Why Makinde’s Politics Of Profiteering Should Worry His Opponents
The world we live in is no longer a fair place.
It is one that has fully blossomed into a perfect description of the jungle.
In the jungle, might, craft and deceits are the ingredients of survival.
I used to view Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo state from a narrow perspective of an inexperienced politician who is fortunate to have in his possession a considerable amount of money such that could move some mountains in our society where principles and honesty worth less.
However, if you carefully analyze the political adventures of Makinde, there is no way you will not come to the conclusion that he is not one to be toyed with.
I must admit that it pains me to discuss how a man succeeded in achieving great heights through crook, deceits and sometimes vicious determination but isn’t that what we now celebrate in our societies today?
Is it not a case of just get it, no matter how ugly?
When you consider how Makinde played a fast one on everyone, veterans in the field of Politics, the masses, the civil servants and the Media enroute his election in 2019, you can not but give it to him that the gentleman have come to town with a unique brand of politics.
He is a man who have proved that he possesses the ability to use some people, dump them when he feels like and again pick them up at will.
The case of a former Deputy Governor to late Alao Akala and a political stalwart in Ibadan, both of who were at logger heads with the Governor throughout his first tenure but who are now chummy with him readily comes to mind.
Some months ago, the two individuals were seen in a video partying in a jet with the Governor enroute Abidjan.
In real terms, these two individuals should be teaching the Governor some political lessons but the reverse is currently the case.
Another typical example of how Governor Makinde have brought his brand of politics to bear is the case of the former Governor of Ekiti state, the ” Oshiomole” himself.
He, together with his younger brother were reputed to have assisted Seyi Makinde to secure the structures of the PDP prior to the 2019 general election.
I think it is a decision Fayose must be regretting and might regret for the rest of his life.
Before the election of 2019, Fayose was firmly in control of the PDP structures in the South West.
Today, the same Fayose is not even in control of the PDP structures in his native Ekiti state.
Makinde not only seized the control of the PDP in the South West, he ensured Fayose was rendered horse de combat in his home state of Ekiti!
Fayose, the one time lonely voice within the PDP even before Nyesom Wike found his voice have become voiceless.
Makinde ensured that.
I can not forget in a hurry, the video of Mukaila Auxiliary, the then Chairman of the PMS in Oyo state, surrounded by vicious looking thugs, threatening Fayose at Osogbo, venue for the PDP South West Congress.
” Fayose, ofo lo ma se”, ” Fayose, you will perish”, Auxiliary had raved in the video using his hands to signal the severing of the neck of the former Governor of Ekiti state.
Indeed, Fayose’s fate was sealed on the fateful day.
I recollect Fayose telling Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television after the Congress that ” Governor Makinde, though, gentle in looks, is deadly in character”.
That brings me to Auxiliary.
Where is the man today?
The one person who caused Oyo state so much pain. The one person everyone advised Governor Makinde to do away with in his first term as Governor. The one who enjoyed the backing and protection of the Governor throughout his first term regardless of whatever he did. The one the Governor would throw caution into the winds to defend. The one Governor Makinde asked Edmund Obilo to show him a better person fit to be the Chairman of PMS?
Where is he today? The man who led thousands of thugs to Osogbo to deal with Fayose. The man who led thugs to kill people in Eruwa in 2021 during the Local Government Election?
Where is he today? He is where the Governor wishes him to be.
That is the typical Makinde brand of politics.
When you need them, feed them. Give them whatever they require and when you’re done using them, throw them into the trash.
Governor Makinde got reelected for a second term in office by all means including the destruction of his party the PDP.
He jumped into the fray of the G-5 and was prominent in the activities of the Group even when it meant engaging in anti- party activities.
He suddenly became an advocate for equity and fairness.
He got what he wanted because those he claimed to help reciprocated by shooting their own party down for Makinde to have his second term.
Now, what is Makinde’s position today?
Is he not the one spearheading the rebuilding of the PDP, praying fervently that the PDP forms the Government at the centre in 2027?
Rumors have been flying around that Makinde will throw his hat into the presidential ring in 2027.
I have personally seen a Facebook page of the Governor in that regard.
Some days ago, he played host to a group of Editors and Media moguls in Ibadan and took them on a tour of some projects.
One of the respected journalists who participated in the Media tour wrote a piece about what transpired and for whatever reason, said, albeit wrongly, that it was Makinde who broke the jinx of second term in Oyo state!
I will discuss about the write up and the mistakes noticed in the write up in another piece.
I will not take it above Governor Makinde if the Media tour have been designed to prepare for something big but we shall see.
Governor Seyi Makinde have largely succeed in his politics of use and dump politics because of the decline in moral values in our society, the lack of discipline and dedication of politicians in Oyo state and a conspiracy of both the elites and the Media.
For me, Governor Makinde is more of what the largely compromised section of the Media and the elites have made him.
Unfortunately, he is lucky to have to play with an opposition that delights in weakening Its own ranks rather than contributing efforts to expose the many weaknesses of the Governor.
The rates at which people are prepared to throw away their integrity on the platter of greed, vengeance and lack of principle is alarming.
Sadly, the Media have been heavily compromised.
What would you say about Media practitioners publicly displaying gifts of exotic cars and turning their airwaves to a campaign avenue for the Governor?
What would you say about the anchor of a program on Radio, who, after an interview with the Governor, took a picture with the Governor in the Studio, put a caption ” Seyi is my guy” and posted same online in less than forty eight hours to the 2023 gubernatorial election?
How can such men see anything wrong with the Governor?
Governor Makinde is a beneficiary of the chaos of lack of integrity that have become our way of life.
All that is required is for his opponents to expose him for what he is but who will do it?
SOLA ABEGUNDE
