The Lawmaker who represented Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency between 2015-2019 in the Oyo State Assembly, Hon Muideen Olagunju Alatede has faulted the obtainment of a N28bn credit facility by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to fix street lights.
The former Lawmaker who described the light- up project as a good initiative noted that the money could have been better utilized.
Featuring on BOTTOMLINE a weekly political programme on IBR 92.5fm Ibadan anchored by Aanuoluwapo Omorinde, Olagunju said “though the project is a laudable one but it is restricted to the major roads, it does not cover the interlands”.
I drive through these roads and I enjoy the aesthetics but how sustainable is this project?. I think this money could have been put in other critical sectors that need urgent attention’. Though the government claims it is to improve security but this is a misplaced priority.
“For instance, I had an injury on my leg and I went to Jericho Specialist hospital and I was asked to pay for the hand gloves that the nurse will wear to dress my wound. That is an aberration!”.
When reminded that this is a common practice in Nigerian hospitals even the tertiary hospitals, Olagunju said that is not a justification for the anomaly.
Speaking further, the Lawyer turned Politician alleged that the education sector is also not having it good at the moment.
In his words, “have we built new schools? No! Go to our schools all around it is only then you will realize the rot. There is a lot of infrastructural decay”. These are the things we should be spending money on. I was the Chairman of the School Governing Board of a School before it was scrapped by Governor Seyi Makinde. I know how I was calling people everywhere to solicit for funds for the school”.
Olagunju also revealed on the programme that he had joined the All Progressives Congress after due consultation with likeminds.
Admitting that political parties are not the problem of Nigeria but the people, he recalled what transpired before, during and after the 2019 governorship election in the State.
According to him, “without the coalition in 2019, the PDP couldn’t have won that election. After the election, the moves of Governor Seyi Makinde show that he was prepared to act the way he is doing. Senator Femi Lanlehin was unfairly treated.
When asked if there is a written agreement between all the parties concerned, he said there is none but added that “when you ask them if there was a coalition, they can’t deny it”.
On the rumour that all Stakeholders in the coalition agreement were ‘financially settled’, he denied it.
“I can speak for Senator Femi Lanlehin. He never received any money in his individual capacity but some money was given to mobilize members of the African Democratic Party (ADC) for the election. The Governor has shown that he is comfortable to work with certain people who have benefitted more than they deserve neglecting other critical stakeholders in the coalition arrangement”.
Olagunju who said he has no personal grouse with Governor Makinde as he has had courses to interact with him on many occasions asked the governor not to rule out surprises in 2023 adding that he may need another coalition in the next election.
The Oyo born Politician who refused to admit that Governor Makinde has grown to become a political colossus said “his strength has only been tested within his party. The reason for the crisis in his party should be queried in the first place”
