I think at this point, it is safe to say that there are two Governors in Oyo state. The elected Governor, Seyi Makinde and the other one, the unelected Governor, Seye Famojuro.
The overbearing influences of Seye Famojuro used to be a matter known only in Government and PDP circles until very recently, when the fellow from Osun state began to advertise his annoying abuse of privilege in public.
I just saw a report with pictures and videos attached. In the report, Seye Famojuro was quoted as giving assurances to Traders, specifically, herbal sellers at Ajebo International Market, that they will not be displaced. I will quote certain paragraphs from the story to emphasis my points.
The first paragraph reads, ” herbal medicine traders at Ajebo International Market, popularly known as Elewe-Omo Lekuleja Market in Ibadan, have been assured that their trading space(s) remain secure as government officials pledged protection against alleged land grabbers”.
Now, let’s see the follow up paragraph 2.Â
It reads and I quote, ” the assurance was given by Otunba Seye Famojuro during a meeting with representatives of the traditional herbal sellers operating at the market located around the Old NITEL area in Molete, within Ibadan South West Local Government Area of Oyo state”.
Now, paragraph 3. ” Famojuro reassured the traders that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to protecting the interests of the masses, including market operators who depend on the facility for their livelihoods “.
For all intent and purposes, the Market in question is the property of a particular Local Government within Ibadan. The Constitution of the Federal of Nigeria has placed the maintenance of markets under the purview of Local Governments.
I am not aware that Seye Famojuro is the Chairman of any of the 33 Local Governments in Oyo state. I am also not aware that he is an official of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Government. The question is, where did he get the authority to interfere in the maintenance and administration of the Ajebo Market?
We are seriously in soup in Oyo state and I can categorically say it that no Governor in the history of Oyo state has indulged an individual who is not officially a member of his Government as Governor Makinde is indulging Seye Famojuro.
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It is ridiculous and at the same time sad that even the marketers would bypass the Chairman of the Local Government and placed their grievances before an individual with no specific official roles in the Local Government.
I recollect that I wrote a story not long ago about ‘ Sangodele and Badaru’. That story was inspired by a session I had with a veteran Broadcaster and some analysts last year. ( Kin lo pa Sangodele ati Badaru po)?
The relationship between Governor Makinde’s ‘ Sangodele ‘ and Seye Famojuro’s ‘ Badaru’ has reached a point where every sensible citizens of Oyo state must begin to get worried. If the fellow was meddling in PDP affairs, I wouldn’t have minded but this is governance we are talking about here.
That Seye Famojuro was giving assurances to people regarding the property, the assets of a local Government within Oyo state, in Ibadan, the state Capital for that matter? The audacity should worry any right thinking person. It was the late Ayinde Barrister who sang about the audacious dog and It’s master. ( Ki alaja o yaa mu aja e so..).
Incidentally, Governor Seyi Makinde is the one who is always fond of finding faults in his predecessors. I think it’s high time we all ask him to specifically divine the roles of Seye Famojuro in his Government.
Perhaps, I need to reproduce paragraphs 4 and 5 of the annoying report so that everyone will see exactly what we are dealing with.
Paragraph 4. ” He emphasized that the traders would not be forced out of the market, adding that any issues concerning the land would be addressed through dialogue with the market leadership and relevant government authorities”.
In paragraph 5, it is reported and I quote, ” according to him (Seye), any future development or restructuring within the market would be carried out in consultation with the executives of the traders’ association to ensure fairness and transparency”.
If Seye Famojuro spoke like this, with this confidence of finality, then, who needs a Governor?
It does appear like ‘ Sangodele ‘ has surrendered the reins of Government to ‘ Badaru’ in Oyo state. I think ‘ Sangodele ‘ is concerned much more about politics so, ‘ Badaru’ would be holding fort in Government. We are definitely witnessing interesting times in Oyo state.
The ‘ Badaru’ no one voted for, a stranger in our midst is now in total control! I am specifically inviting the attention of the public and Governor Makinde’s rabid defenders to this unfortunate events.
So that, when Governor Makinde eventually gets his acts together and it is time to convince the electorates, we will be bringing this issues into the narratives. Governor Makinde will not be in control of the issues that will shape the 2027 election.
We have gone beyond the semantics of, ” 2027 will be between the APC and Nigerians”. Only a docile opposition would follow that path.
Governor Makinde would have to tell us about ‘ Badaru’ and what roles he is planning to reserve for him beyond 2027.
Ibadan is the Capital of Oyo state and I love one of their Anthem. ( Ogun, o ko wa ri, Omo Ibadan kii se eru eni kookan…).
I think the whole of Oyo state will be united to sing that song for Governor Seyi Makinde and his ‘ Badaru’ when the time is ripe.
Enough of this Jagbajantis.
Sola Abegunde.
