In Nigeria, suspicion and skepticism are parts of National life. A careful look at the relationship between the Government and the people since Independence shows trust deficit and the urgent need to build a trust driven system where each part can sincerely see themselves in the whole. For instance, lack of trust breeds skepticism and suspicion. And only a sustainable trust can completely override those two evils. So, when the caravan of Engineer Seyi Makinde quietly rode into the Agodi Government house, Ibadan, two years ago, the trust tank between the people and the Government had been carelessly drained and completely emptied. That total fed up and utter pissed off in the system prompted Oyo people to angrily fired then ruling APC out of the state Government house after eight solid years. Because ordinarily, people are not naturally united, only when there is a common difficulty to be overcome will you see them band together and speak with one voice.
At that time, the common difficulty to be uprooted was the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi known across the state to have handled people’s welfare and well-being with reckless abandon — especially in the second half of his regime. First with unnecessary vituperation against friends and foes alike, then irregular payment of workers salary. As for the salary, Makinde was well aware of this and explored and exploited the loopholes during electioneering campaign. Vigorously, he decried and bemoaned the plights and pains of the state workers promising to throw people’s legitimate earning at them as at when due. Two years now, people know where he stands and how far he has kept his words.
Although, first timers hardly win people over on campaign trail but as the situation of the last two years have shown, trust building can both be risky at one time and exciting at the other. Take ‘omituntun’ brand of politics. Unarguably, there is a clear and sharp departure from what’s known in the past especially on ways Governance is approached. Though not without its flaws and shortcomings, the ideas that undergird that slogan has changed the workings and ways Government business is being carried out. For instance, the issuance of certificate of occupancy within twenty four hours is something that wasn’t thought of in the past, but, thanks to technology and vision, it is now possible.
When Government is driven by ideas and courage, it is the people that benefit largely from it. For the past two years have come with its ups and downs, moments of lifts and times of heartbreaks. Of course, state workers now have their entitlement and renumeration rolled out even before month ends, same as retirees now accessed their pensions, this twin issues, which of course are fundamental to any reasonable Government have helped build and nurtured the seeds of trust in the state. Because prompt payment of workers salary for example has a trickle down effects on the economic development of the state, failure to pay it automatically makes a mess of the whole Government.
In essence, the past two years have brought an unprecedented yet mixed feelings and reactions across the state. While workers now bask in the glow of their prompt salary payment, same as retires now rejoice in the regular payment of their pensions, the feeling of exclusion by those yet to be captured especially as the country’s economic dips is as sad as it was in the past. The Okada man on the street may not tag along with the ‘omituntun’ brand of politics that seems to integrate technology into governance. Nor will traders across markets in the state understand various policy initiatives carried out by the government.
Though an Okada man knows prompt salary payment means something to his daily hustle same as traders and market women knew a smile on worker’s face is a direct smile on their faces as well. In other words, as far as Inclusive Governance is concerned, there is more to be done by the state government. Interestingly, the last two years of this regime may not be enough to declare this Government a success or a failure. And may also not be enough to categorically says re-election is sure. The activities, and the gains of the last two years plus the activities and the deeds of the next two years rolled together will either make or mar this regime. For now, let’s the game continue.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
