Makinde’s interest in local government money: A revelation of time and comic of absurdity, by Ogunwoye Gbemiga

Many people pay more attention to the ability of time to heal the wound; but most people don’t give regard to another yet powerful ability of time, that is to expose the true color of humans. Time always creates situations that force humans to reveal their true nature, free from deceit and pretense.

If Buhari had not become the President, he could have lived and died as a saint; the President of Nigeria never had, but the fact that #EndBadGovernance protesters sieged his home in protest against hunger shows that he is already demystified, and his cluelessness is well revered by people that once adored him. That is power of time.

In spite of the fact that I was a fan of Makinde in his first tenure, his position during the 2023 election made me skeptical of his personality. It was obvious that his lackadaisical and self-centered approach made Oyo PDP lose the three Senate elections. Yet again, his utterance and position during this local government issue have reaffirmed my suspicions.

What’s important to understand from the last election is that Makinde and his G5 governors rebelled against Atiku in favor of Tinubu, not because Tinubu was good or because they had good intentions for Nigerians, but rather because Atiku couldn’t meet their selfish demands.

I am not aware of any governor who is more confrontational and agitational over LG Financial Autonomy than Seyi Makinde; he openly stated that Nigeria’s problem is not local government financial autonomy; what could be more problematic than having a moribund administration of the local areas?

As a researcher of local government in Nigeria, I understand the potency of effective local administration for development. In addition to my theoretical knowledge, my personal experience with local government, dating back to my first acquittal in politics in 2004, has further solidified my position; a cursory examination of local administration across the globe could provide further insights.

It is pathetically disturbing to know that Makinde has been paying the state worker’s salary with the money allocated to develop grassroots, which is also intended to make life easier and better for the people in rural areas. This is a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. The government workers, who are less than 5% of the population, dance on the grave of local government on the 25th of every month, while millions of people who are supposed to be beneficiaries of a functional local government have been rendered orphans.

The major point of entry for people in local and rural areas is through LG, but Makinde paralyzed this noble structure just to massage his overblown ego. His major achievement is that he doesn’t owe workers as he pays them every 25th of the month, not knowing we were auto-piloted through the uncommon treachery of a political Maradona.

We can accuse Late Governor Ajimobi of many wrongdoings, but nonetheless, I am bold to say categorically that local government administration was more active and functional under his tenure. The allocation to local government was substantial, and the Governor consistently monitored the LG Boss to implement some projects, particularly in road areas. Yes, from one village to another, I can count hundreds of people who were directly under the monthly payroll of my then local government chairman. That demonstrates how resource distribution trickles down to the people at the lowest level of our social strata

The situation has completely changed under Makinde’s leadership. Local government chairmen receive a meager amount of about N10 million out of more than N300 million allocated to some of the local government monthly. Where is the remaining fund? This has been going on for more than five years, and Mr. Governor needs to give an account to the public. Many local governments, most especially in the rural areas, including my Surulere Local Government, cannot boast of any tangible impact of the huge LG allocation for the past 5 years.

The Governor has reportedly instructed the Local Government Bosses (LG Bosses) in Oyo State to withdraw from ALGON, citing their reluctance to accept direct allocations. This move is absurd, given that the LG Bosses often fail to consider the potential consequences of their actions. The Governor’s benevolence may have enabled them to become chairmen, but they should understand that the position they hold and the allocation from FG belong to the people. Some of us wouldn’t mind dragging them to any length if they toyed with our common wealth. Governors have immunity and security until after their term, but LG Bosses do not.

Nonetheless, the recent scenario clearly exposes Makinde’s treacherous arrangement with local government resources, and his erratic behavior, akin to a cobra with a tampered tail, confirms his level of frustration. The situation and time have revealed Makinde’s real identity, and it is the patriotic duty of all state citizens to demand accountability.

The same voracious greed and manipulations have caused Makinde to fall out of favor with Tinubu in less than a year in office, or how many PDP stalwarts have made it to the Federal Appointment as initially anticipated in many quarters? Jolly is no longer a good friend, and anyone anointed by Makinde as successor would definitely have a tough battle to fight within and outside the PDP. Nonetheless, Mr. Governor should know that his time of usurping local government money is gone! Bye-bye to Jatijati. Omituntun tidaru, Omititan Leyin Eja.

Ogunwoye Samson Gbemiga,
Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso. He writes from the United Kingdom.
[email protected]