Four
years on, they have ample cause to regret that decision, which they had made in
good faith, but which also, demonstrated a sad but true fact about governance in
these parts. Far too often, con-men, pretenders and charlatans with no
intention to serve anything but their narrow interests and those of their cronies,
have invaded the political space and the people’s consciousness, professing a
love they do not feel and formulating so-called people-oriented policies and
programmes which are designed solely for their own personal enrichment.
Words
cannot describe the profound disappointment the people of Oyo State feel at the
stewardship of Gov. Ajimobi, as he continues to progress from error to error, making
bogus promises such as development corridors, cable cars and circular highways,
to mention a few (and breaking them almost immediately), and in the process
impoverishing the people by the day.
Examples
of Ajimobi’s profligacy, self-interest and indifference to the plight of his
people can be seen in virtually everything his government does, from the
arbitrary demolition of market stalls, which the Ajimobi government has carried
out with singular ruthlessness without providing adequate alternatives (and
even the so-called modern markets are priced beyond the reach of ordinary
traders and market women); to the neglect of key economic infrastructure,
including government buildings and shopping complexes; to the purchase of
worn-out vehicles at impossibly exorbitant costs (compared to the brand-new
buses purchased by the predecessor administration of Gov. Rashidi Ladoja at
comparatively lower rates); the failure to pay retirees their pensions and
gratuities – some for over a year now – even though he has money to buy new
campaign vehicles in pursuit of his second term bid – and in the process struck
fear into the hearts of state’s present workforce as to what the future holds
for them at the end of their own period of service.
This
gross mismanagement of the patrimony of Oyo State people has made them remember
with nostalgia, the sound management style of Gov. Rashidi Ladoja’s government.
As the former (and incoming) governor
seeks to reclaim his historic mandate on the platform of the Accord Party in
the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Oyo State, the masses of the state have
shown their willingness to bring back the glory days once more, when civil
servants’ salaries were paid as at when due; when reforms in the educational
sector ensured that no classroom had no more than thirty students or pupils;
when the entire backlog of pensions was paid to the last kobo; when the ‘thirteenth
month’s salary’ was also paid; when the government created an
innovative master-plan for the state to assist in the planning and control of
infrastructural development projects; when the government facilitated the
construction of a tractor assembly in the state; when the government built
model public schools for ALL children regardless of social and economic
background (in contrast to the rich-only schools that Ajimobi is building
today); to name but a few.
No
wonder support for former governor Rashidi Ladoja is swelling in geometric
proportions as the 2015 guber polls draw near – as if to say, ‘Enough
of Ajimobi! Time to reclaim the gains of the past!’
That
is what must happen, so that Oyo State can once take its rightful place among
the states of Nigeria, with a people whose pride in their heritage is matched
by an unshakeable confidence in the opportunities the future holds, under the
able and benevolent leadership of Gov. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. Come May 29th
2015, the helm of leadership must change hands, so that Oyo State can truly
resume its role as a Pacesetter in name and in deed.
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