Deconstructing Idowu Osatuyi's Misdirected Diatribes Against Oyebanji.

Deconstructing Idowu Osatuyi's Misdirected Diatribes Against Oyebanji.

By Dr. Raphael Babalola

I have read with utmost amusement and grave disappointment, the tantrums threw at Governor Biodun Oyebanji by one Idowu Osatuyi. 

In his ridiculous journey to discredit the governor, he rigmaroled and maneuvred to spew all manners of lies and spurious accusations to deride the government. In fact, in this journey to perdition, he painted a lugubrious picture of underperformance by the current administration, raising litany of spurious allegations to justify his stoutly ludicrous claims.

UNFOUNDED SUFFERING AND SMILING THEORY:

In many of his ridiculous claims, this writer posited that Ekiti people have been suffering and smiling, thereby making the citizens to  grumble underneath against Oyebanji's government. He said only a few members of the political appointees are in joyous mood, with others under the heavy burden of economic crisis. Let it be clarified that Ekiti people have never been at home with any government like that of BAO since the advent of democracy in 1999. This accounted for the electrifying popularity the governor savours among the people. Wherever the governor goes, the chanting of BAO always rented the air, signposting his wide acceptability. Ekiti people are not fools. If they have any ill- feeling or misgiving against the government, they will overtly express it through their actions. The positive responses he is getting from the people further amplified the open lies being told by this misguided and uncouth writer.

WORKERS' CHRISTMAS BONUS:

It is a verifiable fact that the best Christmas ever celebrated by Ekiti workers was that of 2024. This was the time the Governor strategically began the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage that uplifted the monthly take home of each worker by almost 100%. Rather than offering tokenism in the name of Christmas bonus, the governor decided to pay a level one officer earning a sum of N30,000 a sum of N70,000. By simple arithmetic, this was an increase of N40,000. If the policy adopted by government was to offer mere Christmas bonus, the highest this officer would have got was between N5,000 and N7,000. Which one was more beneficial between the two alternatives? The public should judge.

POOR STANDARD OF LIVING:

Series of statistics being released by public and non governmental organisations negated the assertion made by the writer that Ekiti people are wallowing in abject poverty. Looking at every economic indices, Ekiti remains one of the states with low prices of food commodities in Nigeria. This was due to the fact that the government has introduced several measures, including the Youth in commercial agriculture to ramp up food production. Over 20,000 jobs have been created at both formal and informal sectors. Little wonder, the state has the highest Life expectancy in Nigeria. The health centres are being equipped with facilities and personnel . Little wonder, the state has the highest Life expectancy in Nigeria and one of the least mortality rate. 

TINUBU'S VISIT TO ENUGU:

It was a fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the southeast state of Enugu to commission projects. This was a fact. But, was the writer in a trance or deep slumber when the Vice President, Kashim Shettima visited Ekiti last year to hold the MSME clinic, and commission the ultra modern Vocational centre and the Omisanjana-Deeper Life Camp-Ajebamidele road. The VP was in Ekiti to represent his boss who was busy with state matters at that time. And today, the government has several road projects, flyover, Ekiti State smart schools, Ekiti cargo airport and many other monuments that are almost on the verge of commissioning. So, this assertion does not in any way diminish the towering achievements of our Frontline governor .

GOVERNOR'S DAUGHTER'S MARRIAGE:

This matter had generated so much fuss in the polity. It was rather sad and disheartening that people could mischievously make a matter that was private to become a matter of state policy. In a desperate attempt to blight the governor's integrity, the writer also raised the fact that holding the governor's daughter's wedding in Ibadan was a disservice to Ekiti State. Let it be known that issue of marriage is not one that the Governor could decide unilaterally. It revolves around the couple, the governor and the groom's family. If it was a general consensus that since the trio are based in Ibadan and such ceremony should be held in Oyo State, so be it. The writer also glossed over the spiritual connotation of a wedding from his discourse. Marriage is an institution of God, so consulting God matters a lot to give a guide. What of the choice of venue and other decisions were divinely directed? This is also a possibility and I have seen so many Ekiti indigenes who married from other States, but held their marriages in Ado Ekiti where they have network of friends, or for logistics reasons and heaven didn't fall. What is this hubris surrounding the marriage ceremony about? Mere sulking of the adversaries just because the governor remains a man of the people and he is topnotch in this game.

AIRPORT:

It was true that Governor Oyebanji inherited the airport project, from the immediate past administration. Today, due to Governor Oyebanji’s  consistent entreaties with federal government agencies, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria have given the agro Allied Airport the license to operate non scheduled flight for a period of six months, while awaiting the final nod for the commencement of scheduled flights. 

Just a few days ago, the National Airspace Management Agency ( NAMA) carried out the calibration of landing equipment that will facilitate the take off of the facility full fledged. 

Let the writer tell the world the sin the governor committed  for not abandoning the multibillion naira project. Has he failed in any way to take actions that could fasttrack the usage of the facility? In a matter of days, full operation not by happenstance, but due to putting in place necessary facilities and collaborating with federal agencies and Ekiti will savour the benefit of an international airport and liars and skeptics like Idowu Osatuyi will be put to shame. 

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION:

When it comes to operation of the traditional institution, Ekiti has become a model under Governor Oyebanji. This starts with the huge respect being accorded the traditional rulers and the traditional institution. Today in Ekiti, government no longer pokes its nose into the selection of Obas, it is the statutory work of the kingmakers. They do this without their hands being fettered. When it comes to welfare of traditional rulers, Governor Oyebanji has not done badly. It is a first line charge on the priority lists. He gleefully approves whatever that was due to them with joy and despatch. This accounted for the acceptability the governor commands among the traditional rulers. Don't forget that our traditional rulers are one of the most educated in Nigeria. They can't be cowed by any governor. If Oyebanji has defaulted in any way , they would have raised eyebrows. They have no reason to do this because the governor is doing fine. Again, it is now an offence for any local government to delay monthly payments to all palaces and chiefs. People should stop being cynical about government. The partnership  between Oyebanji and the monarchs is mutually beneficial. It is not a case of suffering and smiling as painted by this hired writer who was out to do a shady job.

Take it or leave it, BAO is working and Ekiti is making steady progress under the Omoluabi Governor.