Governor Seyi Makinde’s deputy, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan has said that whatever happens before and during the 2023 elections is the wish of God.
Olaniyan, who was fielding questions when the leadership of the South West Group of Online Publishers, SWEGOP, paid him a sallah visit, added that the best surprise anybody can get is after the 8th year of the current administration in the state.
Asked if he has ambition as the 2023 election beckons, the Igboho, Okeogun-born politician explained that “On the 2023 election, the best surprise you can get is after 8 years. Where we are is determinate. The governor is entitled to serve 8 years. Anything after that is indeterminate.
“Before I left African Democratic Congress, ADC, someone made a proposal and I asked him to tell me who knows he or she is going to see the next day. They couldn’t answer me. I broke the ice again, I told them if they can’t tell me, they should forget the proposal.
“We should not let ambition becloud how little we are in the hands of God. The only person that can guarantee that is God.
“I am not a spare tyre deputy governor. I have been adding values to governance. Calling deputy governors spare tyre leads to discord,” he added
Olaniyan also explained that the current administration would continue to work for the interest of the populace in spite of being labelled as a populist government.
He said: “The wish and wants of the populace should be the target of the government. What else do you want us to do? We are there because of their interest.
“Should we go ahead and do what people don’t want? Some brand you different names when you are listening to the people and meeting their needs. Should we be doing things that the people don’t want?”
He said the decisions of the state government on COVID-19 management are being guided by facts and data, stressing that people should not be surprised that Oyo is setting the pace in Nigeria.
