Among the late Abiola Ajimobi’s controversial political statements was the one he made while hosting the then governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, deputy governor-elect, Rauf Olaniyan and other PDP chieftains at the palatial government house, Ibadan on March, 14 2019. “Oyo people are tough to govern”, Ajimobi was reported to have blasted in his characteristic candid, frank and witty manner.
In response, Makinde was quoted to have countered that his approach to governance would contrast sharply from that of the self-style ‘constituted authority’. In effect, Makinde’s statement that day effectively laid the groundwork for the direction and dimension of his administration. And that historic and symbolic moment between late Ajimobi and Makinde helped to douse tension, calm fraying nerves and cement the place of Oyo as a truly pace setting state where politics can be set aside for the peace, and progress of the people.
While that rare chitchat offered a sort of truce between the APC and PDP, the bickering that followed would soon fracture the relationship between late Ajimobi and Makinde. For instance, right from the swearing in ceremony, Governor Makinde swiftly embarked on fulfilling some of his campaign promises, some of which was to UNDO many of Ajimobi’s contentious legacies. First was the cancelation of the one thousand school levy imposed on public school students. The other was the Governor’s choice of his private residence over the official government house that has played host to successive governors since 1979.
And for the next six years, the official residence of the state government would be left in the tableau of ruins. For one, that deliberate abandonment and neglect left the gigantic and architectural masterpiece in an embarrassing state, paving the way for its infrastructure to be invested by rats, encroached by cockroaches and overcome by weeds. Until this week when Governor Makinde announced a plan to reconstruct the edifice for a heart shattering N63.4 billion naira! Amid the current economic hardship in the state, Makinde’s government decision quickly came under barrage of acerbic criticism for daring to fix the house that he intentionally left to wither for years. As it is with such development, opinions on the subject were mixed with many arguing that when Makinde’s government came on board, fixing the residence wasn’t the administration’s topmost priority.
To have a clearer perspective, it helps to understand politics, spirituality and psychology that underpin the choice of most governor’s private residences over official government quarters. Take Abia State. In the twilight of governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, swift efforts were made to complete the multi-billion naira state government house project, with a view to creating a befitting official residence for the new administration. However, instead of residing in the official apartment, governor Alex Otti resorted to his private residence where he has conducted the business of governance for the past 24 months.
When asked, Otti repeatedly quipped that the building that was announced completed by the Ikpeazu’s administration was never completed nor habitable for human beings. For the past two years of Otti’s administration, as expected, the building’s health has deteriorated and suffered from neglect and lack of maintenance. The government is now considering converting the palatial mansion into a five-star hotel. “This place appears inhabitable”, Abia Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kano contented while conducting journalists through the building “There are no wardrobes anywhere. Most of what we saw were just halls and empty halls”. He asked rhetorically “Did anybody see any wardrobe in any of the floors? There were no wardrobes. So, this place was never meant, at the beginning, to be a residential house”. While Ikpeazu ruled under the PDP, Otti’s electoral success was made possible under the Labor Party. That party difference explains one side of the bickering and wrangling that has left the official residence of the government and by extension government properties in shambles.
Anytime a new party takes over the affairs of a state, say PDP or APC, this bitter acrimony is sure to manifest with mirthful abandon. Dark politics, many call it. In essence, this is the type of politics that gets in the way of rational thinking. From this foregoing, we can conclude that similar scenario played out in 2019 when power switched hands between the late Abiola Ajimobi and governor Makinde. As a way of departing from the template of their predecessors, most governors take this mentality beyond party affiliations and policy differences. By allowing politics and not prudence dictates crucial decision, state governors often embark on frivolous and wastefulness spending that rob their states of scarce and meagre resources. Recall that part of Makinde’s initial decision as the governor was to use his personal Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) for official engagement. His deputy at that time, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan was equally co-opted into that script. Throughout his time in office, Engr. Olaniyan carried his official tasks with his personal vehicle.
Of course, that idea of cutting recurrent expenditure, while noble risks breeding conflict of interest. To stem that tide, a robust legal framework must be in place. By staying in his personal residence rather than the official apartment, governors like Makinde put public properties in jeopardy. Ultimately, when all is said and done, all the furniture procured with state resources will be claimed by governor and his family rather than serving their successors. In Abia, to take one more look at governor Alex Otti. One report indicated a mind blowing ten billion was splashed on the upgrade of the governor’s private residence. Nobody knows how much is thrown into the upkeep of Governor Makinde’s residence. For one, how do you reconcile this conflict of interest?
Interestingly, while politics often play a significant role in the choice of a governor’s official residence, spirituality is another tantalizing angle that often gets little attention. Take the celebrated journalist, Reuben Abati. In a riveting and revealing piece titled ‘The Spiritual side of Aso Villa’, the former Presidential spokesman narrated his experience as a resident at the country’s highest seat of power. “When Presidents make mistakes”, Abati noted scarily “they are probably victims of a force higher than what we can imagine”. He continued: Every student of Aso Villa politics would readily admit that when people get in there, they actually become something else. They act like they are under spell.
Still, the explanation offered by Governor Seyi Makinde at his state of the state address yesterday failed to sway opinion in support of that project. Whether politics, psychology or spirituality, is there any no sensible explanation for dumping N63 billion naira on a building that will still be under construction till 2027 when hundreds of inner roads, classrooms, light up Oyo Projects, etc across the state are begging for government’s attention?
OYO101 is Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion about issues affecting the Oyo state and is published every Saturday. He can be reached via @Upliftnuggets on X, muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com, and 09065176850.
