A good leader takes his people to where they deserve to be, not where they want to be. This is an old adage or cliché that guides any leader who vehemently pursues good governance.
In the past, before situation degenerated to this sorry state in Oyo State, many of us sounded a note of caution about the dangerous trend of insecurity engulfing the State to His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde that his populist programmes, where he tries to please everyone, would backfire.
We also urged Governor Seyi Makinde to cooperate with the Police authority in the State. It is the Police, no matter the situation and grievances, that can mitigate against the spate of insecurity and brigandage in the State. The Police, according to their constitutionally-recognised mandate, has the training and wherewithal to curb and contain breakdown of law and order in any state. Relegating the Police signals enormous danger.
I watched the over 4-minute video of Sunday Igboho, where he addressed the people of Ibarapa, on the solutions contrived between him and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko. He did not mention the State Government for once. As the Chief Security Officer of the State, he should be in the forefront of ensuring the safety and security of lives and property of his people. However, it is glaring and crystal clear that Governor Makinde has lost grip on the security architecture of Oyo State.
Sadly and expectedly, the Governor has been sidelined. He lost it. The people of Oyo State have lost confidence in Mr Governor. We need not argue this obvious fact. Go to Ibarapa and mention Seyi Makinde. You may be lynched by a mob of irate crowd. If you are not macheted, thank your Creator. Where is the popularity now? It’s long gone. It has been sacrificed on the altar of good governance. This is the points we have been making since the inception of his administration.
The repercussion of populism is not farfetched. It is certain that, one day, the people you are frantically making efforts to satisfy at the expense of development and good governance will turn against you when they see through your deceits. We hope the Governor will wake up from his long slumber and act as the Chief Executive Officer of the State. Also, the Governor needs to relieve some of his sycophantic aides of their duties and appointments. They are the ones misleading him from the path of truth. May peace reign in Oyo State. God bless Oyo State.
