Why Governor Ajimobi Cant Get A Second Term In Office By Lanre Ogundipe

A few months ago when Governor Isiaka Ajimobi appointed a new set of commissioners, children of Alhaji Aseez Arisekola-Alao, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana were all prominent on the list. Whereas each of the appointees are responsible citizens of Nigeria and Oyo State on their own right, the fact cannot be lost on discerning observers that they all made the list only courtesy of the positions that their parents occupy.

And so, if any of these individuals who have been given undue consideration over other better qualified citizens begins to commend the governor for “achieving excellent governance” which ordinary people are unable to see, we must not be surprised at all. It will seem to remind us of the story of Mr. Ali and the Golden Ring in elementary studies. At ceremony in Oyo recently, both Alaafin and Alao assured Ajimobi of a second term in office because according to them, he had fulfilled his electoral promises. Interesting! Ordinarily, this blanket endorsement should suggest that the beneficiary has turned the state into an Eldorado. But is this true? Where is the evidence?

To be sure, we must respect the position of royal fathers and religious leaders. It is their duty to support and uphold any government in power. Modern governance has reduced them to subordinates of elected politicians. It must however, be noted too that history has a way of repeating itself. At the beginning of the tenure of Otunba Christopher Alao Akala, the relationship between him and Alaafin was very rosy. They were everywhere together but when the former governor attempted to assert himself, the relationship turned awry. The same is happening with the present governor.

Objectively, how has Ajimobi performed for him to warrant a second term in office? According to the Alaafin, the governor has shown that he took advice and honoured elders and the Yoruba tradition.
Besides, Oba Adeyemi said the governor had fulfilled his campaign promises and cited part of the achievements to include construction of a fly-over at Mokola, Ibadan, beautification of the environment, restoration of peace and huge road construction. Above all, he noted that the governor could not be compared with any in terms of humility and his sterling performance. Alhaji Arisekola Alao in his own speech commended the governor for transforming the state within a short period, adding it would serve the interest of the entire state to give Ajimobi another four year mandate in 2015.

Everybody is entitled to his opinion. So because Ajimobi appointed only offspring of prominent citizens, the entire society must become satisfied? Is this the traditional meaning of respect for elders? Citizens should clap while the children of kings eat on their behalf? Again many months after commissioning, neither Ajimobi nor his aides have explained the reason(s) for the astronomical cost of the Mokola flyover when compared with others across the country. His Commissioner said that compensation was paid for those whose houses were demolished in the course of construction and since we all know that no building was so demolished, the administration has refused to show evidence of such demolition or payment. The cost of road construction in Oyo State far exceeds those of the Niger Delta.

Concerning beautification, we agree that attention must be paid to the environment but the haphazard beautification programme in the state has been at great financial and economic cost to citizens. In a state where thousands graduate from tertiary institutions every year, one would have thought that particular attention would be paid to employment generation though provision of cottage industries; strengthening of existing technical colleges in addition of building more; provision of bigger and better market facilities; and modernisation of less city areas before consideration would be given to demolitions. No. The priority of Ajimobi is to destroy rather than create. How sad! Scanty attention was given to existing industrial estates.

This may also be another opportunity to quickly dispense with the issue of a turn-coat former labour leader, Mr. Ibrahim Bolomope who recently announced his decision to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (APC). The Constitution is very clear on matters concerning cross-carpeting. Bolomope will have to show evidence of division within the Accord Party to justify his illegality in court. He also stated that he betrayed the electorates to settle his troubled conscience. Bolomope is talking about conscience? Oh how sad! As a former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Bolomope as a lawmaker never gave a whimper when the administration embarked on mass sack of civil servants for flimsy reasons. He never raised objection when houses and shops were being pulled down without compensation or alternatives. This is very funny.

The looming implosion within the APC is a clear evidence that all is not well within the party. Even Ajimobi himself is not so unaware of his increasing unpopularity and that was why he in desperation, he recently resorted to base sentiments, appealing to fragments within the party to rally round him. Unfortunately, time is no longer on his side. Despite appointing the son of late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina a commissioner, loyalists of the former governor are already advising themselves on the next line of action. Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and his associates are also irreconcilably opposed to Ajimobi because of his style of leadership. The “Madam ni interest” (Madam is interested) syndrome is so choking.

In Oyo State politics, who are the progressives and who are the conservatives? Is a party progressive simply by nomenclature? Certainly not. Citizens are tired of politicians who borrowed money to run election but become instant billionaires with spouses travelling overseas weekly just to launder public funds in the name of being a progressive once they are elected.

It is alright for anybody who has been invited to “come and chop” to give millions of endorsements based on selfishness and lack of consideration for the larger society but those at the grassroots who are feeling the pinch of unemployment, destruction of their places of trade, illegal and mindless disengagement from job places know better and will speak with their votes when the time comes.

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