The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate in oyo state, Engr Seyi Makinde and the chairman of Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan (3SC), Mr. Gbolagade Busari are up against each other over the performance of the club.
OYO INSIGHT had reported how Makinde blamed the All Progressives Congress, APC, led administration. That was after 3SC’s hope of promotion from the Nigeria National League, NNL, to the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, looks bleak following the away loss to rival Bender Insurance on Monday.
But in a swift reaction, Busari told Makinde to project doom for himself and not for 3SC. But Makinde insisted that the government was responsible for the club’s woeful performance.
Project Doom For Yourself, Not 3SC —Club Boss Tells Makinde
The Chairman of Shooting Stars Football club of Ibadan (3SC), Mr. Gbolagade Busari has cautioned the gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Seyi Makinde in Oyo State to desist from his projection of doom over the position of the club in the Nigeria National League (NNL).
Mr. Busari said in a statement in Ibadan on Wednesday that Seyi Makinde should rather project doom for his gubernatorial aspiration instead of the 3Sc which is currently chasing promotion to the Nigeria Premier League as the team has already qualified for the Super 8.
He said that it was rather unfortunate for a politician gunning to govern the state to be predicting doom for the darling team of the people of the state and by extension, the South West, saying that Makinde should rather focus on his fruitless political endeavor instead of dabbling into the terrain he is naïve of.
The 3SC boss said that the Oyo State Government will be ready to finance a public governance course for Mr. Makinde to be equipped on governance matters, adding that his outbursts over governmental issues shows a pathetic lack of understanding of public governance. Busari emphasized that he needs to learn more on the day-to –day operation of public institutions in order to understand and appreciate that running a sole proprietorship is not the same as governing a state.
Busari said contrary to the concocted lies by Mr. Makinde that Governor Abiola Ajimobi did not support the team was very disappointing, saying “3SC has the backing of the governor financially and the welfare of the players is top priority.
“Today, 3SC with the least goals conceded in the national league is and the highest number of goals scored is on course for promotion alongside Bendel Insurance FC because we are the two best clubs in our group with 29 and 28 points respectively. It is mischievous for Mr. Makinde to be politicising Shooting Stars’ football club affair and predicting that the team has failed to qualify for promotion to the Premier League, even when the league is not yet concluded,” the 3SC boss said.
Busari said the last match of the team in Benin was well attended by officials of the State Government led by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Mr. Abayomi Oke, the Special Assistant to Governor Ajimobi on Youth, Hon. Bolaji Repete, Chairman of Oyo FA and thousands of supporters who were given free transportations on Ajumose Buses to support the team.
The Chairman said that GovernorAjimobi has given the club the mandate to get back to the Nigeria Premier League, assuring that the team is confident of promotion this season.
“The welfare of the Shooting Stars is one of the best in the country and this a testimony of the commitment of the Governor to make the dream of promotion a reality. We advise Mr. Seyi Makinde to focus primarily on his ambition and desist from using Shooting Stars as a tool to achieve his ambition,” Busari added.
Government Is 3SC’s Worst Enemy — Makinde Insists
The gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has accused the state government of celebrating mediocrity by praising itself while 3SC wallows in the second tier of the Nigerian League.
In response to his accusation that the uncaring attitude of government is adversely affecting the club, the government had responded by describing Makinde as being ignorant of sports management.
But in a swift response the candidate’s campaign team through the spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade said government owes every player at 3SC and Crown football clubs a minimum of 3 months salaries and several match bonuses.
The statement said that it is untrue that Governor Ajimobi makes the welfare and well being of the players his priority because the players are demotivated and Shooting Stars is the only notable club without a permanent camp where many of the players go home on half salaries when they are paid at all.
Makinde said that it is laughable that government is celebrating 3sc in the National League when it’s place should be among the best in the Nigerian Premier League
According to Makinde, when by the grace of God 3sc climbs back to the top league, it will be as a direct result of the efforts of the players themselves and their unflinching supporters of which Makinde is one and not the complacency of an uncaring government.
