by Akinwusi Dotun Thomas
Aregbesola was painted as the best gift to the Yoruba land after the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo during the last Osun State gubernatorial election. It appears the governor thrives on propaganda, lies and empty promises because there is nothing to show for it. Amidst the financial crisis and inability to pay workers salaries which the state is facing under his leadership, the governor took to the media outlets, promising to pay the civil servants on or before June 30th, promise he subsequently failed in fulfilling.
Another promise was made to pay two (2) months salaries of these workers which later turned out to be a lie or attempt to deceive the visibly frustrated workers, Also to discredit the actions of civil servants from the locals. If we can’t trust Osun State government with simple promise and information, how then do we trust him with our resources?
Well, a government that thrives on propaganda can only survive on such for a short period of time, the truth is catching up with the lies and Osun State citizens are beginning to demand answers and truth from Ogbeni Aregbesola led administration.
The economy of the state is stagnant, investors are not attracted to invest in the state due to non viable financial decisions taken under his watch, the educational sector is in need of urgent rescue due to poor policy embarked upon by his administration, the judiciary system is out of place, pensioners are dying due to illness and hunger as a result of financial recklessness of our governor. Yet, the governor could play on the feelings of expectants workers and pensioners by making an empty promise. Isn’t that wickedness?
I hereby join well-meaning stakeholders in the state to demand full forensic audit of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) urgently.
It is a pity that the state All Progressive Party (APC) used Ogbeni Aregbesola as a template of their proposed change to Nigerians. The same template is now facing hardship, financial crisis, and poor educational structure among others, because it cannot stand the test of time. Do we continue to seek for Federal Government bailout before the state can meet her financial needs?
The education policy implemented by this administration needs urgent review; the health sector lack needed equipment and medical staff on strike, yet no visible infrastructural developmental projects that justify Osun State’s debt profile. Aregbesola’s attitude towards Osun State workers shouldn’t surprise the good people of the state; we suffered such ill-fate under the leadership of Bisi Akande. Should we anticipate for the change they promised us? Or we should keep enduring till 2018 and speak massively with our voters card? Time will tell.
It is high time we started holding Ogbeni Aregbesola accountable for his promises, worse financial decisions and failed policies. He needs to take full responsibility of his actions. The opposition party (PDP) has a major role to play in keeping this administration on its toes to ensure it delivers dividends of democracy to the good people of the state. Osun state needs PDP more than before to play its role as an opposition not when election is around the corner. Do we all fold our hands and watch him turn this state to a failed state? No, we need to play our role as an active citizen and the main opposition party needs to find its voice. We’re all stakeholders in Osun State; the success and failure of this state affects us all.
The PDP Osun State chapter should play an active role as opposition party in the state as the high level of impunity and propaganda of this administration is detrimental to the development and progress of this state. A state that was once economically buoyant with infrastructural development, un-delayed workers salaries, various youth empowerment programs under past PDP led administration. It’s time for the party to engage people at the grassroots, allow youth involvement and control public perception about the party ideologies. The state needs an urgent rescue.
Akinwusi Dotun Thomas is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and resides in Osogbo, Osun State.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
