efforts targeted at alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers.

    “Our work in supporting smallholder farmers in rural communities in Nigeria is our answer to the challenge of poverty and our approach to transforming the society to self-sufficient people who can feed themselves, earn an income from their farms through processing and feed the larger population.

    “So far, the foundation has established community development projects in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, some of which have resulted in wealth creation and food security,” Ashade said.

    While urging the smallholder farmers to take advantage of the initiative to enhance their livelihood, Ashade expressed optimism that with the handing over of the facilities, the foundation believes that the beneficiaries and the community at large, will put the equipment into proper use in order to increase their productivity and income, thereby making life more meaningful for the beneficiaries, their households and the socio-economic life of the community.

    Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was represented at the event by the Director of Rural Community Development in Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Pastor Yode Ayanlowo, said BATNF’s impressive agricultural interventions and development agenda have given indigenes of the state a renewed sense of hope. He reiterated government’s willingness to continue to partner with the foundation in its transformation drive by engendering an enabling environment.

    “Cassava plays a remarkable role in the agricultural development of Nigeria, especially in Oyo State, as it has transformed from a minor crop to a major crop. Importantly, Nigeria is believed to be the highest producer of cassava in the world, and by extension the highest consumer, leaving nearly nothing for export. This, however, requires a concerted effort to increase production of the commodity. We hereby assure BATNF of our continuous support and co-operation,” Ajimobi said.

    While inaugurating the Cassava Processing Cottage, the Aare of Ago-Are, His Royal Highness, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, commended the exemplary role of BATNF in alleviating poverty among smallholder farmers. He added that the foundation is reputed for its wealth creation agenda among smallholder farmers.

    “For the reason that agriculture is key to food security, it therefore becomes necessary to support and encourage smallholder farmers through periodic incentives that would enable them to earn a better living,” the monarch said, even as he acknowledged the BATNF’s giant strides in agricultural development in his community.

    He urged the organisation to also extend its interventionist schemes to the area of provision of potable water so as to enhance the livelihood of members of the community.

  • Allocation-for-salary: Will it benefit Oyo workers?

    Allocation-for-salary: Will it benefit Oyo workers?

    Labour has reached an agreement with Oyo State Government that the total monthly allocations be devoted to salary payment.Workers are excited; government is also at peace. BISI OLADELE looks at the possible threats to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

    When organised labour issued a seven-day ultimatum to Oyo State  Government last March 29 over salary arrears, it set the stage for a possible showdown over the matter.

    The ultimatum was issued in Ibadan the state capital, by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC).

    The NLC Chairman, Comrade Waheed Olojede, announced the ultimatum at a press briefing,  warning that government workers would down tools if the government fails to dialogue with them within the given period.

    He said the unions had considered the prevailing condition of workers and pensioners, who were being owed five months salaries then and the government’s alleged failure to accede to previous requests.

    Olojede said the situation had pauperised workers, adding that their productivity, diligence and commitment would be hinged on how they are treated.

    “If government fails to meet the leadership of the labour movement in the state, we may not be able to guarantee continued industrial peace beyond the stipulated time,” he said.

    But while sympathising with workers, the government, in a quick response, decried the ultimatum, saying it ran contrary to last year’s agreement signed by both parties on how salaries would be paid.

    A statement by Mr Yomi Layinka, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said: “To say the least, the unfortunate situation (of inability to pay salaries) foisted on the country by the dwindling accruals from oil, the country’s major source of revenue, is a major concern to all and it is highly regrettable.

    “While the government empathises with workers and pensioners over the attendant inability to pay salaries and other emoluments as it usually did in the past, we solicit continued understanding of labour over the matter.

    “Meanwhile, it is important to note that leadership of the labour unions and the state government have had a very robust understanding on this matter long before now, following which an agreement was signed on the modality for the payment of salaries as finances are available.

    “Indeed, the options of reduced salaries and reduction in an otherwise bloated workforce were considered but deferred in concession to the workers; instead a staggered salary payment strategy was proposed by labour and acceded to by government.

    “To this end, it was agreed that about 90 per cent of income accruing from the state’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account should be dedicated to the workers while the remaining 10 per cent would be deployed to the running of other aspects of governance.

    “Till date, the state government has not reneged on the letter and spirit of that agreement.  The ultimatum issued by labour is, therefore, not only surprising but also unnecessary and uncalled for in the prevailing circumstance.”

    The following day, the two parties met to iron out their differences.

    After the meeting, the leader of the government team, Mr Olalekan Alli, explained that both parties were already reaching a truce, adding that labour leaders had apologised for acting in ways that breached last year’s agreement.

    Alli, who is a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), advised labour leaders to refrain from threats and ultimatum that run against the spirit and letter of the agreement to use about 90 per cent of federal allocation accruing to the state for salaries.

    Alli said: “At the meeting (on Friday) the state government re-affirmed its compliance with the subsisting agreement with labour whereby 90 per cent of allocation from the Federation Account is devoted to payment of salaries and wages of workers on monthly basis.

    “The government also observed that the present conduct of labour was at variance and in total disregard for due process, labour law and practice. In view of the foregoing, the government believes that labour is being insensitive and confrontational.

    “However, the labour leaders denied the allegations and apologised accordingly. It further assured the government of its co-operation and maintenance of industrial harmony in the state.”

    The former SSG said the apology has been accepted by the government and the governor has consequently directed that the subsisting agreement be adhered to pending the exploration by the government and labour of further avenues to improve the revenue of the state.

    Alli added that the Friday meeting reached a consensus that the 10-month old agreement between labour and government subsists and that the government had no intention of reneging on any term of the said agreement.

    In the spirit of collective responsibility, he stated that both parties also agreed to collaborate and evolve ways of blocking all financial leakages in the system with a view to jacking up the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the state.

    “That all financial leakages need to be jointly and urgently plugged by employing strategies including elimination of ghost workers from the salary bill of our workers as well as identification, arrest and prosecution of fraudsters within the system.

    “That a more positive and creative disposition is critical for turning around these times of adversity. It was resolved that all concerned should have learnt some lessons after this brief period of unnecessary and avoidable altercation,” the former SSG said.

    But the meeting could not placate workers. They insisted on meeting with the governor before the expiration of the ultimatum.

    Ajimobi finally joined them on Thursday for a final meeting during which a review of the former agreement was undertaken. The new agreement that evolved from the meeting ceded 100 per cent of the state’s federal allocation to payment of workers’ salaries.

    The state government, however, declined request by the labour leaders that the IGR also be used to complement the federal allocation where there is a shortfall.

    But the governor agreed to the setting up of the Joint Revenue Mobilisation Committee which will draw membership from both labour and government. The committee is to identify areas of wastages and plug them with a view to increasing the state’s IGR.

    It was further agreed that incremental difference in the future would be shared by both the government and labour to shore up funds for salaries.

    The committee is to be supervised by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    It was also agreed that the MoU would be reviewed time and again as situation demands.

    Addressing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Olojede said: “In our critical review, we discovered that devoting 90 per cent of Federal Government allocation to payment of salaries could not stand the test of time, because salaries kept running into arrears. We then agreed that henceforth, the entire 100 per cent of whatever comes from Abuja as federal allocation would be spent to pay workers salaries.”

    The new deal has been hailed by workers, according to Olojede as it raised their hope of getting salaries more regularly.

    The labour leader also revealed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had offered states with salary issues a moratorium of 20 years, meaning that deductions from allocations of those states would be stopped or reduced to the minimum to allow them a lease of life for the moment.

     

  • Oyo workers happy with new govt deal

    Oyo workers happy with new govt deal

    The Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Oyo State, Waheed Olojede, spoke yesterday of workers’ excitement with the new deal of using the state’s federal allocation for payment of salaries.

    Olojede, who spoke with our correspondent yesterday, said he had been receiving telephone calls from workers since Friday, thanking him and members of his negotiating team for getting such a good deal from the government.

    The NLC chairman explained that dialogue remained an effective tool in getting good welfare for workers without necessarily being confrontational.

    The labour leader expressed satisfaction with the new deal, saying it would go far in ameliorating the negative impact of lack of salaries for workers.

    Organised Labour and the government met three times last week to resolve the logjam created by a seven-day ultimatum issued to the government.

    Both parties agreed on a review of the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which led to another agreement of using the entire monthly allocation for salaries.

    Addressing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Olojede said: “In our critical review, we discovered that devoting 90 per cent of Federal Government allocation to payment of salaries could not stand the test of time, because salaries kept running into arrears.

    “We then agreed that henceforth, the entire 100 per cent of whatever comes from Abuja as federal allocation would be spent to pay workers salaries.”

    He said the new agreement raises hope of payment of some of the arrears soon.

  • Oyo votes entire federal allocation for workers’ salaries

    Oyo votes entire federal allocation for workers’ salaries

    The Oyo State government has agreed to commit its entire share of Federal Allocation to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions in the state.

    This decision was contained in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the end of a meeting between the government’s negotiating team led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the Labour led by Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Mr. Waheed Olojede.

    Following a review of the existing MoU where 90 percent of the monthly federal allocation is committed to the payment of salaries and pension, the two parties agreed that the entire allocation would now be devoted to payment of workers’ wages.

    The state government however declined request by the labour leaders, asking that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) also be used to complement the federal allocation where there is a shortfall.

    It was further agreed that a Joint Revenue Mobilisation Committee under the supervision by the office of the Secretary to the State Government, be set up to seek ways to increase the state IGR.

    Addressing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, Olojede said, “In our critical review, we discovered that devoting 90 percent of FG allocation to payment of salaries could not stand the test of time, because salaries kept running into arrears. We then agreed that henceforth, the entire 100 percent of whatever comes from Abuja as federal allocation would be spent to pay workers salaries.”

     

  • Panic as police, students clash in Oyo

    Panic as police, students clash in Oyo

    There was panic yesterday in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State as police and students of Eruwa Polytechnic clashed, following their protest against the management of the school.

    It was learnt that the students were protesting the dismissal of students of Higher National Diploma (HND) Business Administration and hike in fees charged for late registration.

    A source said: “The students were protesting the introduction of late registration fees and dismissal of HND One students of Business Administration.”

    The protest, it was gathered did not go down with the management which called in the police.

    In the ensuing melee, a male student was shot and a female student had an asthma attack.

    The two students are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

    Explaining further, the source said: “The affected HND One students of Business Administration were told to go home after being admitted and paying their fees. They have even been receiving lectures. The school now said they cannot admit them again, telling them to go home and come back next session.”

    The source said the school management hinged their excuse on the fact that the affected students studied Public Administration for their National Diploma (ND).

    It added that the students insisted that the management gave them go ahead to apply for Business Administration for their HND programme which they complied.

    On this premise, according to our source, the students were admitted but were surprised when the management made a U-turn and sent them packing through a notice on the board.

    As if that was not enough, while the students were appealing the decision, the source noted that the students requested that the management return all monies, especially school fees, paid to the management.

    But they were shocked as the management told them that when they return next session, it will be sorted out.”

    The second reason for their protest centered on payment of late registration fees for both the Daily Part Time (DPP) and full time students.

    It was gathered that the students were appealing to the management that most of their parents who work as civil servants are being owed several months of salary.

    The two sections of students affected under this category are DPP students who pay N37,500  and their full time counterparts who are paying N28,250 as their school fees were billed additional N2,500 as late registration fees and N300 as bank charges.

    It was also gathered that students were forced to remain indoors till around 5pm yesterday for fear of arrest while others were detained at Sango police station, Eruwa.

    All efforts to reach the management for their reaction on the development proved abortive.

    One of the school’s principal officers confirmed the incident but declined to comment on the reason for the protest.

     

  • ‘Hijab not banned in Oyo’

    ‘Hijab not banned in Oyo’

    THE Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has dispelled rumours that the Oyo State government has banned the use of Hijab.

    The group’s chairman, Ishaq Sanni and Secretary Murziq Siyanbade said the government had directed the use of Hijab for whoever wishes to use it.

    They said: “Even though, the Muslim community noticed non-compliance by some recalcitrant and overzealous head teachers, we are working with the appropriate authorities to reverse the trend.

    “It is therefore in bad taste for any group to insinuate that the government has banned the use of Hijab.”

     

  • Oyo: Why all hands must be on deck

    While the nation was preparing for the 2015 general elections across the country, several political permutations were flying around. Many Nigerians turned political analysts; the rank of strategists swelled as every discussion became what can be described as political gymnastics.

    In Oyo State, one point that dominated public discourse was the hitherto assumption that no civilian governor ever won a second term.  Commentators held on to this assumption with religious fervor and conviction.

    At some point it became a herculean task for the supporters of the incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi to persuade the naysayers that it was not cast in stone that a governor cannot rule for two terms of eight years. It was of particular interest that all through the period, not once was Governor Ajimobi accused of incompetence or any other reason adduced on why he should not or could not be given another chance to be at the helms of affairs of the state. Here was a governor who was on top of sundry challenges facing the people in every area of human endeavour, resolving some and ameliorating the  effects of other harsh developments in the socio-economic terrain of the Pace-Setter state which he inherited.

    When Ajimobi mounted the saddle in the Agodi Government House in 2011, the capital city of Ibadan soon began to take on a clean and orderly look that a report actually branded Ibadan as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria! Almost everything that had become chronic negative attribute of the ancient sprawling city began to fade away. From inappropriate parking of vehicles along roadsides which created traffic logjams to criminal activities of notorious and unruly National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to dumping of wastes which formed mountains that were an eyesore, all disappeared. All because the man at the helm meant well for the state and had plans to make life comfortable for its residents.

    It was a sharp departure from the situation his administration met on ground more in particular in the area of security where criminals nearly ran law abiding citizens out of the streets of the state. Apart from the menace of commercial drivers, mounting robbery incidents turned the previously peaceful state to a lawless society with lives increasingly becoming short and brutish.

    The governor had to deploy his experience in the corporate world with his humble disposition, deep intelligence and good human relations to tackle these and other problems. While some of these problems were man made others were a manifestation of deep seated socio-economic malaise caused by previous maladministration and some cultural peculiarities.

    It was in view of the much visible success that Senator Ajimobi made out of his first term in office that many observers were surprised at the stubborn insistence of those who argued that he would not win the 2015 governorship election. Some of these critics were even from his own party, All Progressive Congress (APC). But he worked hard and had result to show for a successful tenure.

    No doubt, there was a formidable contest from opposition parties significantly, the Peoples democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP), Labour Party (LP) and to a lesser extent, the Social Democratic Party (SDP). At the end of the polls however, the APC which flag the incumbent flew won the highest votes and thus he was declared winner and given the mandate thus breaking the jinx of second term on the governor’s seat in Oyo State.

    Ordinarily, the declaration of a winner in an electoral contest more so in a democracy should have ended with the loser embracing the winner or if desired begin to brace up for the future. But in the case of Oyo State, while other contestants have accepted their fate in good faith, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, a former governor of the state who contested on the ticket of Accord Party went to challenge the result. On the other hand, another former governor, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala who contested in the same election on the platform of Labour party to which he defected from PDP tugged his personal interest underneath to join hands with Senator Ajimobi to work for the peace, progress and development of the Pace Setter State.

    In all of this, the state chief executive has remained his simple self, focused and strategic in the pragmatic way he administers the state.  In order for the benefit of his systemic approach to governance to percolate to every sector, there is need for all stakeholders to get involved rather than stand aloof or continue to criticize everything government is doing. The opinions one hears in conversations on the street, that is, inside taxis, at newspaper stands, drinking places and after worship chats point to one salient fact: many citizens want much more from government. Unfortunately, these expectations, legitimate as they may be, do not often reflect in the responsibilities the people themselves are willing to embrace. Many people look at government as a machine which is primed only to dispense what they want rather than a system to co-ordinate and provide what the majority need and which require their own input as well. They will rather imagine that they only obliged a leader with their votes and do not see it as an investment in which they have a part to play. What the electorate must know is that they are a critical part of the democratic process from which they expect adequate dividends.

    Or where do affordable healthcare, good education, clean and healthy environment, food and social security come from? These indices of human development are the often quoted benefits of the synergy between a people and their government. After all, governments come and governments go, it is the people that remain. As government works at providing good governance even in the face of dwindling national resources due to global economic distress, the need for support from the people cannot be over emphasized. They must be ready to accept the new paradigm shift in view of the reality that it can no longer be business as usual even though this may sound unpalatable especially in the ears of cynics and detractors. The citizens are being encouraged to appreciate that it would naturally take some time and their co-operation especially in the area of income taxation for government to do such things that make life and living meaningful.

    There is the need to let people know that government can only have the resources to do more for greater number of citizens if public infrastructures are collectively protected from plunderers and vandals, if every community imbibes the spirit of volunteerism and learn to offer useful, constructive and genuine criticism with patriotic and non-sinister motive.

    Finally, one category of Oyo State residents that cannot afford to abstain from the shared responsibility for development is the youth. This is because they are the natural inheritors of the good days ahead if government succeeds in providing good governance. They must not allow their spirit to sink even in the face of evident challenges of unemployment, disappointment in today’s leadership or other hindrances, but they must reinvent, deploy the advantage in new technology to take their place in their respective spheres of influence and take the state to the height of their dream.

    In all, everybody must endeavour to bear the inevitable moment of hunger while the soup cooks properly,   especially when the mother, in this case the state government, is not unconcerned about their plight.

    • Morakinyo writes from Ibadan.     
  • Police arrest 11 robbery suspects in Oyo

    Police arrest 11 robbery suspects in Oyo

    •Recover 18 vehicles

    Eleven robbery suspects have been arrested by the police in Oyo State with 18 assorted vehicles recovered from them.

    The suspects, who were paraded yesterday at the state Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, included two ex-convicts who were released from prison few weeks ago.

    Police Commissioner Leye Oyebade said the suspects have given confessional statements and they would soon be arraigned in court.

    The police boss said the command would continue to improve on its strategies to ensure that the state is rid of criminals.

    Oyebade said a gang of four- Olusola Adenle (37), Femi Rasaq (23), Paul Olaitan (20) and Sani Abdulahi (26) – broke into a house at Egbeda and carted away various household items.

    “The suspects, who were armed, had planned to attack their victims who might want to resist.

    “Investigations revealed that the hoodlums usually come from Ikire, Osun State. They are responsible for series of burglaries and robberies in Ibadan and other parts of the state,” he said.

    An ex-convict, Olaitan, said he was a Mass Communication student of the Polytechnic Ibadan before he was expelled from the school.

    Another ex-convict, Rasaq, said he went into crime because he was fond of it, adding that he is a trained barber.

    Michael Oladele (25), who was arrested while trying to sell a Nissan vehicle in Ekiti State, said he was forced into car snatching because he had no job.

    Recovered from the suspects were one locally made double barrel pistol, seven live cartridges, one Honda Accord with registration number JJJ 691AX, one Toyota Camry with registration number AKD 226 DN, anotherToyota Camry with registration number AAA 593 DL, one LG Plasma TV, one Toshiba Plasma TV, one unregistered Toyota Highlander, one green Toyota Highlander with registration number ABJ 42 KU and a grey unregistered Toyota Camry.