Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has described the emergence of Mr. Oluseyi Makinde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as governor-elect of Oyo State and his promise to sustain good policies of the former and outgoing administrations, as a new dawn in the pace-setter state.
The first-class monarch disclosed this in a statement, dated March 18, 2019, with reference number: APO.13/Vol. 67/83, entitled: “A New Dawn in Oyo State,” which he personally endorsed and made available to our correspondent in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Oba Adeyemi, who commended the outgoing governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for the spirit of sportsmanship he displayed in spite of the fact that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adelabu, whom he promoted, lost the March 9, 2019 poll to Makinde.
The Alaafin also lauded Makinde for promising that he would continue with good policies and programmes of the outgoing administration, saying such promise was unprecedented since the advent of democratic governance in 1999 in the state.
Oba Adeyemi, who is the permanent Chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, said: “The governorship election in Oyo State might have come and gone. However, the aftermath of it is of special interest and personal joy to me.
“This has to do with the spirit of sportsmanship that followed the election. This is especially in respect of the outgoing governor in the person of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and the incoming one, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde.
“The exchange of pleasantries between the two affable gentlemen is of special note and attention to all discerning minds. I am particularly delighted by the promise of the governor-elect not to abandon the projects already embarked upon by the outgoing government.
“One lesson to learn from promise is that this is the first time in the governance of the state. The difference, however, is that continuity in governance may not be in partisan personnel, but in the implementation of good projects started by a government of another political party.
“One significant and remarkable thing about the institution of Alaafin before, during colonial rule and, the attainment of the indigenous political regime since independence is that successive Alaafins have always used their good offices to complement successive administrations at all tiers of government. The Alaafin had always seen himself as a partner in progress to successive governments.
“On a final note, I am happy to note that unlike what used to be in the era of political antagonism, the incoming governor is not going to see the governor’s chair as one vacated by a political enemy, but as one occupied by a fraternal brother, irrespective of political differences, with the usual attendant vendetta.”