Gbanjo is a Yoruba way of calling attention of buyers to a product marked for sale. When Yorubas say ” maa luu ni gbanjo”, be sure that the subject of discourse is sure to be sold.
Such products, in most cases are sold at undervalued prices.
Barring any last minute change of mind, which is very unlikely, Governor Seyi Makinde will sell off the Eruwa Farm Settlement!
From very reliable sources, the Farm settlement will be sold off to Chinese buyers most likely at some ” gbanjo” price.
The issue of the pricing is not even the issue here.
It is the ” akotileta” syndrome which have become the hallmarks of the Government of Seyi Makinde recently.
The Eruwa Farm Settlement, which Governor Makinde is about to sell away was established by the Western Nigerian Government.
The settlement covers thousands of hectres of farm land, Silos and the Eruwa Water Works is sitting on the Settlement.
In those days, the settlement provided jobs for thousands of Ibarapa indigenes and Its Land mass is still providing opportunities of farming for interested small and large scale farmers on lease arrangements.
Governor Makinde, at the inception of his Government, made heavy weather about how he will upgrade the said settlement to an Agric hub and based on that promise, billions of Naira were accessed by way of Loans.
Sadly, not even a block was laid in the settlement until we now hear that the Settlement would be sold.
” Oosa bo le gbe mi, se mi bo se ba mi”. Governor Makinde’s deity will not, at least, leave the thousands of farmers earning their livelihood in the Eruwa Farm Settlement alone, he would rather inflict pains on them and deprive the people of Ibarapa of the presence of such historic project which could still be upgraded and put to better use in the future.
Neither will he preserve the sanctity of the Legacies of Awolowo, whom politicians like himself will choose to associate with when it is necessary to deceive voters.
Even Awolowo will shudder in his Grave.
I have not seen anything that Ibarapa East, most especially, Eruwa has benefitted from Governor Makinde.
As much as Ibarapa zone has suffered neglect in his Government, Eruwa have been marked for much more disdainful treatments from the Governor.
For example, the road from New Eruwa to Maya market, passing through Lanlate was hurriedly patched shortly before the 2023 gubernatorial election. Ofcourse, that is the only tangible project he has done in Lanlate till date.
He also, hurriedly patched the road from Igbole in Igboora passing through Idere, Ayete, Tapa to Igangan. While the Mini stadium he promised them in Igboora has turned out to be a scam. The said project is an eyesore. Completely abandoned.
I challenge Governor Makinde to point to any project his Government has done in Eruwa till today.
All the roads in Eruwa are in a total mess and I’m sure, very soon, Communities within the town will be disengaged from each other due to lack of accessible road network.
Note that Makinde’s speaker is from Eruwa in Ibarapa East Local Government.
The only project that the Governor and the speaker have been promising the people of Eruwa is the upgrade of the Farm Settlement which is now billed to be sold away to foreigners.
I have repeatedly talked about the snail speed with which the New Eruwa to Ido project is been executed and I will not flog the issue here.
There is no doubts that Governor Seyi Makinde harbors a great deal of resentment against Ibarapa, most especially, Eruwa and the Ibarapa sons and daughters currently working with him should be extremely ashamed of themselves when, not if the Governor finally sell off the Eruwa Farm Settlement because, there is no doubting the fact that It will eventually be sold off.
I think residents of Oyo state should begin to panic because, this Governor will not stop at the Eruwa Farm Settlement.
It looks like there are no spaces left within the state capital that catches his fancy.
Only God knows where he will turn to next and it could be anywhere.
I had severally prayed in the past and hoped that this Governor will not one day wake up and sell off the Oyo state Government House.
Honestly, I do not blame Makinde for the disdain he’s been pouring on Ibarapa.
People get the kind of Government they deserve.
There was no basis for the people of Ibarapa to reelect Governor Makinde and the PDP in that zone but unfortunately, for whatever reasons, Ibarapa chose to reinforce failures.
The consequences of the indescretions is what is now haunting us today.
I find no words strong enough to condemn the action of Governor Makinde and those serving in his Government from Ibarapa zone.
I must however add here that History will never be kind and forgiving to both the Governor and his men in Ibarapa zone when this inglorious action is perfected.
” Oba to je, tilu roju, Omo araye o nii gbagbe won..”. When a king is crowned and the society witness peace, they are forever remembered and vice versa.
” Ohun to ntan ni eegun odun”. The masquerade festivities doesn’t last forever.
SOLA ABEGUNDE.
