Political Awareness Group, PAG has accused Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde of religious bias over the denial of Senator representing Oyo South in the National Assembly, Dr Kola Balogun the second term ticket under the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDĺP.
This is contained in an open letter to the Governor signed by the Chairman of the group, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye.
The Chairman of PAG, an Association of Muslim Professionals and Technocrats for Good Governance said the decision of the governor could be described as a sign of religious bigotry because how could a performing senator be dropped for a newcomer whereas there was also another Muslim in the person of Dr Nureni Adeniran eyeing the same position?
He said the unfolding scenario is a plot beyond 2023 and an attempt to replace a Muslim with a Christian to groom and strengthen with the senatorial seat to take over as governor come 2027 stressing that such attempts would be vehemently rejected .
“Many are still struggling to understand the rational behind the easing out of Senator Kola Balogun and the like of Dr. Nureni Adeniran. As an appointee of the government, Dr. Adeniran would not be a barrier to the script written by a set of people with sole aim of having religious advantage. Having disentangled the contraption, it is important we expose the evil plan to the public especially Muslims. The plan is not just targeted at 2023 but 2027.
“Balogun is a rising political giant exhibiting potentials for higher post.
“As a Muslim, he should by all means taken off the field and a replacement from a particular religious sect be positioned on the field and groomed and strengthened with the senatorial seat so as to take over as governor in 2027. And InshaAllahu, it will not happen.
“We can assure the planners that they have failed. Their new candidate will be overwhelmingly rejected at the polls as was previously done in elections in this area. We are completely against religious bigotry clouded in the facade of consensus. We suspect that your party may not field any serious Muslim in all the senatorial seats”.
Barrister Olowonjaye emphasized that the idea of demarketing Muslims for ulterior and selfish motives would not work as religious bigotry would not have a place in Oyo State.
“We are guiding against religious bigotry that is prevalent in Ekiti and Ondo States where Muslims are not ‘fit’ even for the post of Deputy Governor”.
“Recent revelations in respect of a presidential aspirant have shown how a
particular religious group installs, surreptitiously, its members through various ways into different posts meant for all. And how secret moves are made to deliberately de-market some people to enhance the
chances of others for a long term purpose. And how some people stay at the background directing activities of rulers who pretend to be fair to all but are unjust for religious
reasons. On our part, we see a reflection of the ever manifesting signs of religious bigotry in the decision to drop a highly performing senator for a tyro.”
He said from the record, Senator Balogun despite being a first timer in the National Assembly has unprecedented achievements that should have earned him a second term ticket if not for the powers- that-be headed by the governor through consensus, which is anti-people.
“Our fair investigation shows that the recently ‘dropped’ senator representing Oyo south senatorial district has been a high achiever in terms of quality representation.
“This is a first term senator that has unprecedentedly sponsored not less than five bills and co-sponsor 5 other bills and contributed to numerous motions on the floor of the Senate. He is a senator that was always present to attend to his duties in the national assembly. And stands out as perhaps the most prolific first timer in the senate”.
“This has not prevented him from keeping track of happenings at home which include his support for market men and women after the Dugbe Market Fire Disaster on the 15th of April 2020, Bodija, Orita Merin and Oja Oba Markets Support and his presentation of their petitions to the leadership of the National Assembly, which led to the House Committee on Ethnics taking it up and bringing both the Customs and the traders face to face. Today the locked up shops are opened for the traders by the Customs and efforts are on-going for the return of their products. We also recall his interventions in cash and kind to Araromi Agodi Spare Parts Dealer Markets in May 2021. Ditto Gbaremu Ijokodo and Mammy Markets supports. “It will also be recalled that he took instant action on the gruesome murder of Timothy Adegoke from Eruwa who was killed at Hilton Hotel in Ile Ife. He supported the family with 1 Million Naira Cash and Scholarship to two of his children as well as petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for diligent prosecution of the case.”
“He has facilitated the rehabilitation of Onipasan-Odejayi-Araromi- Spare Part Market Road, Ibadan and 1 kilometre Road at the BCJ to the Railway line in Ibadan South West Local Government, construction of bridge and rehabilitation of Odo Eran road at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government. Also he rehabilitated 1 kilometre Road at the Gbekuba / after Railway line in Ido Local Government and recently ensured the construction of Township road in Felele Area of Ibadan South East LG, Ibadan. Apart from this, he has ensured the construction of not less that 12 bore holes in various parts of his constituency”.
The senator has also involved in facilitating many developmental projects in schools within his constituency.
“Senator Kola Balogun has been involved in the construction of a completed block of two classrooms with Toilet, Office, Store and Solar Powered light and other facilities at Oje-Igosun Grammar School, Ibadan North LGA which has already handed over to UBEC who in turn had handed it over to Oyo SUBEB, construction and completion of one block of three classrooms at Community Primary School at Itabo, Lanlate at Ibarapa East Local Government, construction and completion of one block of two (2) classrooms at Oke-Oba, Eruwa Local Authority Primary School in Ibarapa East Local Government, construction and completion of one block of 3 classrooms at Okusehinde Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan North East, construction and furnishing of 1 block of 2 Classrooms at Islamic Primary School, Agugu, construction of 2 blocks of 2 Classrooms with furniture at Agbaje Memorial Primary School, Agbaje Ayeye, Ibadan North LG, and has an ongoing construction and furnishing of 1 block of
3 Classrooms at Islamic Primary School, Agugu and 1 blocks of 2 Classrooms with furniture at AUD II, Primary School, Igangan, Ìbàràpá North LGA”.
“We are equally aware of the supply and installation of 87 Solar Powered Street lights in different locations of the Local Government areas of Oyo South Senatorial District. Areas that benefited are Oke-Aremo, Aliiwo, Alaatare, Agala Estate, UCH and the University of Ibadan, Alesinloye, Bodija, Agodi Araromi Spare Parts, Sango, Mokola, Sabo, Apata and Adelabu Markets. He has equally provided transformers in 12 different locations in his constituency such as at Fagbamila Community in Ibadan North East, Padi, Oke- Ofa, Ibadan North East Local Government Oke-Offa, Babasale area, Ibadan North East LG, Osungbade, Area of Molete in Ibadan South East LGA , Falola Street, Osoba Area of Ibadan South West LGA, Salvation Army Area of Ibadan North West LGA, Arise Area of Iddo LGA, Riverview Estate, Idi-Ishin of Ibadan South West LGA, Alatere Community of Iddo Local Government, Aliiwo, Ibadan North East LGA and Alesinloye Market, Ibadan South West LGA amongst many others things too numerous to be itemized in this write up.
“These are some of the things that this gentleman has done as a first timer. It therefore came as a shock that your great party has decided to sacrifice good representation on the altar of ulterior motives or reasons that cannot be disclosed. That decision is inexplicable. The people for whom politicians ascribe their relevant are losers when quality representation is rubbished”.
Barrister Olowonjaye emphasized that the consensus adopted by Governor Makinde in picking candidates is anti-people and might affect the fortunes of the party in the long run.
“We believe that the primary responsibility of politicians should be to serve the interest of the people but a number of the decision emerging from so called consensus arrangement are to us, anti-people. For how do you explain the substitution of an elected representative of the people, who chose to focus on how to positively impact his people in different ways, for a relatively unknown newcomer who has no known achievements to flaunt in terms of political or philanthropic antecedence.
“The leaders who sat to make that decision have so soon, forgotten that the people of Ibadan, especially voters in Oyo South Senatorial constituency have shown severally that they are discerning and can single handedly disgrace anybody with their votes no matter how highly placed he is. Don’t politicians learn from history? We are not unaware of religious leaders who call the shots selfishly but we now know the power of our electoral cards and shall use them wisely”.
He explained that the issue would not have been of concern to PAG if not for the interest of good governance and the need to ensure quality representations in the National Assembly.
“The unfolding drama and intrigues in the choice of senatorial candidates in Oyo state PDP would never have been a thing of concern to us, but for the fact that who ever emerges from the major political parties are
likely to eventually emerge as the representatives of the people in the national assembly. As a group that is
concerned with good governance and one that has engaged your government on some issues in the past, some of which were rectified, we feel duty bound to, as the leader of the ruling party in the state, point out the implications of some actions recently taken on behalf of the party. Please recall our engagement on the issues of selection of commissioners and appointment of judges”.
“We have been following developments in the major political parties and shall always stand for justice.We are emboldened by the discovery through our investigations of the level of achievement of the personality of this Senator you plan to ease out.
We shall mobilize all voters in this constituency to reject vehemently this absurdity and imposition termed consensus. Perhaps, this will send a signal to our rulers who are shamely selfish in decision making. That trust that allowed us to be treated anyhow in the past is broken. ‘Kosi ọbọ nidanre mọ’. Those who played God in the past were disgraced. And so shall it be in the next election. Thank God federal elections shall take place before those of the state. As Muslim professionals, we are worried that it is no longer about the quality of achievements but only about frivolity”.
He urged the Governor to rescind his decision and allow a performing Senator to fly the ticket of Oyo South Senatorial District under the platform of PDP.
“We therefore appeal to your good offices to ensure the restoration of this gentleman’s ticket for the good of all. We are encouraged by your past attempts at correcting mistakes made when pointed out. We wish your government success”.
End.
FULL TEXTS
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE
His Excellency,
The Governor of Oyo state,
Office of the Governor,
Secretariat, Ibadan.
Dear sir,
THE UNFOLDING DRAMA AND SENATOR KOLA BALOGUN
Allah’s Apostle said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others”
The unfolding drama and intrigues in the choice of senatorial candidates in Oyo state PDP would never have been a thing of concern to us, but for the fact that who ever emerges from the major political parties are likely to eventually emerge as the representatives of the people in the national assembly. As a group that is concerned with good
governance and one that has engaged your government on some issues in the past, some of which were rectified, we feel duty bound to, as the leader of the ruling party in the state, point out the implications of some actions recently taken on behalf of the party. Please recall our engagement on the issues of selection of commissioners and appointment of judges.
We believe that the primary responsibility of politicians should be to serve the interest of the people but a number of the decision emerging from so called consensus arrangement are to us, anti-people. For how do you explain the
substitution of an elected representative of the people, who chose to focus on how to positively impact his people in different ways, for a relatively unknown newcomer who has no known achievements toflaunt in terms of political or philanthropic antecedence. We are guiding against religious bigotry that is prevalent in Ekiti and Ondo states where Muslims are not ‘fit’ even for the post of Deputy Governor.
Recent revelations in respect of a presidential aspirant have shown how a
particular religious group installs, surreptitiously, its members through various ways into different posts
meant for all. And how secret moves are made to deliberately de-market some people to enhance the chances of others for a long term purpose. And how some people stay at the background directing activities of rulers who pretend to be fair to all but are unjust for religious
reasons. On our part, we see a reflection of the ever manifesting signs of religious bigotry in the decision to drop a highly performing senator for a tyro. This is coming at a time we have just started feeling that the current administration in the state is settling down to being fair to all irrespective of their religious leaning.
Our fair investigation shows that the recently ‘dropped’ senator representing Oyo south senatorial district has been a high achiever in terms of quality
representation. This is a first term senator that has unprecedentedly sponsored not less than five bills and
co-sponsor 5 other bills and contributed to numerous motions on the floor of the Senate. He is a senator that was always present to attend to his duties in the national assembly. And stands out as perhaps the most prolific first timer in the senate. This has not prevented him from keeping track of happenings at home which include his support for market men and women after the Dugbe Market Fire Disaster on the 15th of April 2020, Bodija, Orita Merin and Oja Oba Markets Support and his presentation of their petitions to the leadership of the National Assembly, which led to the House Committee on Ethnics taking it up and bringing both the Customs and the traders face to face. Today the locked up shops are opened for the traders by the Customs and efforts are on-going for the return of their products. We also recall his interventions in cash and kind to Araromi Agodi Spare Parts Dealer Markets in May 2021. Ditto Gbaremu Ijokodo and Mammy Markets supports. It will also be recalled that he took instant action on the gruesome murder of Timothy Adegoke from Eruwa who was killed at Hilton Hotel in Ile Ife. He supported the family with 1 Million Naira Cash and Scholarship to two of his children as well as petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for diligent prosecution of the case. He has facilitated the rehabilitation of Onipasan-Odejayi-Araromi-Spare Part Market Road, Ibadan and 1 kilometre Road at the BCJ to the Railway line in Ibadan South West Local Government, construction of bridge and rehabilitation of Odo Eran road at Igboora in Ibarapa Central Local Government. Also he rehabilitated 1 kilometre Road at the Gbekuba/after Railway line in Ido Local Government and recently ensured the construction of Township road in Felele Area of Ibadan South East LG, Ibadan. Apart from this, he has ensured the construction of not less that 12 bore holes in various parts of his constituency.
Senator Kola Balogun has been involved in the construction of a completed block of two classrooms with Toilet, Office, Store and Solar Powered light and other facilities at Oje-Igosun Grammar School, Ibadan North LGA which has already handed over to UBEC who in turn had handed it over to Oyo SUBEB, construction and completion of one block of three classrooms at Community Primary School at Itabo, Lanlate at Ibarapa East Local Government, construction and completion of one block of two (2) classrooms at Oke-Oba, Eruwa Local Authority Primary School in Ibarapa East Local Government, construction and completion of one block of 3 classrooms at Okusehinde Primary School, Aremo, Ibadan North East,
construction and furnishing of 1 block of 2 Classrooms at Islamic Primary School,
Agugu, construction of 2 blocks of 2 Classrooms with furniture at Agbaje Memorial Primary School, Agbaje Ayeye, Ibadan North LG, and has an ongoing construction and furnishing of 1 block of
3 Classrooms at Islamic Primary School, Agugu and 1 blocks of 2 Classrooms with furniture at AUD II, Primary School, Igangan, Ìbàràpá North LGA. We are equally aware of the supply and installation of 87 Solar Powered Street lights in different locations of the Local Government areas of Oyo South Senatorial District. Areas that benefited are Oke-Aremo, Aliiwo, Alaatare, Agala Estate, UCH and the University of Ibadan , Alesinloye , Bodija, Agodi Araromi Spare Parts, Sango, Mokola, Sabo, Apata and Adelabu Markets. He has equally provided transformers in 12 different locations in his constituency such as at Fagbamila Community in Ibadan North East, Padi, Oke- Ofa, Ibadan North East Local Government Oke-Offa, Babasale area, Ibadan North East LG, Osungbade, Area of Molete in Ibadan South East LGA , Falola Street, Osoba Area of Ibadan South West LGA, Salvation Army Area of Ibadan North West LGA, Arise Area of Iddo LGA, Riverview Estate, Idi-Ishin of Ibadan South West LGA, Alatere Community of Iddo Local Government, Aliiwo, Ibadan North East LGA and Alesinloye Market, Ibadan South West LGA amongst many others things too numerous to be itemized in this write up. These are some of the things that this gentleman has done as a first timer. It therefore came as a shock that your great party has decided to sacrifice good representation on the altar of ulterior motives or reasons that cannot be disclosed. That decision is inexplicable. The people for whom politicians ascribe their relevant are losers when quality representation is rubbished.
The leaders who sat to make that decision have, so soon, forgotten that the people of Ibadan, especially voters in Oyo South senatorial constituency have shown severally that they are discerning and can single handedly disgrace anybody with their votes no matter how highly placed he is. Don’t politicians learn from history? We are not unaware of religious leaders who call the shots selfishly but we now know the power of our electoral cards and shall use them wisely.
We have been following developments in the major political parties and shall always stand for justice. We are emboldened by the discovery through our investigations of the level of achievement of the personality of this Senator you plan to ease out.
We shall mobilize all voters in this constituency to reject vehemently this absurdity and imposition termed consensus. Perhaps, this will send a signal to our rulers who are shamely selfish in decision making. That trust that allowed us to be treated anyhow in the past is broken. ‘Kosi ọbọ nidanre mọ’. Those who played God in the past were disgraced. And so shall it be in the next election. Thank God federal elections shall take place before those of the state. As Muslim professionals, we are worried that it is no longer about the quality of achievements but only about frivolity.
Many are still struggling to understand the rational behind the easing out of Senator Kola Balogun and the like of Dr. Nureni Adeniran. As an appointee of the government, Dr. Adeniran would not be a barrier to the script written by a set of people with sole aim of having religious advantage. Having disentangled the contraption, it is important we expose the evil plan to the public especially Muslims. The plan is not just targeted at 2023 but 2027.
Dr. Kola Balogun is a rising political giant exhibiting potentials for higher post. As a Muslim, he should by all means taken off the field and a replacement from a particular religious sect be positioned on the field and groomed and strengthened with the senatorial seat so as to take over as governor in 2027. And InshaAllahu, it will not happen.
We can assure the planners that they have failed. Their new candidate will be overwhelmingly rejected at the polls as was previously done in elections in this area. We are completely against religious bigotry clouded in the facade of consensus. We suspect that your party may not field any serious Muslim in all the senatorial seats.
We therefore appeal to your good offices to ensure the restoration of this gentleman’s ticket for the good of all. We are encouraged by your past attempts at correcting mistakes made when pointed out. We wish your government success.
LONG LIVE OYO STATE
LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
E-Signed
Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye,
Chairman, Political Awareness Group, PAG.
