I had been trying to find time to say something about Governor Seyi Makinde’s bowing and trembling before the former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike.
A couple of weeks ago, the Governor of Oyo state was in far away Rivers state, tails between legs, to beg his Oga and former Governor of Rivers state, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
While Governor Makinde was away on holidays, some Governors elected under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by its Chairman and the Bauchi state Governor , Bala Muhammed,met in Taraba state and part of the decision of their meeting was to declare support for the Governor of Rivers state, Siminalaye Fubara who has been having a running battle with Wike, his estranged godfather over the control of both the PDP and the Local Governments in Rivers state.
The PDP Governors present at the meeting declared that the NWC of the PDP should recognize Fubara as the leader of the PDP in Rivers state in line with the tradition of the party.
A few days after the Taraba state meeting, Wike threatened that he would set fire on the states of the Governors who showed solidarity to Fubara.
He didn’t stop at that. He declared that he is bigger than all of the PDP state Governors combined. Whatever that meant.
Please note that Governor Makinde was not present at the Taraba state meeting of the PDP Governor’s Forum and neither was he represented by his Deputy.
One would have thought that his absence at the meeting would suffice for him to show that his loyalty belongs to Wike.
Similarly, the PDP Governor’s Forum through Its Chairman, Bala Mohammed declared that the PDP Acting National Chairman must vacate the seat for a candidate from the North Central in line with the Constitution of the Party and in the spirit of the zoning arrangements within the Party.
A few days after the declaration by Bala Mohammed, Governor Makinde, during an official function in Ibadan said both himself and the Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who was present for the function would keep supporting the Acting National Chairman against the decision of the PDP Governor’s Forum.
Unfortunately for Governor Seyi Makinde, the Osun state Governor refuted such claims that same evening and reinstated that he was committed to the decision of the PDP Governor’s Forum as declared by Bala Mohammed.
Now to the issue of fire. About two weeks ago, Governor Makinde was in Rivers state to beg a former Governor not to set fire in Oyo state!
A sitting Governor fully clothed in immunity. The supposed Chief security officer of Oyo state, trembling and begging a former Governor not to set fire in his state!
Wonders they say, shall never end.
Governor Seyi Makinde who did not blink once before he rubbish the agreement he had with coalition partners in 2019!
The same Governor Makinde who once told a former Leader of the House of Representatives to go to places. ” Eni to ba maa daso fun ni, torun e la ko maa wo now”, those were his exact words on live Radio.
Did Governor Makinde not once dared those who formed the coalition to help him become Governor in 2019 to go and make another person Governor if they were so sure that they were the ones who made him Governor!?
So, there is a level to ego? A Tiger in Oyo state. A cub in Rivers!
Sadly but interestingly, the Deity that Governor Makinde trembled before in Rivers state has been humbled by a cub he supposedly raised.
I have thought about the avoidable mentality of slavish and submissive relationship between those in positions of Authority and I see that those who deliberately chose to be subservient to others just because they want to remain relevant are missing the point.
How could Governor Wike put fire in Oyo state if Governor Makinde is doing the right things and having the people of Oyo state behind him?
Definitely, Governor Makinde was not begging Wike on behalf of Oyo state. No one sent him on such a disgraceful errands.
Whatever Governor Makinde was begging Wike for must definitely be personal between the two of them.
It is a big insult to the people of Oyo state that our Chief security officer would have to go to Rivers state to crawl before a former Governor just because the latter threatened to put fire in Oyo state.
He shouldn’t be begging. He should be daring but what would eye service not cause?
If the Governor had gone to beg his boss not to scorch him with fire in the games of G-5 politics, no problems. That is his personal problem. Even if he had prostrated in public because of that, no one would have cared.
In fact, our Elders are wise. ” Eni ba ni Oun o sin Olorun, Oosa ti o to Olorun ni o maa sin”. ( If you can bow down to worship God Almighty, you will end up bowing before mere mortals and deities “.
I think Governor Makinde just found his perfect deity and I can not but wish him happy worshipping.
He could not bow before those he called ” father” in Oyo but is comfortable trembling before the former Governor of Rivers state, who I believe , would bow before those the Governor snubbed in Oyo state.
May we not run short of the words of our Elders. The child who forgot his root carrys with him, a bag full of suffering. ( Omo to ba so Ile nu, o so apo iya ko).
This morning, I read about the state Governors who have approached the Supreme Court of Nigeria asking that the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC be scrapped.
The Governors also raised issues about the authority of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit ( NFIU) to issue directives, guidelines, advisories, or similar instruments concerning the management of funds belonging to Kogi state or any local Government within it.
The action was originally commenced by the Kogi state Attorney general on behalf of the state but 15 other states applied to join the suit and they have been joined by the order of the Supreme Court.
The matter has been adjourned for hearing on the 22nd of October.
Not surprisingly, Oyo state also applied and was joined as Plaintiff to the suit.
I have my personal opinion about the exercise which I am prohibited from making at this point.
However, why would the Governor of Oyo state be interested in the scrapping of the EFCC?
I can understand why a Governor who is uncomfortable with financial Autonomy for Local Governments would have issues with the NFIU, even though, I see no justifications for the agitations.
However, for the EFCC, why?
After all, Governor Makinde is voiceferous about his determination to block leakages and wastages in Government.
He is the only Governor in the South West, to my knowledge who has taken the Bulls by the horns to establish the Oyo State Anti corruption Agency, ( OYSACA).
Governor Seyi Makinde should be a champion of Anti corruption both at the state and the Federal levels. So, what’s happening?
I think I can provide some answers as to why the Governor is agitated and would wish that the EFCC ceases to exist.
People like us have raised several issues regarding perceived corruption within his Government.
The issues of the Light Up Oyo, the Garages built with billions of Naira, the rehabilitation and construction of some Stadia, the Administration of Local Government funds, the award of contract for exercise books, Agbowo shopping complex and many more are issues that will agitate the mind of a Governor who is on his way out of the garb of immunity.
Governor Makinde knows that OYSACA will never try him for corruption but it is not the same with the EFCC.
I am only curious that he is worried about the EFCC.
Isn’t the president of Nigeria covered by the immunity clause and I think he is also being urged to contest for the presidency in 2027?
Just yesterday, I read a piece titled ” From Governor Seyi Makinde, GSM To President Seyi Makinde, PSM”.
If I were Governor Makinde, I would just intensify on my campaign to be president in 2027 and that would automatically take care of the fears of the EFCC and effectively so.
All hail the PSM.
SOLA ABEGUNDE
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