Osun: Reminiscing The Reality- Waheed Adekunle 

Politics is actually a human venture to advance the cause of humanity while governance is a serious business for the intellectuals! 

Even in the animal kingdom, politics thrives. Being a good politician doesn’t qualify one to be a good administrator and of course, a successful manager of human and material resources. 

One may be loved by a gullible-cheerful crowd. One may thrive on sentiments. One may succeed in brainwashing the electorate, however, the static fact is that one cannot give what he or she doesn’t have.

As a matter of fact, history has a way of repeating itself. 

Here in Osun state, there was a government and there’s a government. A government of yesterday and a government of today, there was a governor of yesterday and there is a governor of today. 

There is a governor, who assumed power at a time when the economy of the state was in a coma. There was a governor that got to power at a time when Osun was practically ungovernable due to its economic status.

There was a government that rescued the state from the verge of insolvency. There was a government that managed the affairs of the state in four years without borrowing despite the palpable socioeconomic quagmire. 

There was a government that in spite the humongous debt profile of the state, workers (both active and passive) received full salaries and pensions without impediment. 

There was a government that took several opportunities in difficulties as manifested in the monumental-giant strides made across sectors even in the face of a fragile economy. 

There was a government that resisted temptation in all forms, particularly the threats posed by Coronavirus pandemic that ravaged the globe, the EndSARS organic protest capable of forcing it to renege on certain things like payment of minimum wage, but rather took maximum advantages therein to bring very desired transformations to the good people of Osun. 

There was a government that had several reasons not to deliver but rather performed credibly and creditably well even more than the expectations. 

There was a government that jerked-up the revenue profile of the state astronomically from N10billion to over N20billion.

There was a government that despite a protracted electoral litigation, commitment to good governance and dividends of democracy were top-notch.

There was a government that received encomiums, awards and several accolades locally and internationally for being outstanding, transparent, accountable, and indeed for setting the pace for others when it comes to raising the bar of good governance in the country. 

There was a governor that in spite of his concerted efforts to redefine the economy still left billions of naira in the coffers of the state for his successor while exiting office.

There was a governor, who cherished integrity rather than fame. There was a governor who promoted dignity in public sector. There was a governor, who was not only painstaking in decisions making, but highly meticulous, logical and rational in thinking and reasoning. 

There was a governor, who listened carefully and attentively to the yearnings of the people. There was a governor who didn’t fail in any of the promises made to the people.

There was a governor that walked his  talk no matter whose ox was gored. There was a governor that inspite the outcome of the last Gubernatorial election in the state, no sector of the economy suffered a setback till he left office. 

There was a governor that didn’t promise what he could not do throughout the period spent in office. There was a governor who fulfilled virtually all the promises made till his last day in office. There was a governor that refused to dance to the tune of sycophants.

There was a governor, who did everything to redeem the lost glory, stabilize the economy of the state, put Osun’s fortunes on firm footing, and of course, placed the state on the path of sustainable development, standard pedestal of socioeconomic and political growth and transformation. 

However,  there is a government that got to power at a time the economy of the state was not only stable but vibrant. 

There is a government that began on the path of vendetta. There is a government that is busy witch-hunting and man hunting perceived political enemies here and there.

There is a government that inherited over N14billion in the state’s coffers left by its immediate predecessor, but out of overzealous-political-acrimony echoed the little outstanding debts equally inherited from successive administrations. 

There is a governor that promised to offset backlog of workers’ salary/pension arrears in his first six months in office but till now fails to do so.

There is a government that inspite humongous amount of inheritances in cash and assets, vis-a-vis the accrued revenue in the last nine months, nothing justifiable could be shown for it. 

There is a government that has consistently promoted mediocrity at the expense of competence. There is a government that has shown clearly to the whole world that it lacks vision and relevant direction to take the state to  the Promised Land. 

There is a government that issued obnoxious orders and draconian policies without meaningful outputs. 

There is a government that overzealously sacked government employees in different sectors for no just cause. 

There is a government that humiliated and assaulted traditional rulers in order to score cheap political gains. 

There is a government that promised to issue black and white paper on many of its actions and that till now nothing of such in public domain.

There is  a government that set up countless review committees on myriad of spurious allegations without substantial and substantive reasonable outcomes for public consumption. 

There is a government that is not only myopic in decision making but nepotistic in selecting, appointing and electing hands to manage things. 

There is a government that failed to justify ‘why and how’ outrageous amount was used to execute failed borehole projects that adds nothing to the socioeconomic living of the people.

There is a government that failed to justify why nepotism, chauvinism and jingoism are basic tenets to run the affairs of the state. 

There is a governor that out of 100 percent of ongoing infrastructure projects over 70 percent is skewed to favour his immediate constituency and political godfathers. 

It is quite unfortunate that the state has been reduced to a cinema centre that serves as a standby scene for dramatic personae to perform. 

It is disappointing that good governance is not considered as a necessity but rather as an option.

It is regrettable that good governance is not at the sole-innermost heart of political and power players. 

It is pitiable that the state that was known for virtuous tendencies is now drifting to path of retrogressive voyage. 

History and posterity are best friends but contextually and semantically, they give different meanings. 

…only the deep calls to the deep…! –Mr. Waheed Adekunle writes from Osogbo, Osun state