The high point of the Splash FM gubernatorial debate was the altercation between Teslim Folarin, then candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) and Seyi Makinde, then candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
A fierce argument had ensued between the duo after Folarin referred to Lamidi Auxiliary, then Chairman of the Oyo State Park Management system as an convict.
Governor Makinde, in a burst of anger had, in defense of Auxiliary threatened Folarin and accused him of alleged complicity in the murder of Salako Eleweomo, a former Chairman of the Oyo State National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW
Senator Folarin, in reaction, called Makinde’s bluffs and challenged him to prosecute him if he was sure of his facts.
In the course of the same Debate, Makinde, while reacting to a question by Edmund Obilo who had asked the Governor to explain the criteria with which Auxiliary was appointed as Head of the PMS challenged Obilo to recommend a better candidate than Lamidi Auxiliary!
Today, the same Lamidi Auxiliary that Governor Makinde threw caution to the wind to defend as the best man for the job of heading the PMS have not only been sacked by the same Makinde, the PMS he headed have been dismantled, Auxiliary’s home and Hotel have been raided by the Police with dangerous weapons recovered and the man Auxiliary declared wanted by the Police with the active involvement of the Oyo State Government headed by Makinde!
The unfortunate thing is that Governor Makinde have not deemed it fit to admit his obvious complicity in the criminal activities of Auxiliary.
In the year 2021, precisely during the Local government election, the same Auxiliary invaded Eruwa with his thugs and in the end, four innocent citizens were sent to their early graves. Governor Makinde shielded Auxiliary that time.
An innocent young man by the name Rahman was allegedly killed by Auxiliary and his gang at Gate. Despite Makinde’s promises to get to the bottom of the murder, Auxiliary was left to fly.
Shortly before the last election, same Auxiliary and his gang invaded Igangan in Ibarapa North Local government and lives were lost. This was during Governor Makinde’s Camping Rally. What did the Governor do?
When Security men came from Abuja to arrest Auxiliary for destroying opposition Party Campaign Bill Boards, was it not the Governor who allegedly shielded him in the Government House and even stood as surety for him to avoid arrest?
Truth is, Seyi Makinde created a Monster in Auxiliary. Unfortunately, many innocent lives and resources of Oyo State were wasted on nurturing the Monster.
It is not enough to declare Auxiliary wanted.
Makinde must as a matter of urgency admitted his faults and complicity in this matter, apologize to Folarin and the good people of Oyo State, refer the activities of Auxiliary and his Team to Anti corruption Agencies and allow security Agencies do a transparent job on the recovery of the quantum of dangerous weapons allegedly recovered from the house and Hotel of Auxiliary.
A reasonable mind can not but wonder how the fellow, Auxiliary, an illiterate could on his own acquire such number of sophisticated guns.
The security Agencies should also as a matter of urgency use this opportunity to investigate all cases of murder associated with Auxiliary and his gang.
It is the least Governor Makinde can do to clear this mess he brought on Oyo State.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
