By Adeyinka Adeniran
The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has told Governor Seyi Makinde to be conscious of his expected role as a leader of the people by avoiding inflammatory and inciting statements whenever he has chance to speak to the people especially in the public.
APC’s submission apparently came against the background of certain outbursts contained in the address delivered by Gov. Makinde in Saki on Saturday during the Church Service organized as part of the burial arrangements for the late Babalaje of Sakiland and former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho.
Oyo APC, in a statement issued at the weekend and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s remarks as premeditated, vengeful and unbecoming as it was capable of setting the good people of Saki and entire Oke-Ogun against themselves on account of diversity in faith adherence.
“We have been inundated with various accounts of derisive and volatile comments made by Gov. Makinde yesterday (Saturday) at an occasion where sober reflection and statesmanship was expected of any leader of his status. In clear terms, he (Makinde) described the people of Saki as hateful and fanatical on account of politicking since he claimed they did not give enough support to his reelection in 2023 because he was not a Muslim like the majority of them.
“The governor also used the opportunity to express his anger against the residents of Saki West Constituency who showed preference for the candidate of the APC in the last February bye-election which the candidate of his party (PDP) narrowly lost. Sad enough, Gov. Makinde revealed that it was this development which made him stop the construction work on Saki-Ogboro Road until the late Chief Michael Koleosho had to beg him and the implementation of the already awarded project was resumed.
“We are particularly worried that Gov. Makinde throws caution to the wind in most cases when he gets the opportunity to address the public. Meanwhile, an occasion like that of the last weekend offered him a platform to present his scorecard as the executive governor of Oyo state in the last five and a half years as well as calm the nerves of the citizens who have been suffering in the face of the current economic situation in the country. This was a governor who has received enormous financial resources on behalf of the masses since he came into office without a meaningful impact on the residents of the Pacesetter state.
“Why would a governor seek to set the people against themselves in a society where they cohabitate in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters? Why did Gov. Makinde choose a well populated church auditorium to talk down on the Muslims in a town like Saki? Why does he find it difficult to confine everything that happened in the last election to the dustbin of history after all, he won by hook or crook? It is time eminent personalities within and outside the state sought audience with Gov. Makinde with a view to making him realize the demand of his office as it concerns encouraging peace and unity among the citizenry.” APC stated.
