The Judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Judicial Division between the EFCC, the Government of Oyo state and some Kingmakers in Oyo Town made headlines yesterday.
The quick readiness by the EFCC to arraign the Kingmakers immediately after the Federal High Court delivered a Judgement in Its favor is also making headlines as I write this piece.
As for the Judgment, I have made my opinion known about the state of our Judiciary in a piece I titled ” Nigeria’s Democracy On The Judiciary’s Slaughter Slab ” and I won’t belabor the issue here.
These days, our Institutions have become willing tools in the hands of the politicians and both the Judiciary and the EFCC are not immuned.
I don’t know why the EFCC would consider a matter concerning the appointment of a Royal Father one that It will dissipate energy to as It is presently doing with the issue of the appointment of an Alaafin of Oyo Town.
Only God and the EFCC knows the number of complaints against Governor Makinde and his Government’s officials that are left unattended to in Its docket.
I remember that there was an issue with the Oyo state Accountant general that was a subject of litigations between EFCC and the Oyo state Government.
I equally remember that at some point, complaints were made about the Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly regarding the purchase of some vehicles.
Reports of the breach of procurement Laws in the award of the contracts for some exercise books were notorious in the Media, though, I’m not so sure if a formal petition was submitted to the EFCC in that regard.
What has the EFCC and Governor Makinde done about those allegations of corruption within his Government?
I have also been wondering why Governor Makinde have refused to take those Chiefs before his Anti corruption Agency, the OYACA?
Is it that he considers the OYACA ineffective or he wants somewhere with the requisite force of fear?
Whatever his reasons for boycotting an Agency created by him and which is being run with public funds, his decision is an indictment of himself and the OYACA.
Those who lost at the Federal High Court have the constitutional liberty to Appeal and if they chose to so do, whatever arraignment done by EFCC will be in abeyance.
That will be a respite for those affected but I bet, it will be a good excuse for the one who doesn’t want Oyo Town to have a Monarch not sanctioned by him.
The whole scenario itself presents an ardent watcher with some sad comedy.
Who made the complaints of bribery against those Kingmakers?
Why is Governor Makinde so interested in the matter that he considers it his duty to drag the affected Kingmakers before the EFCC?
Whose interest is the Governor protecting in this matter?
Personally, I think the elites in the ancient Town of Oyo have overindulged Governor Makinde enough on this matter.
It is actions like the one highlighted above that should propel a revolution to ensure that Governor Makinde does not extend his stay in office beyond 2027 through a proxy.
Unfortunately those who should be getting serious to deliver our dear state and our cherished Institutions from his clutches have not shown that they realize the enormity of the task ahead of them.
I wrote a piece not long ago where I warned that Oyo state could not afford an extension of Makinde’s shenanigans through a puppet.
What we currently have in our hands should be enough to scare anyone who is a lover of Democracy.
Governor Seyi Makinde by virtue of the position he holds as Governor is not only the chief Executive of Oyo state, he is equally the chief security officer of the state.
Those are constitutional rights. No doubts but to see that he has cleverly added the roles of superintending the affairs of the 33 Local Governments and the traditional Institutions is scary.
Who would ever imagine that a Governor would one day dare to do what he did with the stool of the Olubadan and what he has persisted in doing with the stool of the Alaafin of Oyo?
Who would have dreamnt that a Governor would one day be elected in Oyo state and that Governor would sell off all available Government Lands for development of Estates?
Would anyone ever thought that a Governor would throw away the Agbowo shopping complex for fifty good years through a shoddy lease arrangements?
Only God knows the amount of debts Governor Makinde would leave behind when he exits office in 2027.
Governor Makinde knows he has so much to cover and he has set to work from now.
However, those who should come together to ensure that his cover would be blown in 2027 have not shown that they are ready, most especially, the main opposition APC.
The APC has no business being in opposition in the first place.
The fact that they’re presently in opposition is not because Makinde deserved a second term, it is because the APC chose to be in opposition.
Unfortunately, the APC, like the proverbial adult who tripped and fell and is expected to look back at what was responsible for his fall rather chose to look forward like a kid who suffered the same fate.
What is there to look forward to when the obstacle that occassioned the fall is just behind you?
I think the present stakeholders within the Oyo APC should at least have pity for the people of Oyo state even if they decided not to pity themselves.
The fact that Seyi Makinde was considered a factor for the success of the party in the presidential and National Assembly election should be considered as enough insults.
Though, I have never align myself with such thoughts.
I am of the candid view that Oyo APC worked for both Its successes in the presidential, National Assembly election and Its failure in the gubernatorial and House of Assembly election pure and simple.
The APC in Oyo state does not have much problems.
They have a strong structure in place. All that is required of the stakeholders is to mend fences and strengthen the current structures.
The strength of the APC in Oyo state is also Its albatross.
The party is blessed with so much political heavyweights but how to harmonize and unite is the problem.
Everyone wants to be Governor at the same time, most especially, when they think they have the resources.
Incidentally, resources is not and has never been the main consideration for anyone aspiring to be Governor of the state and there are a plethora of examples.
The political style of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu is another reason why those who want to stop Makinde in 2027 must be weary.
The president has demonstrated that he is a man beyond borders in politics and Makinde has also shown that he is an expert in the politics of merchandising.
Interesting times are ahead and it will equally be interesting to see how the opposition regroup to deliver Oyo from the Emperor.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
