COVID-19:  We have been resourceful in our approach —Ayorinde

Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the Special Counsel to the Governor of Oyo State was the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2019 election and Pro-Chancellor, Chairman Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho between 2007-2011.  In this interview by YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE, he speaks on issues in  Oyo State and Governor Makinde’s style of leadership among other issues.

 

In retrospect, what will you say about the coalition of political parties that adopted Engineer Seyi Makinde, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State during the 2019 election? 

The coalition was a fantastic political maneuver. It was necessary to break the stranglehold of the ruling party in the state. Everyone realised this and Senator Rashidi Ladoja was available to bring everyone together. There were other elder statesmen like Alhaji Yekini Adeojo and Baba Koleoso who worked behind the scene. I was like the Chief Operating Officer and would follow up on days and nights of meetings with all involved especially Senator Ladoja. It was successful. The governor already had momentum but the coalition was the final push.

 

There seems to be confusion in the political circles in Oyo State as Senator Rashidi Ladoja’s Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), which was part of the coalition, pulled out of the accord. Why have you not left?

I respect their decision. The decision to participate in the coalition was made individually and voluntarily. The decision to opt-out is also individual and voluntary. I have not left the coalition because I have seen no reason for me to do so. There can only be one governor at a time. My expectation of the governor is that he runs a purposeful and open administration in the state. I have no cause to believe otherwise. He is quite deliberate and calculating in his approach and listens to wise counsel. I have no reason not to support his administration and work with him even in an honorary capacity as his Special Counsel.

 

You said the governor is deliberate and calculating in his approach, what do you mean by this?

Take the Covid-19 Pandemic as an example. The government in Oyo State strictly followed the science. There was no unnecessary lockdown. The approach was balanced and based on the advice of the medical team. The governor directly leads the Covid-19 Response Team in Oyo State and he has been acknowledged as providing effective leadership.

Secondly, despite the fact that the End SARS protests took place in Ibadan, there has been curtailed violence due to the direct engagement of the governor with the protesters and other stakeholders. The governor has therefore shown good leadership in those areas. Politicians will always clamour for patronage believing that once they are party members and participated in an election process successfully, then it is time for pay back. There should be a reset of minds.

If you successfully back a candidate, you owe it to yourself and the public as a leader to support the policies of the government so that that the public including yourself will benefit on the long run. There is also very detailed infrastructural intervention going on. This is related directly to the well-being of the residents of the state. The public servants are also greatly motivated as unlike in the past. They are now paid on time. Yes, they collect their salaries as at when due.

 

Some have accused Governor Makinde of refusing to honour the agreement and this has led to some animosity among core politicians. What is your take on this? 

I think the mentality is changing. Politics cannot be a profession. It is a hobby and at best, an undertaking. You are involved in the process so that the outcome can be beneficial to you and all. If you are part of the process that brings in a good administration, your benefit is in the performance of that government which improves your general well-being. The government cannot give political appointments to everybody. This is not to say that you might want a certain approach that is different from that of the governor but there can only be one governor at a time.

 

 As preparation for the 2023 general election picks up, are you interested in running for elective office? 

We should not be talking about 2023. Let us support our governor in Oyo State. Nigeria needs urgent intervention. The cracks are getting wider. The volcano is erupting. There must be restructuring and devolution of power to arrest the ongoing calls for decimation of the country.

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