After elections, the general norm for exiting regime is to inaugurate a transition committee saddled With the responsibility of ensuring a seamless transition to the next administration, in which any responsible or responsive government will not waste time in effecting. Less than two months to the expiration of the current controversial administration in Ogun State, the government led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun is yet to inaugurate its transition committee, as we are witnessing in many states of the federation, where new governors are expected to take the mantle of office on May 29, 2019.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after declaring Prince Dapo Abiodun as the clear winner of the gubernatorial election held in the State on the 9th of March, 2019, went ahead to present him a Certificate of Return on March 28, 2019 and will be sworn-in on May 29, 2019. If by now, Governor Ibikunle Amosun is yet to bring on board, the transition committee, then, observers are justified to ask when this will be done. In fact, the recent desperation on the part of the incumbent, makes the question more pertinent.

To take our State to the next level through qualitative governance and a high level of prosperity, equity, fairness and justice for all, there is an urgent need to give the next administration a smooth take-off and it is imperative to quickly put in place a transition committee whose major responsibility is to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration.

Could it be that His Excellency, the incubent Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, may be hiding something questionable or afraid to respect tradition neccessasary for his handing over? Or he is yet to come to terms with the reality and inevitability of handing over to someone he cheekily called a rookie, “who could not even win a senatorial election, let alone a governorship election”?

Few days ago, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State inaugurated a transition committee and charged members to ensure a smooth hand-over to the newly elected governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu. The governor of Borno State, on his own part, has warned contractors in the state not to extend or expect any payment beyond May 29, 2019. His reason was that he does not want to tie the hands of his successor. However, in Ogun State, the reverse is the case. Mr. Ibikunle Amosun is busy making appointments, promotions and secrete recruitment of his cronies into the civil service’s top positions. few days ago he announced a Governing Council and Vice Chancellor for a University that was yet to admit students. He followed later with the appointment of about 18 permanent secretaries and two General Managers to the State-owned media organizations.

The Governor is reportedly busy selling lands and awarding phones contracts, while exerting pressure on financial institutions to grant last-minutes loans and overdrafts. Many property owners who felt threatened by primitive acquisition of the departing governor have taken newspaper adverts to warn about buyers who may want to buy lands already sold to them by the Governor. They alleged the governor wanted to forcefully take over their lands, for which they already paid hundreds of millions of naira into the state covers, and resell to unsuspecting members of the public.

The big question is: When will Amosun inaugurate his Transition Committee? With his failed third term bid through a proxy, whether Mr. Amosun likes it or not, whether he is sponsoring a wushu-washy petitions at the Ogun Elections Petition Tribunal against a party he claimed to belong to or not; he will finally and unavoidably hand over power to Prince Dapo Abiodun on May 29, 2019 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta. Nothing is permanent, not even the permanent secretaries. The world itself is temporary. The only thing permanent in this world is change. On May 29, 2019, the government will change hands and the people’s choice, the victorious Prince Dapo Abiodun, will mount the rostrum to take over as he has been destined.

Ola Muritala, a journalist and social commentator, from Owode Egba, Ogun State.

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Nevertheless, we have had in the past, good Governors with good govenance such as Chief Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel etc. These Governors gave our Local Councils powers to execute projects. Example is the construction of Owode City Hall in Obafemi Owode LG, built by Engr, Babatunde Adesina led administration under OGD and up till today, the City Hall remains the only tangible means of Internal generated revenue (IGR) for that Local Government excluding the unnecessary camoflagging LCDAs created by Mr Philadelphia. Another good example is the shoping complex located at Isale Owode also in Obafemi Owode LG, during the time of Engr Adekunle Oni under the governorship of Chief Olusegun Osoba.

It is a pity that Governor Amosun is the type who doesn’t want others to grow, popular and be known for records except him alone. He has taken over the functions of the Local Government and thus, rendered Local Government useless. Local Government is the clossiest government to the people and must be well funded. You cannot claim to be building model schools that are of no use, constructing roads and bridges for personal profit making at the expense of the people and expect great celebration from the same people. Any Governor who punishes Local Government like the current one in Ogun State, is anti-people’s Governor. Such can be rightful said to be wicked, greedy and inhumane.

I have never in my life seen where a Governor asks his Local Government Chairmen to stand at the back of the door during a meeting as punishment, I have only seen Mr Amosun did. What a power intoxication! (Odun egungun ma to tan, omo alaagba yio pada rakara jeko). Well, His Excellency, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has done his bit and we appreciate him. Although, he is leaving our Local Councils in a state of coma, yet, we appreciate him for the bridges, and the built model schools.

At this point, we need to focus on the next administration. We have no power to dictate what the next administration will do but together, we can advise. Therefore, unbehalf of all well meaning sons and daughters of Ogun State home and abroad, I congratulate once again, the Ogun Governor-Elect, Prince Adedapo Abiodun MFR and humbly advise that his administration as promised, should return power back to our Local Councils, strengthening them and allowing the third tier of goveenment function. (ni agbara Oluwa, emi sise sise ti n ko sinu eniyan, ti eniyan fi n ko ehin si oloore, ko ni de ba yin ni oruko Jesu). You will succeed in Jesus name.

Ola Muritala wrote from Abeokuta

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