In our first State of the State Address held on the 21st January 2022, we raised several critical issues affecting the generality of Osun people. One of such critical issues we raised is the escalating tension in the State’s political space and how it portends danger to the dwellers of the State.
We stated the following in that address:
“We have followed with absolute regret, the escalating political tension in the State. We are aware that points of disagreement exist within the two major political parties in the State, with certain elements within both parties taking steps that can unsettle the peace of the State.
We note with regrets, the increasing exchange of invectives which may soon degenerate into physical violence, especially as we approach the primary elections of the two major political parties. We want to state unequivocally, that leadership is not a do or die affair and the game of politics must therefore be played in a manner that puts the peace and tranquility of the State first before any other considerations.
If the contest is about service to people, then all aspirants must only sell themselves and programmes to the people, not attempt to blackmail, coerce or intimidate anyone. We call on all political actors in the State to make peace their priority.”
As if we were Seers, events of Monday, 14th February 2022, confirm the fears we had earlier about the destructive posture of many actors within Osun State’s Political space.
We monitored with worries for the immediate future of the State, how gunshots rented the air in some areas of Osogbo as the former Governor of the State and present Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, went around the State Capital in a motorcade. Residents of the peaceful town were made to scamper for safety, in a town that had been known for relative peace.
Claims and counterclaims have emerged after this unfortunate event. One narrative claims that the sporadic gunshots heard around Osogbo came from security agents attached to the convoy of Ogbeni Aregbesola, who were only repelling an attack from arm-bearing miscreants who earlier attacked the Minister’s convoy. Another narrative claims that there was no aggression towards the Minister’s convoy, as the security agents attached to him got into a needless show of force, unprovoked.
Monday’s unfortunate incident is not the first in the list of unfortunate events that has happened in Osun recently, particularly the State Capital, Osogbo. Very recently, unidentified armed men descended on the Oranmiyan House around Gbodofon Area of Osogbo. The building had been the meeting point of The Osun Progressives (TOP) faction of the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the shooters who attacked the Oranmiyan House are yet to be identified, the State Government had earlier issued a marching order to security operatives in the State to urgently unmask the persons behind the unprovoked attack. Members of TOP have claimed the attack was masterminded by certain persons within the Government of Alh. Gboyega Oyetola. Counterclaims have also been made by the Governor’s men, stating that the incident was staged by the leaders of TOP themselves to deceptively gain the sympathy of the State’s people.
We are bemused that for want of political power, persons in whose care the welfare of the society is placed, are acting in manners unbecoming of leaders who want peace for the society that they lead. We are angered, that for the purpose of settling political scores and claiming supremacy, supposed leaders are putting the lives of the people at risk.
It must be particularly stated that the Honourable Minister of Interior and former Governor of the State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, must desist from acts that make it appear to the public as if he is utilizing the paraphernalia of government to oppress defenceless citizens. He must be seen to be acting in ways that accord respect to the office he presently holds and to the office of the Governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the State. He must understand, that as there cannot be two Captains on a single ship, he cannot be seen forcefully asserting himself as a Captain in the State when he has long exhausted his time in office as Governor.
Ogbeni Aregbesola must also understand that as he enjoyed a crisis-free tenure of office, unencumbered by undue interference from his predecessors, he must not unduly interfere with the business of Governance in Osun under his successor. He must accord the present Governor, the same respect he was accorded by the two civilian Governors before him, who did not at any point attempt to undermine his office. There can only be a Governor per 4-year period.
It must also be stated, that at a time such as this, Governor Gboyega Oyetola must show decisive capacity in ensuring the security of lives and properties of the State’s people. One of the ways to show capacity is to ensure that every actor in his government, including himself, are not found to be fomenting trouble for any reason, political or personal. One other way to show capacity, is for the Governor to ensure that anybody, no matter how highly or lowly placed, who unsettles the peace of the State, are made to answer to their irresponsibility. As the State’s Chief Security Officer, the people expect that he will bring to book, anyone found putting their lives and properties in danger, even if that includes any of his close associates, or even his former boss.
We are convinced that if the present tide of events is not stemmed, the upcoming Gubernatorial Primaries of the APC in the State may become a theatre of war. We are also convinced that one crisis left unchecked, will snowball into several other crisis that may turn Osun to a crisis-ridden State before, during or after the Governorship election in July.
We use the opportunity to also call on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to as a matter of public importance, manage its internal rancour as effectively as is required to ensure that it does not become a threat to the life of the State’s citizens.
Our belief in sustainable democracy is such that the people must give power only to those they deem fit, according to stated plans, programmes and proven capacity. All persons interested in the State’s top job must therefore pitch their ideas to the people, instead of attempting to attain power in an insurrection-like manner.
God bless Osun.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Dr. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli
