Up till today, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has not stopped beating his chest, saying that his decision to flout the directives of the Federal Government to observe a total Lockdown for two weeks so as to contain the spread of the dreaded Covid 19 virus was an act of ingenuity.
The Governor pointed out that he could not lock down the state and thereby prevented citizens from fending for their daily meals.
If you look at the decision and the consequences therefrom from a narrow angle, you will be tempted to agree that the Governor was right.
However, a compound examination of the decision and the attending consequences will show that Governor Makinde committed a fundamental error that is haunting Oyo state till today.
Even on the face value, I do not see any statistics that shows that Oyo state was better off than neighbouring states that observed the Lockdown.
The economies of both Lagos and Ogun states are by far better than that of Oyo state despite the fact that both states observed the Lockdown.
There is also nothing that points to the fact that trade and commerce in both states suffered more as a result of the Lockdown.
It is all talks without statistics.
There is no doubt that Nature played a critical role in the survival of African countries where the weather is hotter compared to Europe.
Nature, much more than our reckless Governments at all levels, should receive the praises for what happened during Covid 19.
Having said that, one significant consequence of Governor Makinde’s refusal to comply with the Lockdown order is the unchecked influx of strangers from all parts of the Country to Oyo state.
All the Okadar riders, destitutes and beggars who left the neighbouring states as a result of the Lockdown settled in Oyo state and while settling down here, they came with the attending vices.
Those beggars, okadar riders and destitutes who now add to the nuisance of street hawkings, creating chaotic traffic and environmental hazards on our roads and Communities are the consequence of the refusal to observe the Lockdown by Governor Makinde.
Oyo state, has by that singular action accommodated those who constituted a nuisance, traffic and security challenge headaches from the neighbouring states.
Now, Oyo is facing challenges of metal and cable thefts added to the problems of street hawkings.
Our major roads and streets have also been taken over by beggars and destitutes more than ever before.
Governor Makinde is one person who enjoys being seen by the public as a stand out Governor who does things differently even at the risk of public good.
He has demonstrated this attitude times without number.
He is the only Governor who goes at president Tinubu at every given opportunity.
He was the only Governor who physically joined protesters against the Federal Government.
He is the only one who has been making derogatory remarks about the judgment of the Supreme Court.
In fact, he just ordered the 33 Local Government Chairmen in Oyo state to exit the umbrella Body of Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria and to establish an association of their own.
He has been escaping taking responsibilities only because those who should be putting him on the spot, most especially, the press, are heavily compromised.
He is the one who opted for Agri-business instead of Agriculture. When his brother Governors in neighbouring states are gainfully investing in Agriculture, he opted for something else and even though, he has nothing to show for his Agri-business ventures, no one is putting him to task.
A Governor in the South West is presently celebrating the harvest of 20,000 bags of rice within 3 months which would bring in a billion Naira but Governor Makinde wants to celebrate a Documentary on Fashola Farm Settlements where Oyo state owns not an acre of cassava plantation.
He has chosen to mortgage Oyo state Farm Settlements to foreign farmers while his counterparts are busy empowering local farmers and investors.
He is the one who will celebrate his victory in a game of pickleball with his children and their friends while citizens of Oyo state goes about on empty stomachs.
His act of indescretions during the Covid 19 is presently haunting the state.
I look at the commotions at Mokola, Apata junctions and many other areas in Ibadan today and I ask myself, what is really happening to us?
Governor Makinde had the courage to flout the directives to Lockdown Oyo state but he is lacking in will to clear the attending environmental, traffic and security challenges that his decision heralded.
The combined effects of the street destitutes, beggars and street hawkers on our major roads and streets have continued to present a sour taste in the mouth.
Unfortunately, the Governor would not act because, according to him, he once hawked bread on the streets.
May God Almighty deliver us.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
