Many might say he’s destined to be the Governor, others may refer to his emergence as luck, but I personally believe Engr Seyi Makinde is only passionate about his ambition and this finally led to his occupation of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
He was elected to fulfil his destiny as the Governor and his hard work, perseverance and activeness in politics since 2007 when he first emerged on the political scene to contest for the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and in 2010 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he aspired for the Oyo South 2011 Senatorial seat but still lost.
Having attempted twice for the Upper Chamber but all to no avail. He changed his political game plan for governorship position under PDP in 2015 but upon the conclusion of the party’s primary election, he was denied the governorship nomination ticket and this made him to swap to Social Democratic Party as the gubernatorial candidate, but lost out in the end.
After wide consultations with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in 2019, Engr Seyi Makinde eventually emerged as the gubernatorial candidate for the party. This gave a lot of people the assurance that the time of the long awaiting governor has come. The race began and he defeated his major opponent in almost all the local government in the state and this remarkable landmark can be referred to as the real “Koseleri” compared to the previous gubernatorial elections that has taken place in the state from years past.
Upon winning at the poll, the hope of the people of Oyo State was ignited, knowing fully well that Engr Oluseyi Makinde would fulfil all his political promises through the help of God and indeed to some extent, this is turning into reality in the state as a year in office by his excellency has recorded tremendous achievements roughly in all sectors and the people of Oyo are laughing again.
To say the fact, Engr Seyi Makinde fought a good fight and won, maybe that’s why he was named the Aare Jagunmolu of Ibadan land. He has shown remarkable dedication and commitment towards developing the state in all sectors and this has possibly endeared a lot of people to his personality which has almost turned him into a political party in Nigeria. At the moment, almost all citizens in Nigeria wish Seyi Makinde is the Governor of their state and some even wish he could govern their state for some days.
As today makes it a year that Engr Seyi Makinde took over the leadership of Oyo state, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to sing-praise him of his tremendous landmark achievements which seems to be like a magic to so many people as they never thought just a good thing could come out of Seyi Makinde’s Jerusalem but the abandoned stone has become the cornerstone of the house and the nation at large due to his unprecedented successes. While many might posits that it is too early to sing his praises now, then I ask, when should it be? Ku’se ni mori ise ya!
Just as Yoruba would say “Aa ki moorin titi, kori o maa mi”, indeed, no one is perfect aside God and that is why it is important to point out to the “People’s Governor” as often referred to, that there are still a lot of things to do. Indigenes of Oyo State have very high hopes on him and his administration.
It is believed that he already had a great start, but the end of a thing is better than the beginning thereof. Presently, majority of the state is now a fan of Seyi Makinde since his assumption of office, then it pertinent for you to continue the good work you have started without any form of discrimination, just as you promised all inclusive government during your electioneering campaign.
Mr Governor, I love to remind you that you are still not loved by all in the state and I’m quite sure this is well known to you, but your style of governance has made you to have more friends than enemies in such a way that your enemies can’t even declare publicly that they’re against you and this is not because of the position you occupied, but the prevailing notion of the young and old in the state and across the nation.
Dear Engineer, as your name is now turning to a well accepted political party on its own and people are showering accolades on you every now and then. We pray all other years you will use as the people’s governor will be full of mind-blowing achievements in all nooks and crannies of the state and in such a way that the people of Oyo would say ” When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”
But as the current situation is in Oyo state, a larger percent of the populace can say “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad”.
Meanwhile, a lot is still expected to be done in all sectors and only when all these are done, we all sing “Asiwaju niwa…” together and give glory unto God that “Oluwa to seyi, adupe!
Kayode Awojobi writes from Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
