Tomorrow, 24th of May, 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde will change the baton for a new set of “Ajeles” to the 33 Local Governments in Oyo state.
In Yoruba parlance, Ajeles signify proxy authority.
What will be the sole responsibility of this gentlemen?
The singular responsibility will be to continue the plundering of the Local Government funds as a proxy of the Governor.
For the few who think they are going to have a new face of governance at the grassroots, you will be shocked.
Those Chairmen were not selected to serve the people.
They have specific mandates to serve only the Governor on whose crooks they have been foisted on the Local Governments.
Our societies have become terribly shameless.
If not, how could a Governor celebrate the swearing in ceremony of a product of a flawed election the way he is planning to do?
Whatever is done in celebration of the products of the type of election that we had on 27th May, 2024 is akin to a celebration of shameless.
How did we get to this terrible situation?
When we were growing up, we grew to learn about abhorrence for stealing.
We grew to hear our parents and teachers sing songs like, ” eni ba jale leekan, to ba daran bori, aso ole lo dabora…”.
“…laye ti mo wa kaka ki njale, kaka ki njale, ma kuku deru…. .
These were songs dedicated to warn us from stealing.
Now, what would you expect from a set of Local Government Chairmen who were a product of a daylight robbery of the mandates of someone else?
Everyone who gathers to celebrate the products of the Local Government Election of 27th May are participating in the celebration of decadence.
The consequences of the swearing in ceremony of the Ajeles is that Local Governments in Oyo state will continue to die under the weight of deprivation and diversion of funds.
Developments at the third tier of Government will continue to suffer neglect.
Fiscal irresponsibility will continue unabated.
The Ajeles will not even be able to pay staffs salaries without the approval of the Emperor.
The Emperor will continue to talk down on the ” incompetent” clowns masquerading as Local Government Chairmen.
Governor Makinde will continue to propagate his illegal and unconstitutional ideal about the status of the Local Government.
Independence of Local Governments will be a taboo in Oyo state.
Didn’t the Governor declare that he never believed in the Independence of Local Governments?
Governor Makinde will continue to preside upon the resources of both the Local Governments and the state resources.
Perhaps, the only Governor who will dare to go to that extent throughout the Federation.
Infrastructures in the Local Governments will continue to collapse.
In fact, the Governor’s actions and inactions in the Local Governments will continue to constitute a big issue for future Administrations and the people of Oyo state.
Seriously, Oyo state is in another bumpy ride at the Local Government level and for another 36 months.
The Governor will click glasses with his friends and associates after the program.
Perhaps, Aare Isiaka Olaguju SAN will be available to click glasses.
Why not?
Another job well done by the OYSIEC chairman.
Unfortunately, History will sit in one dark corner, taking notes and there is no escape from his verdict.
His partner, nemesis will not be left out.
He, too, will be in another corner, deciding on who to visit first.
When they do, I will say I said so.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
