A Word for Abiola Ajimobi

I thought Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State would spend his remaining 19 months working to pull the people of the state out of the poverty his six-year administration plunged them. The reverse has been the case, with this governor dipping into one charade or another. His latest jest is spending millions of Naira to enthrone several comical firstclass traditional rulers (Obas) in Ibadanland. This action, obviously aimed at humiliating the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has brought so much opprobrium on Ajimobi in particular and the state in general. The governor’s decision to snub the court case challenging the enthronement is sickening. It was nice seeing 12 of the Ibadan high Chiefs turning down the dubious gift. My dear Ajimobi, my plea to you today is to learn to rise above pettiness, end actions aimed at destroying the history and tradition of Ibadanland and focus on improving a state whose progress you single-handedly retarded.

At present, Oyo State is also in a mess over months of unpaid salaries to civil servants, who have been turned into beggars. Ajimobi is accused of squandering the bailout fund meant to clear outstanding salaries. The state’s NLC Chairman, Waheed Olojede said unpaid salaries had pauperised the workers, adding that their productivity, diligence and absolute commitment had also been affected. It is a shame that Ajimobi reneged on previous agreement on how to settle the salaries. Oyo State has no business being in a mess if well managed. But this has not been the case. Ajimobi is only interested in frivolities.