In 2020, Governor Seyi Makinde’s 4-year tenure enters its second year. Amid mixed ratings over his administration’s performance so far, OYOINSIGHT.COM’s Adebayo AbdulRahman takes a look at five controversial statements the governor made in the year.
There Is No COVID-19 In PDP
At a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally held in Ibadan on March 18, the governor said the disease is not in his party.
“They said we should not do this rally because of coronavirus. It was their leader that said coronavirus is in their party, yes or no? Have you used your hand sanitiser? There is no coronavirus in our own party,” the governor had said.
However, few days later he tested positive for the novel virus.
God Has Rejected APC
On the 18th of December, Governor Seyi Makinde stated that God has rejected the main opposition party in the state, All Progressives Congress.
He stated this after the meeting of the Zonal Working Committee of his party held at the Government House, Ibadan.
him out.
“So, that leader should forget about the EFCC case and do what is right for the party. Because I will say it, for 2023, even God has rejected APC; the people of Nigeria have rejected them. They can be jumping around saying this one or that one wants to be president in 2023, if we (PDP) get in, there will be double jeopardy for him because he will have to run back from APC to PDP,”he said.
We Won’t Lockdown Oyo
As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic raged across the country, the federal government imposed restriction on movements in some parts of the country, however Governor Makinde refused to order a total lockdown of the state.
Speaking on why he won’t lockdown the state, Makinde said, “My own background is engineering and I kept saying to people that as an engineer, you take decisions that are based on logic and fact. It’s an uncharted territory. We kept on interacting with the experts to find out what are the facts emerging.
“Yes, Lagos can be on lockdown, Ogun can be on lockdown, Oyo State, yes, people have been saying have a total lockdown and then I have been asking them questions. What will be the benefits here? Are there alternative courses of action for us to take?
“If you ask people not to come out, you lock down the market places, there are people that what they sell today – the profit from today’s activities is what they will eat tomorrow. There are plenty people like that within our environment. So, are there alternatives available to us? Can we do selective lockdown? That’s why I imposed the curfew, to say limit interactions.
“I think, everything is on the table but it has to follow a logical pattern and it will need the input of experts. We are not just going to lock down because everyone is locking down.”
The decision not to lockdown the state turned out to be a positive one as statistucs later showed that a total lockdown had significant economic effects on state where it was imposed.
Makinde Donates N100m For Renovation Of Soun Palace
Following the crisis that led to the destruction of the Palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Governor Makinde donated N100 million for its renovation.
Announcing the donation, he said: “Today, we visited Ogbomoso to see the families of three of our children who died during the End SARS protests.
“We began the process of compensating the families for the losses they suffered and promised to do more in the coming days. Our hearts go out to all those who have suffered directly and indirectly during these protests.
“As a government, we will not forget the last few days in a hurry nor the needless deaths of Isiaka Jimoh, Ganiyu Moshood Alabi, and Adeoye Taiwo. We were also at the Palace of Kabiyesi, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the Soun of Ogbomoso. We pledged the sum of N100 Million to begin immediate repairs of the palace and replacement of destroyed properties.”
However this announcement did not go down well with residents. The optics of the donation was worsened by the revelation that the governor gave N1 million each to the families of those who lost their lives.
Few days later, the monarch returned N90 million out of the governor’s donation urging him to invest it in youth development.
Stay Away From Protests
As the EndSARS protest gained momentum in Oyo State, Governor Makinde ordered Police officers in the state to stay away.
“Last night, I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State. I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them. We have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters, at this time.
“Therefore, we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots, especially Ogbomoso, to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised,”the governor said.
However, this move did not go down well with a significant number of residents, especially members of the opposition parties who have argued that this move by the governor emboldened criminal elements in the state. Critics also claim that this move is root of the lawlessness that occurred in various parts of the state including the burning alive of two police officers at Iwo road area of Ibadan.
