By Akeem Aponmade
The victory of His Excellency Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde is a veritable lesson in democratic governance in a developing country. The lesson is simple: Serve the people and reap the fruits of your labour. Since the birth of the current Republic in 1999, it is without any iota of doubt that no Governor has been as people-oriented as the current occupier of Government House at Agodi. He touched the lives of the average Oyo State indigene and resident in many ways. Seyi Makinde opened Oke Ogun up for commerce from practically all directions through construction of road networks thereby linking the whole territory of Oyo State with one another.
No Government has done as many kilometres of roads like Makinde’s Government. He brought the LAUTECH debacle to a quick beneficial end. The result is an arrangement that instilled a sense of belonging in all the communities that make up this great State. Payment of any form of fees, Seyi Makinde abolished in secondary schools throughout Oyo State. He applied scientific knowledge coupled with a strong emotional intelligence to manage the COVID-pandemic in Oyo State. These are just a tip of the iceberg of the monumental achievements recorded by the Government of Oyo State under the able and humane leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde.
It is indeed paradoxical that APC ‘abducted’ the word ‘progressive’ and applied it to its identity. Meanwhile, progressivism is all about carrying out the wishes of the people; listening to the people, executing pro-people policies. Unfortunately, the deadly policies of the APC led Federal Government and even the preceding APC Government in Oyo State have been totally anti-people and all we have seen from APC Governments is arrogance of power, pompous impunity and an attitude of ‘Who can question me?’. This is where Governor Seyi Makinde’s PDP Government makes all the difference. His policies are all about the people; He listens. He follows through to act on what the people say they want. With uncommon humility, a non-existent virtue, in APC, Governor Seyi Makinde brought a fresh breath of air to Agodi Government House and the people in the State have been breathing easily since he came to power.
We should count ourselves lucky and thank the Almighty God who gave our pace setter state a kind, innovative, development-oriented, honest, transparent, and forward looking Governor who has deftly steered the ship of Oyo State in the desired direction. It is ludicrous that some people took the good people of Oyo State for granted. They took them for fools or ingrates. Men and women, adults and children all saw, felt, touched and heard of the good works of this action Governor. If people of other states do not appreciate good deeds, people of this wonderful State are different.
They took out their PVCs on the 18th day of March 2023. They marched to their respective polling units. They refused to listen to religious bigots, political merchants and propagators of Almajiri politics. They knew that their Governor has served them and he has served them well. They knew they could trust him with another term of four years of their lives. So, they used their votes to show gratitude. They rewarded Governor Oluseyi Makinde for his good deeds by massively voting for him. He emerged victorious with such a margin that convinced any doubting Thomas that Seyi se bebe (did outstandingly well) and Oyo State people indeed want Seyi ko sekan si.
I seize this opportunity to congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde for his re-election for another term. I congratulate His Excellency, the Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal. I congratulate all members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State from the party’s leadership to the DG and other members of the Campaign Organisation. Finally, I thank and congratulate the good people of Oyo State for expressing their appreciation through the ballot. May the good Lord be with our Governor, our party and the good people of Oyo State.
Long live Oyo State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Barrister Akeem Aponmade, a legal practitioner is from Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State
