Mon. Feb 10th, 2025
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We would be preaching to the choir if we all decided to tell leaders that their key mandate and cardinal duty centers on the security of lives and properties domiciled within the corners of the state they superintend. This is why when there seems to be an absence of concern or a perception of an inadequacy in response to security threats, we all look to the leaders for answers that better have solutions and not just thoughts or prayers when the repulsive odour of chaos fills the air.

Before the advent of Governor Seyi Makinde administration in 2019, there were already conversations around the abolishing of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for security reasons and after his inauguration, a clearer picture was revealed for all to gaze upon.

According to the Oyo State Government, it immediately took over motor parks in the state in order to curb alleged security breaches and factional clashes of the union members in some areas of Ibadan, the state capital. In fact, a few members of the union were arrested around the same time for allegedly causing trouble at motor parks. It was clear that the governor meant business on this issue. Nonetheless, time has a way of revealing all and like our elders say, “Darkness cannot erase a wrong thing, it can only cast a huge shadow over it”.

Asides the governor and a few of his supporters, it is fair to say not many people fancied the idea of the appointment of Lamidi Mukaila who is popularly known as “Auxiliary” as the one to head the Park Management System (PMS) which replaced the NURTW, especially since the reason for the takeover was to forestall insecurity. The question at the time was; why give the new system to an individual who has antecedents that goes against the key message of the takeover. Or is true that the whole change of  transport union system was just a reward for Mr. Mukaila’s alleged support for the governor’s candidacy as claimed in certain quaters?

Some feel if only the governor had listened to the barrage of mixed reactions from residents and lovers of Oyo State, then maybe the unfortunate events of last Wednesday might have never happened. How is it that Mr. Ramon Azeez had to die for simply telling members of the PMS to move their cars from the entrance of the shopping complex along Iwo Road?

How do you explain to that man’s family that one of theirs died for that?
Although Mr. Mukaila has denied all the allegations linking him to the dastardly act, it would be sad to see the relative peace in Oyo State vanish into thin air due to the inability of few persons to simply act responsibly.

Many aggrieved residents of Oyo State are of the opinion that while the governor’s visit to the place of the mayhem is commendable, it would have been much better if a person did not have to die over an issue so trivial and irritating to the ears. Those who make this argument feel the government cannot continue to offer thoughts, prayers and reactions to security crises, when it can very well be proactive.

If a media person can be killed after living a bar just days ago, if farmers can be killed on their farms because herders continue to threaten them, if ethnic clashes intermittently dominate certain areas of the state, if members of Park Management System would allegedly kill a man in broad day light, then the governor needs to move quickly and ensure that we do not see a repeat of such.

If governor Seyi Makinde cares about the progress and development he has brought to the people of Oyo State in such a short time, he will not watch enemies of progress make the good he has done have a short life span. Enough is enough!

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