Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state had invested so much in the Parks Management System he set up during his first tenure.
Governor Makinde had, during his first tenure, proscribed the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) and replaced it with the PMS.
At the time, he appointed one Mukaila aka “Auxillary” to head the PMS.
Auxillary at the time just finished serving jail terms in Lagos.
Critics and well meaning citizens of Oyo state pointed out to Governor Makinde that it was a height of insensitivity for him to appoint an ex convict to head such an important Agency of Government, most especially, an Agency responsible for the collection of Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) but Makinde stuck to his gun.
Auxillary was the head of the PMS for the four years of Governor Makinde’s first term.
During his time as Chairman of the Disciplinary committee of the PMS, Auxillary loomed large.
He was accused of instigating and participating in violent activities in Eruwa, during the 2020 Local Government Election, Igangan, when Governor Makinde went to campaign and Agodi Gate, Ibadan.
In all the places mentioned above, innocent lives were lost.
Surprisingly, Governor Makinde tenaciously defended and stood with Auxillary.
At a point during the campaign for the 2023 general election, a detachment of police officers came to arrest Auxillary from Abuja but he sought shelter in the Government House!
During his chairmanship as the head of PMS, Auxillary built a gigantic estate somewhere in Ibadan.
People have complained about the accountability or none of it of the PMS.
During one of the gubernatorial debates sequel to the 2023 election, Governor Makinde was asked how much the PMS generated monthly and he mentioned a miserable 70 million Naira.
One of the gubernatorial candidate, Michael Lana Esq was of the opinion that the 70m Naira quoted by the Governor was ridiculous.
Unfortunately, that was the end of the matter. Nobody probed further.
However, just recently, Auxillary granted an interview with an Ibadan based broadcaster where he declared that he actually spent PMS money to campaign for Governor Makinde.
He said a lot of things which I do not consider my business.
It is on record that Governor Makinde committed about 15b Naira of borrowed money to the construction of Bus Terminals and he handed the Bus Terminals over to Auxillary as head of the PMS.
It is clear, even to the blind that the activities of the PMS, Its handling of state resources is not transparent.
The PMS is obviously an avenue for free money.
Now that the man whom Governor Makinde put in the saddle for four years have come out to declare that the money he spent to mobilize his boys were actually PMS money, Governor Makinde is under obligations to come out and tell the people of Oyo state how the funds of the PMS have been expended over the years.
Of the about 15b Naira committed to building the Bus Terminals, how much have the PMS paid back?
The last time I checked, management and maintenance of motor parks in Nigeria is the sole responsibility of the Local Governments.
An Oyo state High court sitting in Ibadan equally held so when the constitutionality of the Auxillary led PMS was challenged but Governor Makinde cleverly ensured the status quo remained.
It is time for Governor Makinde to tell the people of Oyo state how the monies made by the PMS were shared.
How much goes to each of the 33 Local Governments et al.
The time for reckoning for the Governor is closing in by the day.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
