A public affairs commentator, Adejare Ibrahim, has criticized Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over what he described as a lack of urgency and collaboration in handling the recent kidnapping incident involving residents of Ogbomoso.
According to Ibrahim, a high-powered presidential delegation comprising the Chief of Staff to the President, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Inspector General of Police, and other representatives of the Federal Government visited Ogbomoso to commiserate with the affected families and assure them of ongoing efforts to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
However, he expressed disappointment that Governor Makinde was not personally present to receive or engage with the delegation.
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«”Unfortunately, Governor Seyi Makinde refused to collaborate with the presidential delegation. All the Governor could do was send his Commissioner of Education to meet them,” Ibrahim stated.»
Furthermore, he argued that the governor’s response to the crisis reflected what he termed a leadership gap.
«”Dear Governor Seyi Makinde, look, no one hates you. As citizens of the state, we owe you the sacred duty of telling you the truth so that you may adjust and stop being egoistic,” he said.»
Ibrahim also questioned the governor’s timing in visiting the families of the victims, noting that the visit came more than two weeks after the incident.
According to him, the distance between Ibadan and Ogbomoso is relatively short and should not have delayed a personal visit by the governor.
«”It took you more than two weeks before you deemed it fit to pay a condolence visit to the families of the victims. What is the distance between Ibadan and Ogbomoso? It is less than 100 kilometres,” he remarked.»
In addition, he suggested that the governor’s eventual visit may have been influenced by information regarding the planned visit of the presidential delegation.
«”If you had not got the information about the visit of the presidential delegation, would you have hurriedly paid those traumatised families a visit? Mr Governor, this is wrong. Think about it,” he added.»
While acknowledging that the governor may be receiving positive feedback from some associates, Ibrahim insisted that constructive criticism remains necessary for effective governance.
«”Those around you may keep deceiving you that you’re doing the right thing; however, we who are sincere with you will keep pointing out your inadequacies without fear. We need nothing from you except good governance for the people of Oyo State.”»
He further urged Governor Makinde to strengthen cooperation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in addressing security and developmental challenges facing the state.
«”Mr Governor, kindly collaborate with the President. Let him know our deficiencies in the state. Ego and arrogance will lead you nowhere. Your actions and inactions will only bring more setbacks and hardship to innocent citizens of Oyo State.”»
Ibrahim concluded by offering prayers for peace and progress in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
«”God bless Oyo State. God bless Nigeria.”
— Adejare Ibrahim»
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