THE celebration of 100 days in office has become nearly a perfunctory exercise in the Nigerian political system and people have perceived it differently. Some hold that it is worth celebrating, to show how prepared the new man at the helms of affairs is for governance and possibly to signpost how farther he can go with whatever achievements he is able to record in his first 100 days. Others are of the view that 100 days is not worth the candle because the days involved are too short to really assess performance. For us, both perspectives could be right, if we all see them in the context of understanding what should be celebrated within 100 days in office. If we all agree on what should be celebrated within the timeframe in office, then we are good to go. Is it commissioning of projects that he initiated and completed? Is it to employ people into the civil service? Is it to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities? Furthermore, is it to approve funds for projects and programmes or we expect to see his concrete plans on how he intends to implement his policies and programmes within 100 days?
Our expectations on employment, funding, appointment, projects and programmes and so forth cannot be conceivably implemented without a concrete and realistic plan. In Oyo State, the last administration deliberately added some booby-traps to the challenges of governance. In the twilight of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s eight-year administration, he conducted a controversial local government election, awarded bogus contracts with whopping sums of money and recommended N30,000 minimum wage that he never dreamt of paying before leaving office. He also curiously promoted civil servants, reinstated some civil servants that he sacked in the years past and approved the largesse of newly bought SUV’s as severance package for loyalists. All these were mere pitfalls cleverly set for GSM which he has been addressing with stoic patience.
Moreover, one is easily reminded of the general saying that governance is a continuum. As such, come rain or shine, Governor Seyi Makinde must continue to find novel ways of fulfilling his promises to the good people of Oyo State. For any government, it is beyond debate that commisioners’ contributions, funding and legislative support are important. These three key areas are cardinal for any government to function effectively.
With regard to the appointment of commissioners and other political office holders, he has demonstrably applied the all-inclusive approach he promised, making sure that all those that contributed to his electoral success are carried along, such that each local government area can boast of a representative in his cabinet. Secondly, on funding, he has discerned that the bloated document he inherited from the last administration was too ambitious and highly unrealistic to implement. There was no deliberate plan, intention and effort by Governor Ajimobi to raise money for such white elephants. Therefore, it became expedient for GSM to review the budget to reflect his own implementable programmes for the state. As a matter of fact, he has just borrowed N10 billion to keep government going. Lastly, on legislative approval, GSM has also ensured that every decision he takes is firmly backed up with the support of the House of Assembly: the legislative approval for the creation of the three new ministries; budgetary review; the recent N10 billion loan; creation of Oyo State Financial Crimes Commission: the suspension of local government chairmen and so on were all done in accordance with the law.
Aside the political functions of the governor within the 100-day time frame, it must also be acknowledged the prudent wisdom of GSM exhibited in managing the chieftaincy feud between His Royal Majesty, the Olubadan and his high chiefs. It takes a visionary man with great leadership skills, integrity and humility to manage the crisis that almost divided families and relations in Ibadanland. He came into office and silently resolved the power tussle between the traditional leaders. This achievement will be etched in gold in Ibadan history. It took one governor to stoke the embers of discord: now it has taken another peace-loving Chief Executive to quell the strife. GSM saw the need to protect our age-old tradition by urging the beaded crown obas back to the palace as high chiefs of the Olubadan-in Council. By and Large, Makinde’s first 100 days in office can only be appreciated by those who truly understand the mechanics of governance. Worthy commissioners and few special advisers have been appointed, security issues are being addressed on all fronts and quality education has been put on the front burner where it truly belongs in the interest of our youths. It is fervently hoped the next 100 days of GSM in office would give impetus to all local government areas to become active, beyond our wildest dreams. Only then will his government with a human face have reached all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State. For Governor Makinde, it is development in progress.
- Kehinde writes in via [email protected]
and then