Makinde: A testimony from the streets

AS a writer, I have never looked at faces. Here’s the story which prompted this piece: on November 29 this year I was at Isebo, Ibadan—the first time I have been to that part of Ibadan—attending the burial of a neighbour whose final resting place was her United States-based son’s home in Isebo.  I left the reception early and hopped on a motorbike for the small journey from Isebo to Alakia junction, together with the man whose testimony about Seyi Makinde I am about to relate. “Seyi is the one we voted for in this state. Everyone knows that. Nobody can remove Seyi from office,” the man said, addressing this writer and the okada rider. Next he declared: “I am eating from his government.” On hearing that, my first thought was: “Maybe this man is a political appointee.” But his next sentence, the one that provoked this piece, shattered any such illusions: “I am eating from Seyi via my children whose school fees he has cancelled. I know how much I was paying in the past.”

That, my friends, is the point about the man who now inhabits the Agodi Government House: this is a people’s government. Next, let’s take a trip into a personal story. Nearly a decade ago. Venue was the Olowotinfowosanu Shopping Complex close to Iwo Road, Ibadan. The occasion was a Man O’ War after-training reception. The  guest of honour was—you guessed right—Seyi Makinde. I had joined up in Lagos in 1993, but was no longer active, yet the Oyo State command of the organisation had received me with warmth when our paths crossed. Long and short: Makinde was being honoured because he had sponsored over 100 of the boys on the training at the Sea School, Lagos, and had donated a pick-up van to the command. If he happens to read this, he would surely remember what I told him that day: “You may not know what you have done, but this is phenomenal.” Now, if you do not know what the Sea School–Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre—is all about, let’s just say that it is a Man O’ War school that also trains personnel of the Armed Forces. Training at the school, as we say in Nigerian parlance, is not moimoin. I do not remember what that year’s training cost per participant, but the man who now is making waves across the country had paid for the training of over 100 Man O’ War personnel.

A few days later, he was at the Oyo State NUJ Christmas carol and greeted this writer warmly when the writer arrived at the venue where, I assumed, he was again special guest of honour.  Beyond these two incidents, I have no recollection of any meeting with the Oyo State helmsman, but these incidents should suffice in making the point that I aim to make: the Oyo State governor has touched lives, in ways that many people wealthy people will never do, and in ways that those who lack sense will think do not matter.  When he lost election in, I think, 2011, I was surprised that in December of the same year, he still extended some Christmas goodwill to the downtrodden. Something in me felt that the guy was genuine. He was my choice at the polling booth this year, and the clear choice of the Oyo electorate. Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in Plato’s cave. I’m sure there are so many stories—far more inspiring stories, of Seyi’s kind gestures—and it won’t be out of place to tell them. So, over to you, then.

In Oyo State, almost everyone refers to the governor as Seyi: he isvery close to the people. His election was a clear testimony to the impact he had made on many lives prior to becoming governor, and I do not know anyone on this planet who can get away with truncating the people’s clearly expressed will. As I have often said during private conversations, this is one voting I do not regret. I am not benefiting from Seyi in the sense of the man whose story served as our starting point, but I am thrilled by the sense of responsibility he has demonstrated in the few days he has been in the saddle.  In a clime where assets declaration is often no more than a mere smokescreen for anticipatory stealing, Makinde captured the national imagination when he declared his assets in real terms, and to the letter. Nice stuff. He’s followed up with the establishment of the Oyo State anti-graft agency. The people feel that they own this government. That’s how it should be.

Now, to the government at the centre. It seems to me that some elements in Abuja think that they have the entire country in their palms: they have captured the judiciary, the legislature, the media, etc, and that they can do what they like. But may I say this: not everybody has a price. There will always be one or two persons somewhere who will never bow to the rustle of currency notes, or the allure of temporal power. A warning is therefore in order, provided that these morons have ears: no one can capture history. Let the power-drunk remember the power-drowned. Tomorrow is always the judge of today. I have, as an Oyo State resident, found Seyi Makinde very sincere and very genuine, and it is my sincere prayer that he stays on the path of right, and gets better, as he navigates the affairs of Oyo State until 2023 and beyond.

• Dr .Awolaja is on the staff of Nigerian Tribune.