Of Aregbesola’s successor and Lagos syndrome

OSUN State has been in existence for over 25 years. Until recently, the state had always been far behind in the comity of states in the country. In recent years, it has risen like a phoenix and now shines brightly in the midst of the states in Nigeria, especially in the area of massive infrastructure development and social protection scheme. But despite the work of the current administration in transforming the state, some self-centered citizens have chosen to brand the administration with demeaning and divisive names.

In their words, Rauf Aregbesola’s administration is for aliens and foreigners. They claim that the administration is driven by people who do not have their place in the state. They call them “Lagos” people and say they are not homegrown. One wonders where these set of people get their mindset. For decades since Nigeria’s independence, citizens of hinterland states have always strived to go to Lagos to make a livelihood. People all over Nigeria go to Lagos to develop their business acumen and economic relevance. Is it now an error for Osun citizens to have lived and worked in Lagos? Are the indigenes of Osun not widespread in every state of Nigeria, delivering value and impacting the economy?

Yet, resident indigenes crave rapid development and transformation of the state. But how can we achieve such rapid development and transformation if elected leaders do not have the right exposure? Or do we say that all the exposure required for leadership roles can be found within the confines of Osogbo, Ilesha, Ikirun,  Iwo and other towns in Osun? Clearly, the answers is NO !

Let me paint a clear picture for these divisive elements; maybe now they will get it. If your child studied petroleum engineering, please name one company in Osun where he or she can ply his or her trade and develop a well-rounded career. Wouldn’t we send that person to Lagos or Port Harcourt, get engaged with a petrochemical firm and develop a rewarding career? Then after years of quality training, exposure, career development and established network of qualified professionals, do we then disqualify such child from holding leadership positions for living in Lagos or Port Harcourt?

Osun has had four elected governors to date and all four lived outside Osun before becoming governors. In 1992, former Governor Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke returned from USA to become governor in Osun. Chief Bisi Akande lived in Lagos before joining Bola Ige’s administration of Old Oyo State. He returned in 1999 to govern Osun. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was a former military administrator in Lagos State. He returned from Lagos to be elected as governor in Osun in 2003. Aregbesola also served as commissioner for works in Lagos State before his election as the governor of Osun.

No one called the first three governors aliens or visitors. Then one wonders why certain elements have decided to divide the state by surnaming Aregbesola’s administration as “Lagos” people. But these same elements have in time fed on the goodwill of the people they have now surnamed “Lagos” people. These “Lagos” people fed them, clothed them and sheltered them. These elements did not see anything wrong in taking personal benefits from “Lagos” people. But have decided to create political division for their personal aggrandizement. The current economic realities has made it clear that governing a state needs more than being a resident indigene. It requires a collective eort of people with solid experience, technicality and wide exposures.

With the fall in oil revenue, Osun needs to find itself an intelligent and astute administrator to replace Aregbesola. The criteria for selecting the next governor must not be sacrificed on the altar of residency laced with ethnic and religious sentiments. If no one will dare call the HRM Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, who returned from Lagos to be crowned, a “Lagos” person or criticise Oba Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo for living outside the country before he was enthroned, then we must not allow a few divisive elements to muddle the tranquility of Osun polity.

• Akinlabi writes in from Iwo , Osun State