By Sulaimon Olanrewaju
There is a Prophet Beelzebub crisscrossing social media platforms in Oyo State with a cataclysmic prediction. The prophet, who is apparently the megaphone of some political elements in the state, has been on overdrive since the break out of the local government autonomy brouhaha trying to gain relevance in the state by disparaging Governor Seyi Makinde. In the warped imagination of this prophet and his sponsors, the way up for them politically is to try and pull down the governor who they see as the albatross to their political significance. The prophet, who has already recruited some simple-minded disciples, does not see any good thing in the horizon for the state. Instead what his Ouija board has revealed to him is the imminence of a massive wind that would blow and cause serious damage to the state government. When he consulted his crystal ball for divination, the feedback was that a storm would blow through the state that would discomfit the governor.
The aim of these fellows is clear: Distract the governor with a view to making him do less of what had endeared him to the people by drawing him away from governance into politicking. But they underrated the man they are dealing with. Makinde knows enough to realize that what these folks want is attention that would result in distraction. So, he has resolved to totally ignore them.
For the information of Prophet Beelzebub and his company, Makinde didn’t get to where he is by a night flight, he worked his way up. He built a multinational business from the scratch. He is laser-focused. He has enough steel in him to stave off distractions.
So, instead of paying attention to the doomsayers, Makinde has focused on the Oyo project. He has been busy building bridges and strengthening governance.
Just yesterday, Governor Makinde, who is observing his annual leave, paid a visit to a former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. There have been rumours of a cold war between the duo. But the visit of the governor thawed the ice and put the rumour mongers out of job. So, those who have been fanning the embers of discord between the two leaders can look for another engagement.
On Governor Makinde’s instruction, Barrister Bayo Lawal, Oyo State Acting Governor, inaugurated the governing board of the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority headed by Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd) yesterday, with the mandate to coordinate and complement the implementation of the provisions of Oyo State Laws and Regulations relating to health and environmental standards, asset management/maintenance and road traffic safety and maintenance, among other functions.
So, Governor Makinde is busy discharging his responsibility as the number one citizen of Oyo State. He has completely ignored the cynics and concentrated on his vision of birthing a peaceful, prosperous and orderly state.
So, Prophet Beelzebub and Company, don’t get too excited about the coming of winds and storms. You can take this to the bank: If there is a wind, Makinde will ride over it. If there is a storm, Makinde will weather it because he has the backing of the people.
Prophet Beelzebub, let’s take a retreat into history…
Back in the days when Germany was divided, a huge wall separated East and West Berlin.
One day, some people in East Berlin took a truck load of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side.
The people of West Berlin could have done the same thing, but they didn’t. Instead they took a truck load of canned goods, bread, milk and other provisions, and neatly stacked it on the East Berlin side.
On top of this stack they placed the sign: Each gives what he has.
Prophet Beelzebub and Company, keep throwing your stones since that is all you have, Makinde will build with them.
Keep throwing your lemons, Makinde will make lemonade with them.
Keep throwing your insults, Makinde will turn them into results.
Keep throwing your bile, Makinde will turn them into bills of progress.
Each person gives what he has; no one can give what he lacks.
Dr Olanrewaju is the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor.
