In what could best be described as audacity of fact, Dataphyte, an online media, research and Data Analytics Company has demonstrated its continuous and relentless efforts in the pursuit of truth. Just few days ago, the data crunching platform dared Oyo state government by dropping another hard-hitting bombshell, second in the series of its mind-blowing revelation, uncovering series of administrative malfeasance in the #998 million notebook investigation, despite legal threat from the Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Given the way government across all levels in the country easily bully media houses into cold submission when their dirty linens are made public; what Dataphyte has done is nothing short of courage, the platform has no doubt etched its name in the book of responsible, serious and fact based journalism paving the way for others to follow; setting the pace in the evolving field of data journalism.
But curiously, one is tempted ask what actually piqued the Governor’s interest and what informed him to make such a hurried, contradictory statement that has now done more harm than good; given that sensitive allegations most take eons for government’s response, there may be more to meet the eyes than we know. “Let me also say this” Governor Seyi Makinde remarked in his first public statement on the controversy “yesterday (referring to April 2), I read of an allegation on the internet that Oriyomi Hamzat inflated a contract amounting to N998m to supply exercise books. I am very sure they were trying to smear me, not Oriyomi but they are afraid of confronting me directly”. Well, he added, let me tell you the truth of the matter; such never happened; anything you hear from me is nothing but the truth. If they don’t know where we are coming from, they know where we are going”. Declaring his intention to drag publishers of the story in legal mud for making such audacious allegations, the Governor enthused that “what will happen is, I will encourage Oriyomi to sue them and settle the case in the court. And, as a state government, we will sue Sahara Reporters (Sahara Reporters only echo the voice Dataphyte) for the false publication. By the time we are done with them, they will stop publishing false reports about the government of Oyo state”.
Governor Seyi Makinde sounded like a typical Nigerian politician. His words, powerful, strongly worded and frightening; what’s rather unclear is whether the Governor would hold on to those words after Dataphyte released the second phase of its damning report. Already and as expected, the allegation of embezzlement of public fund has generated heated debates with many calling for proper; and thorough investigation.
Contrarily, there are skeptics who feel the report is an orchestrated plot to soil the government’s image. But as Buddha beautifully captured it, three things cannot hide for long: the moon, the sun, and the truth.
Interestingly, the Governor in clear statement that beats every stretch of imagination even vowed to throw in the towel should fact emerge that his regime is complicit of and found guilty of the allegation. What is however unsure is whether the outcome of such report will make it to the public.
But in the event that this bogus allegation is swept under the carpet as it is characteristics of various government in the country; the implication will be that the anti-corruption posturing of the state government and the creation of Oyo Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) is nothing but a waste of tax-payers money.
Not surprisingly but amazing, this kind of in-your-face denial is evidently expected, in part because it is the first stage in Schopenhauer’s gateway to reality.
German Philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer is reputed to have brilliantly posited that all truth passes through three stages: first, it is ridiculed, second, it is violently opposed and finally, it is accepted as self-evident. In anyway, it is just a matter of time before this scandal rocks the boat and becomes the greatest clog in the government’s wheel of progress; one that’s sure to drag it into the politics of mudslinging, and vilification as next election beckons. In other words, with the flurry of unimpeachable evidences against the government, the chicken might have finally come home to roost.
Just like this government’s truckloads of actions and inactions around critical issues of security, education, infrastructure, and health, crystal clear evidence are now mounting in areas of transparency, particularly in terms of contract bidding and awarding. Retrospectively, this whole gamut of graft swirling around the state government’s neck actually goes beyond the crumbs and peanuts being thrown out through contract inflation. In fact, it is this kind of contentious deals that re-confirms the continuous handling of people’s patrimony. By far, this government appears determined to outsmart previous regimes in the mismanagement of public funds – unless it proves otherwise.
At this point, it is essential for Governor Seyi Makinde to realize that Dataphyte reports is just one in the series of other indicting and damning revelation regarding the ethical conduct of his people in government. As such this should be a wake-up call to redeem the already battered image of his regime. For a government that takes pride in portraying itself as the epitome of transparency, Dataphyte report only exposes the hypocrisy and double standard of the government.
In essence, the courageous resolve of Dataphyte to stand firmly without fear of intimidation and victimization further shows that the report is far from what the Governor publicly decries to be “a campaign of calumny, one that aims to smear his administration. As a matter of fact, the governor must peruse the issue with relevant information and punish those found guilty, because by all indications, the media house has shown it conducted her investigation thoroughly, without fear or favor. That is why the second string of the report became easier for the platform. The Governor must realize the revelation of Dataphyte only is partly intended to assist the government in achieving its various campaign promises by stamping out rampant, systemic corruption from the system and put in place a transparent, fair and just one.
OYO101, is Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo state, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850
