‘Odun nlo sopin’, ‘ we are gradually approaching the end of the year ‘ is a lyrics waxed by Mama D.A Fasoyin and the ‘ Good Women Choir’, decades ago.
The Good Women sang a song of prayers to the Almighty, beseeching God to let them and their loved ones end the year in happiness, joy and fulfilment.
‘ Ohun ti o pa wa lekun o tomo-tomo, ma je ko sele si wa o Baba rere’. (Whatever would bring bitterness and wailings to our house, may it not happen to us oh Lord, they sang).
The end of the year festivities is a very special period to almost every human being, regardless of their race and faith.
The Good Women sang that song decades ago but it is still an evergreen till today.
Will the residents caught up in the Circular road corridor disaster be able to sing this song this December?
I will come back to that, let us talk about Sangolade and Badiru.
Of Makinde, Sangolade And Badiru.
‘ Kin lo pa Sangolade ati Badiru po?’ ( what is between Sangolade and Badiru)?
I was a Guest on a live Radio program yesterday.
The anchor of the program, a veteran ace Broadcaster did a beautiful piece which has kept poking my consciousness since then.
It was a beautiful piece of literary proverb that you could only hear from such men of great experience.
He told the story of a menace that is so common in our societies these days.
The unholy alliances between those in Government and Leaders of Transport Unions.
He employed beautiful symbolism to tell the story of ‘ Sangolade ‘ and ‘ Badiru’, who, ordinarily, by their names, should be world apart.
Sangolade is naturally a name given to a traditional worshipper while Badiru on the other hand is a name given to a believer in Islam.
I believe the two names were specifically chosen by our very wise Elders to depict two people of distinct faith and beliefs but who, despite their incompatibility still engages in questionable associations.
The purpose of that story, according to my understanding and as it unfolded as brilliant analysts shed more lights on the topic, is that those in positions of authority shouldn’t be engaging in unholy alliances with people of questionable characters.
An example of the notorious Bayo aka Success and the havoc he wrecked in Lagos in his hey days was well discussed by the Panel and I was blessed by their wisdom.
As I sat down there in the studio, listening to those brilliant men, I began to process the lessons from the unholy alliances between Governor Seyi Makinde and some characters around him.
The Governor should be Sangolade.
I kept wondering what exactly his Sangolade is looking for from the Badirus around him.
One of such Badirus is Mukaila aka Auxiliary.
Mukaila Auxiliary is presently being held in detention at the Agodi Correctional facility, courtesy of Governor Seyi Makinde and perhaps, his Chief Badiru, Seye Famojuro.
Interestingly, Mukaila Auxiliary, as the Chairman of the Oyo state Parks Management System, PMS, was Law unto himself.
He was reckless, dangerous, daring and vocal.
His cocksuredness was out of this world.
The fellow left prison shortly before the 2019 general election but according to him, he, as the proverbial Badiru, was approached by Governor Seyi Makinde, the Sangolade in this instance and he was asked to be ‘ in charge of Makinde’s security ‘ for the 2019 general election.
Aren’t you curious?
Neither of Governor Seyi Makinde nor Seye had denied this claim by Mukaila Auxiliary, at least, to my knowledge.
No matter what Mukaila Auxiliary was accused of doing, Governor Makinde was always up in arms to defend his Badiru.
The Governor was never ashamed of defending him.
Infact, during a Debate program for the 2023 gubernatorial election, he went bare knuckles and even issued threats to Teslim Folarin, Oyo APC Candidate, who referred to Auxiliary as an ex convict.
Not until Auxiliary crossed the line and started divulging information that are not meant for public consumption, did Governor Makinde saw the needs to tame him.
Kin lo pa Sangolade ati Badiru po? ( What is between Sangolade and Badiru)?
I also remember how a particular Broadcaster in Ibadan here, another of Governor Makinde’s Badiru, used to beat his chest, telling whoever cared to listen that he is a ‘ Stakeholder ‘ in Makinde’s Government.
The fellow in question also had some issues with the police before the 2019 general election.
Without an appointment letter from Government, this particular Badiru was in the habit of going to public schools to create a nuisance!
He allegedly got some controversial contracts from the Government of Makinde.
Not long ago, he was involved in a terrible situation where lives of innocent children were lost.
He and others were charged to court but the Oyo state Government withdraw the charges for no tenable reasons.
The fellow is presently gearing up to contest as Governor of Oyo state in 2027.
Sangolade ati Badiru!
On the eve of the jamboree organized by Governor Seyi Makinde and others at the Adamasingba Sports Stadium, the current Chairman of PMS, Tomiwa aka Tommy, usurped the responsibilities of Governor Seyi Makinde as the Chief Security officer of Oyo state and issued traffic restrictions in some parts of Oyo state!
Sangolade ati Badiru!
The one you could call the Chief Badiru, Seye Famojuro, is very unique.
Local Government Chairmen call him ‘ Oga’, even on Radio.
He is so prominent despite not holding any known political office.
Only the Governor knows exactly what is between them.
A couple of weeks ago, I saw the video of a poor old woman, calling Seye Famojuro Governor Makinde’s Deputy!
That is how prominent he is.
Sangolade ati Badiru!
I will discuss Governor Makinde’s Badirus in a later date, particularly, Seye, Auxiliary and the ‘ Stakeholder ‘ Broadcaster.
Let us get back to Governor Makinde’s Caterpillars of death and destruction.
I have asked a question as to whether the victims of Governor Seyi Makinde’s disastrous policy at the Circular road corridor could join others to sing ‘ Odun nlo sopin’ this December.
Where will they get the mouths to sign?
Governor Makinde has sealed their lips.
The most unfortunate part is that the Governor doesn’t want to accept responsibilities for his wickedness.
Recently, he has been trying to shift the blame on the late former Governor Ajimobi.
His Government has also mentioned the name of the late Isaac Omodewu, a Commissioner under Ajimobi.
Government officials have also been alleged of alluding to a purported Gazette.
All these excuses are laughable.
Governor Makinde is indeed desperate.
He wants opportunities but is not prepared to take responsibilities for the pains occasioned by the opportunities.
I thought as Yorubas, we used to avoid bringing the names of dead people into controversial issues, most especially, when we are actually not telling the truth.
Assuming without conceding that Ajimobi and Omodewu actually did what the Makinde Government is alleging them to have done, how is it difficult to overturn the decision?
If truly the 500m policy had been gazetted, was the amendments to the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration Laws not gazetted by Ajimobi?
Did Makinde not tamper with the gazette?
What is the big deal in coming up with another gazette which will revert to 75m?
The residents have been making series of damaging allegations which the Makinde Government has not denied.
They claim that Government Agents have been trying to erect pillars beyond the initially erected 75m and that they have been preventing them.
They claim that Government Agents have been erecting those pillars in dead of nights!
They alleged that billboards carrying messages of the advertisements of their properties are already been erected.
Now, will Governor Makinde confirm to the public if these actions are also been carried out by Ajimobi and Omodewu?
Governor Makinde’s intention is plain and simple.
Take away what belongs to the poor and give to the rich.
This is no time to play the Ostrich.
The Caterpillars of death and destruction which were dispatched to the Circular road were dispatched on the instructions of the Governor and no one would share in the blames.
He has chosen to oppress the poor with the Constitutional powers given to him over Land, pure and simple.
That is going to be his Legacy.
That is what he would be remembered for.
Unfortunately, he was up in arms against the late Ajimobi for something far less before he became Governor.
Who would have known that he was playing politics at the time.
I wonder where he got the mouth to accuse the protesters that they were being sponsored by politicians.
Perhaps, he did same against Ajimobi and is now afraid of his shadows.
May God Almighty continue to provide the needed strength for the affected residents at the Circular road corridor in this trying times.
Sola Abegunde.
