A group, Forum of Ibarapa Indigenes in Diaspora has told the Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde that the Ibarapa zone of the state needs infrastructural development not birthday celebration.
The group in a statement signed by its chairman, Adebayo Adedigba and secretary, Taiwo Kareem and made available to newsmen on Monday said they have gathered that Governor Makinde will be celebrating his birthday on 25th of December this year at Ibarapa zone.
While lamenting the rate of insecurity in the zone, the group criticized the Seyi Makinde-led government for neglecting the zone while other zones in the state are getting attention.
The statement read in full: “According to Janet Ogundairo and Feyisitan Ijimakinwa in their article titled “Pastoralism and politics of exclusion in Ibarapa” dividend of democracy refers to the accruable and expected benefits of democratic governance. It may include, but not limited to, the rule of law, improved standard of living, enhanced atmosphere of peace and stability, and provision of basic social amenities such as electricity, potable water, political positions, health services, credit and educational facilities. Prior to 2015 and 2019 elections Eng Makinde toured and campaigned in all the 7 towns of Ibarapa with the promise that equity, justice and fairness will be the cornerstone of his administration. People of Ibarapa trusted him and it is on record that despite his abysmal performance and rejection even in his ward and local government, the only LG he won in 2015 election is in Ibarapa. It is also on record that the three local governments in Ibarapa were the first to be declared for him in 2019 gubernatorial election.
“However, going by the above definition of dividend of democracy, the Forum of Ibarapa Indigene in Diaspora would want to remind Gov Seyi Makinde that his administration is a total failure, and it will appear that he has truly manifested his disdain to Ibarapa. It looks like the good people of Ibarapa love him, but he has reciprocated this with betrayal of trust.
“Until recently, security of life in Ibarapa axis has never been as worst as this. Previous governments never paid “lip services” to security nor “politicize security” of lives. For instance, one of the biggest legacies of Ajimobi is PEACE across nooks and cranes of Oyo State. It is on record that Makinde never responded to both written and oral requests for intervention on continuous killings, rapping, macheting, kidnapping, etc of Ibarapas by the Fulani herders until the brutal murder of Dr Fatai Aborode. Even at this, it took intervention of Sunday Igboho to wake up Gov Makinde from slumber as the number one security man in Oyo State. The “I don’t care attitude” continues until another massacre in Igangan which left scores of people dead and destruction of many properties. Mr Governor may wish to know that the peace currently being enjoyed in Ibarapa is as a result of SELF-HELPS from the communities. Our people are now able to go to their farms and go about daily businesses courtesy protection from community vigilante groups being funded from contributions from the poor farmers of Ibarapa.
“Sir, you may wish to know that your nickname within Ibarapa is “Social Media Governor”. To our knowledge in Ibarapa, your projects are mostly on social media with nothing tangible to point at within our axis. For instance, all our Primary Health Care Centres are same as Pre 2019. The only exception is the isolation centre in Oja Oba Igboora. This is an existing facility merely renovated despite huge resources from the federal government.
“Mr Governor, during electioneering in 2018, you publicly demonised and berated Ajimobi led administration for failure to provide constant portable water for the good people of Ibarapa. You did say government had no excuse not to solve challenges related to water deliveries within the region. Dear, Governor, we wish to remind you that after two and a half ye
