Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state is one individual who surely loves to amuse.
Sometimes you imagine what a fantastic clown the Governor would have been if he had chosen to go the way of the Baba Suwes and Baba Latins.
The Governor, a couple of weeks ago treated us to another round of amusement.
He had declared that the one who will succeed him would have to be in his fifties and according to him, there will be no room for people above sixty to be Governor of Oyo state.
What a rib cracking, yet expensive joke?
Expensive in the sense that the statement does portray the Governor as someone who have completely forgotten his place and have set so much, far beyond his reach in store for himself and that is exactly why the statement is at the same time hilarious.
When we were young, our parents used to warn us whenever we engaged in dangerous kids play, most especially, when in such instances, we just had our bellies filled.
” E yee se ere bekun- bekun” our parents will warn.
Governor Makinde, by that funny statement have decided to engage in one dangerous “ere bekun-bekun”.
In the first instance, Governor Makinde have arrogated to himself the power of both the electorates and even, God Almighty, enthrones and dethrones.
That statement shows him as someone who doesn’t believe in the democratic process but one who rather sees election as one where only his wish must be accepted by all.
Unfortunately for Governor Makinde, the gubernatorial election is not one which is conducted by his OYSIEC and Aare Isiaka Olaguju.
It is not a Local Government Election where the OYSIEC of Olagunju will announce results in favour of Governor Makinde’s PDP even in Local Governments where no ballot boxes were sighted.
I wonder how Governor Makinde concluded that this is the right time to start a needles controversy about his successor when he is just barely a year in office for a second term.
One would have expected Governor Makinde to dissipate energy on the failing sectors of Government under his watch.
Oyo state is wallowing in monumental debts. Local Governments are comatose and Oyo Education sector is gasping for breath under Governor Makinde.
Yet, he felt this is the time to start a controversy on an issue that does nothing to better the lives of the citizens of Oyo state.
If the Governor were to have deeper thoughts, the statement is not healthy even for himself.
He is a second timer in Government.
Naturally, many of his close associates and appointees will be looking up to his endorsement as a successor.
That statement just created a line between those who fall in and out of the bracket as set by the Governor.
The Governor must have had an idea of those expecting his endorsement as morons who will just accept disqualification because of the Governor’s standards.
Another angle to look at it is the fact that Governor Makinde is so full of himself that he imagined that his personal standards will be binding within his party and outside of it.
Who exactly does Governor Makinde think he is?
Some Lord of the Manor?
In Oyo state?
He had his palm kernel cracked for him by benevolent spirits twice.
I think that act of benevolence have gone into the Governor’s thoughts and have overbloated his ego.
I have seen some concerned citizens of Oyo state written letters and reacted to Governor Makinde’s amusing statement.
Is it really worth it?
I think no.
There is the Yoruba folklore of the concubine of Amuda, who claims to spend what he never earns in a month on a daily basis.
” Oni yeye ale Amuda, to ngba Kobo losu, to nna toro lojumo”.
Governor Makinde’s amusing statement is better situated in the line of the Amuda in the folklore.
There is no point wrestling with a man who threatened to do that which he obviously lacks the power and the authority to do.
May Governor Makinde continue in his day dreaming.
He will soon wake up to the reality of his folly.
SOLA ABEGUNDE
