Protocols,
WE SHALL OVERCOME
It gives me great pleasure to declare open the Sixth State Assembly of Osun. Exactly four years ago, I had the privilege of inaugurating the Fifth Assembly. It has pleased God Almighty to entrust into my hand for the second time this sacred duty and I give Him all the praise.
I congratulate all the honourable members of this house for your election and the unique privilege to be of service to your people and the State of Osun.
But I must first thank the Speaker of the Fifth Assembly, Rt. Hon Najeem Salaam, the leadership and other distinguished and honourable members of the house for their understanding, diligence, cooperation and unalloyed service to their people and the state.
Before I proceed further, please permit me, as is my custom, to sing the first stanza of my old school anthem titled ‘Moment of Decision’ written by J Russel Lowell (1819-91).
 
Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side:
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight:
And the choice goes by for ever
‘Twixt that darkness and that light.
 
Your inauguration came at a very critical period in the annals of our state. This is a paradox of a sort. The General Elections of late March and early April were a revolution as they, for the first time, saw a genuinely progressive government sweep through the country in most states and the Federal Government. This is a thing of great joy to us, but it also met our state in the condition of a very gripping financial challenge.
Here again, I must salute and thank our people for their unshakable faith in us and for giving us absolute majority in this house. Your election (and inauguration today) is a resounding vote of confidence in us that we will surmount our challenges and overcome our problems. You cannot disappoint them.
History will vindicate us. When our administration was inaugurated over four years ago, we met many daunting challenges, including a debt burden and infrastructure decay. We set to work, especially with the cooperation of the Fifth Assembly, and began to restore hope for our people, make government meaningful and put the state on a sound and sure footing. You will recall that in less than 100 days, we engaged 20,000 youths in public works through Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES). Also, through financial engineering, we were able to restructure the debilitating loan we met and put the state on a sound financial traction. We then embarked on an aggressive infrastructure development drive never witnessed before in this state.
You will recall again, that for nearly a year, we did not constitute a cabinet. This was to enable us make considerable savings. We set about our duty with uncommon vigour and courage. This saw us touching every area of life in education, agriculture, job creation, road construction, culture and tourism, environmental sanitation and beautification, flood control, rural development and so on.
We were also able to execute the most ambitious and biggest social welfare programme in this country; programmes that impacted directly on every family and household in the state. We were able to integrate government’s spending into the local economy in a way that our spending reflates the economy – enhances productivity, creates jobs, sustains families and households and significantly boost the GDP of the state. These social welfare programmes also constitute a sizeable portion of our recurrent expenditure as we put in place O’YES, O’UNIFORM, O’MEALS, Agba Osun, Destitute Rehabilitation, O’REAP, O’HUB, Cattle Ranch, School Construction, Flood Control and so on. We have invested in our people’s development and have sown good seeds into their today and tomorrow.
In the process, we not only lived within our means, we also made huge savings in two and a half years. We fulfilled our financial obligations to not just to workers and retirees, but to every person doing business with us. When it was time to raise the level of capital projects in the state, we approached financial institutions and within the bounds of best practices, we secured facilities at favourable terms. We never exposed the government unnecessarily. This is contrary to the claims of scoffers and traducers who maliciously painted us as financially reckless and profligate.
From the records, problem began in 2012 when our expenditure increased as a result of the spike in minimum wage. This was when we applied the increase to junior workers only. Then, our total emoluments rose to N2.7 billion from the N1.4 billion I met in November 2010. By December of that year, it hit N3.5 billion. At the same period, our statutory allocation (from where we are required to pay salaries) increased marginally from N2.1 billion in 2010 to N2.5 billion in December 2012.
By July of 2013, our total emoluments hit N4 billion while our statutory allocation was N2.1 billion. By then we had extended the increase to other workers.
The summary of five years reveal that in the two months of 2010, we received a net allocation of N4.2 billion and paid a total emoluments of N3.6 billion. This left us with a net gain of N573 million from our statutory allocation. In 2011 also, we got N29.9 billion net statutory allocation and spent N25.8 billion on emoluments with a net gain of N4 billion. However, in 2012, we got N28.4 billion and expended N31.6 billion on emoluments. This left us, for the first time, with a deficit of N3.2 billion. The following year, 2013, our statutory allocation had dropped to N26.4 billion while our emoluments rose to N36.9 billion. This gave us a whopping N10.4 billion deficit. In 2014, our statutory allocation fell further to N19.3 billion and by which time we were already defaulting on some of our obligations on emoluments, which had also dropped to N22.4 billion, but still left us with a deficit of N3 billion. In summary, between November 2010 and December 2014, we got a total statutory allocation of N108.3 billion and our expenditure on emoluments was N120.4 billion. It left us with a total deficit of N12 billion.
The above scenario only covers our expenditure on salaries and other emoluments, if we are to include other recurrent expenditure, it will give us another scenario. In the period under review, our total recurrent expenditure was N206 billion while our statutory allocation was N108.3 billion. If we add other accruals from Abuja to our income, it will only add up to N176.5 billion and we will still be left with a deficit of almost N30 billion, which means that the state would not have been able to run government. Even when we add our internally generated revenue, we were still only able to muster N204 billion and still short by N2 billion. It simply means that all our earning from all sources between 2010 and 2014 could not carry our recurrent expenditure.
The drop in statutory allocation in 2013 was attributed to theft of over 400,000 barrels of crude daily but later, the fall in oil price from over $100 to about $50 per barrel only compounded the crisis.
In 2015, the net statutory allocation in January was N1.25 billion, in February, it was N1.12 billion, in March, it dropped scandalously to N624 million while April figure dropped further to N466 million.
As I said earlier, our statutory allocation began a precipitous fall in 2013 while our salaries and emoluments began a steady climb. The contrasting state of our allocation from the federation account is highlighted by the peak of our allocation of N5 billion we received in February 2013 against the N466 million we just received for April.
These details will put a lie to the accusation that we were profligate. How could we have been profligate when our statutory allocation alone cannot meet our obligations on salaries and other emoluments? The financial challenge we faced was enormous and daunting and a disaster was mitigated by our prudent management and sheer financial wizardry that made us to get so much from so little. It could have been worse. We should see the cup as half full, instead of half empty.
Another factor that raised our emoluments expenditure was our commitment to pensions. When we began in November 2010, we were paying N200 million pension monthly and so for 2010, we committed N400 million. However, in 2011, we increased our monthly pension obligation to N250 million and we had to pay N3 billion in that year. By March of 2012 our pension obligation has risen to N300 million monthly which cost us N3.5 billion for that year. But in December 2012, about 5,000 retirees were added to the 9,000 strong army of pensioners in the state and in the following year, 2013, we increased our monthly pension bill to N520 million and paid out N5 billion in that year. That same year, another set of 3,500 workers retired at the local government to enlist in the local government pension brigade. By the time we started lagging behind on pension payment in 2014, we had already committed a total of N4.9 billion to pensions in the year.
It is on record that I was the first to raise the alarm in 2013 that the mysterious drop in allocation amounts to waging war against the states. I was vilified then by a section of the press and the Federal Government was not even ready to listen to our cry. No fiscal instrument of succour in stabilisation, augmentation and other assistance was extended to us, even as our allocation continued to drop. It was like they were mocking us by saying: ‘Good for them, their financial ruination will make us to easily defeat them in the coming elections’. But we survived this by the infinite grace of God and the unflinching support of our people to emerge triumphant in the governorship election of 2014 and the General Elections earlier this year.
Distinguished honourable members of the House, you are coming in at a time of great challenge, but with great challenge also comes an opportunity for greatness. While our capital expenditure for the period we are reviewing was N110 billion, our total recurrent expenditure was N206 billion of which emoluments alone constitute N120.4 billion (58.5 per cent). This makes capital expenditure only 33 per cent of our total expenditure. Although this is above national average, we consider it anomalous and which calls for creativity and astuteness in raising our revenue profile, balancing our books and reversing the capital-recurrent expenditure ratio, in order to bring development to our people and justify the mandate given to us.
We have been able to shock and awe our opponents, critics and traducers in the past four years with outstanding performance in all areas. We were able to do this partly because we are creative; we obtained long term funding from capital market and deployed various derivative financing strategy but we still have an outstanding liabilities.
Our outstanding mandatory expenditure in salaries and pensions for 2014 is N13.1 billion. Between January and May this year alone, we have accumulated mandatory expenditure of N16.5 billion in arrears. But we must run the government, provide infrastructure, develop our people through qualitative education, good healthcare services provision and recreation facilities and bring prosperity through job creation and enabling entrepreneurs.
The Parliament is the first refuge of the people because it is composed of lawmakers elected directly to represent their constituencies – make good laws for their governance, secure their welfare and protect their interest. It is from parliament, though under a parliamentary system, that Chief Obafemi Awolowo launched on January 7, 1952 the welfarist and progressive government that kick-started the second stage of Yoruba civilisation with the attendant prosperity and development of Yorubaland in all facets. This challenge is therefore your opportunity to be great and write your name in gold, irrespective of your political party.
The parliament is also noted as a symbol of the legitimacy of government as expressed in its support by people paying tax. James Otis, it was, who said that taxation without representation is tyranny. This was in protest of the British occupation of the Americas and forcible exaction of taxes from the subjects without political representation at the British Parliament. This led to the rebellion that culminated in American independence in 1776. The converse of this principle is that if it is immoral to exact taxation without representation, by the same token, it will be inappropriate to have representation without the supporting taxation. The time has come for our people to brace up and support the government with their taxes.
Indeed, the only way we can survive, or any government for that matter, is to generate our own revenue and be self-sufficient. Long before this crisis came, I was the first to make the case for self-reliance and severance of our dependency on allocation from Abuja. We have abundant human and material resources and we can sustain ourselves if we look inwards. The difficult can be done at once; while the impossible only takes a little longer.
This is our finest hour. We will overcome this challenge. We will fulfil our mandate. We will serve our people. God, who was with us in our first term, will not desert us. We will emerge from this triumphant and stronger and our people will have cause for singing and rejoicing.
Distinguished lawmakers, ladies and gentlemen, permit me once again, to close with the last stanza of my school anthem.
 
‘Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ‘tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future
And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above his own.’
 
Finally, let me thank the honourable lawmakers – the returning members, the outgoing ones and new members. I wish you a successful tenure and good service to your people and the state.
To the distinguished audience, I thank you all for your kind attention.
Osun a dara!

Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Monday, said the Osun Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) cannot seek to confuse or deceive President Muhammadu Buhari by simply adding up bogus figures or revenues in order to blackmail the government.
Aregbesola, while responding to a request to the President by the SDP to commence his battle against corruption by probing the administration of Aregbesola, said just as it’s failed governorship candidate, Segun Akinwusi, the SDP has demonstrated crass ignorance of basic issues of governance.
A statement signed by the Director of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, ‎said that assuming without conceding that SDP’s figures of revenues that accrued to Osun are even correct, what the party has simply said is that nothing like development work took place throughout the period in question.
Where does the SDP want to place the chains of monumental projects‎ that have hallmarked the Aregbesola administration.
The people of Osun were neither daft nor blind to these achievements, hence, their fanatical support for his re-election despite orchestrated lies by the likes of SDP and it’s shameless allies like the PDP.
We are not surprised by SDP’s imagined ambition to outdo the PDP in its penchant for fabrication.
Expectedly, their ability to lie dug for them their electoral grave.‎
For instance, it was PDP that originated such lies as son of the Governor being a contractor awarded the fictitious N8bn Opon Imo project; a project that has cost the state less than N2bn so far.
So also it was PDP that falsely accused the wife of the Governor of being the contractor that got the Osun School Uniform project.
Did it take much sweat for the Sam and Sarah, an indigenous garment factory in Nigeria, to scuttle the lies and claim it’s ownership of the Osun School Uniform project?
Till date, no one has disproved the fact that through a creative partnership with that company, Osun has benefited from the muti-billion Naira Omoluabi Garment Factory, which has also become a veritable source of employment for more than 3, 000 youth of the state
Weak lies such as these that sank the PDP are the same the SDP is regurgitating.
‎ But for Aregbesola’s ingenuity and the deep commitment of his administration to a rapid development of Osun, what accrued to the state in form of revenue was nothing compared to massive investment in infrastructure ( as can be illustrated by the completion of over 900km of roads before the end of his first term.)
Same goes for the state-of-the-art schools that are now beautiful sight to behold across the state.
It is clear SDP enjoys no touch with the grassroots of Osun, otherwise‎, it would have saved itself the embarrassment of not recognising the 40, 000 youths, who formed the two batches of the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES).
With that scheme alone, N200 million entered the economy of the state every month for a period of four years.
But obviously, SDP and it’s leaders are so bereft of ideas that they cannot recognise the security implication of unleashing a huge population of 40, 000 jobless youths on the state had Aregbesola not been creative enough to set up the scheme.
It is obvious that SDP and it’s leaders have failed to recognise the fact that the development model employed by the Aregbesola administration in Osun became the reference point for the APC in its nationwide campaign in spite of the unfortunate national revenue crisis.
No one can fault the solid development foundation that the Aregbesola government has laid.
Therefore, the party should realise that it has only succeeded in making itself a laughing stalk in the estimation of President Muhammadu Buhari rather than convincing him that there is something to be probed about the Aregbesola government.
 

 
 

The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeals file by Senator Iyiola Omisore and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which affirmed the victory of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola as the winner of the August 9 Governorship election held in Osun State. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court allowed the cross appeal by Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The full panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Hon Justice John Fabiyi JSC also had Hon Justice Sylvester Ngwuta JSC, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola JSC, Hon Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed JSC, Hon Justice Clara Bata-Ogunbiyi JSC, Hon Justice Inyang Okoro JSC and Hon Justice Centus Nweze JSC.
In the leading judgment read by Hon Justice Centus Nweze JSC, the Supreme Court held that the Appellants failed to lead credible and cogent evidence in support of the allegations of non-compliance they made in their petition. The court held that the complaint by the appellants that the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal did not properly evaluate the evidence led in the case has no support from the record. The court painstakingly examined the records and the judgment of the Tribunal and held that the evidence of the Petitioners witnesses in all the seventeen local governments lacked credibility. It was further held that the appellants failed to lead evidence in respect of many areas that it made allegations and therefore the allegations are deemed abandoned as allegations in a petition without evidence to support them are of no moment.
The court made reference to the avalanche of documents tendered by the Appellants but held that the documents cannot avail the appellants because same were merely dumped on the court. The court held that it is trite law that evidence must be led to tie the documents to the aspects of the case for which they were tendered but that the Appellants failed in this regard. It was further held that the lower courts were right in discountenancing the attempt by Counsel to the Appellants to explain the documents in their address. According to the court, evidence on purport of documents must be led in open court and the Appellants failed to do so in the case.
On the evidence of PW15 and PW38 who were called as experts by the Appellants, the Supreme Court held that there was nothing technical or scientific about the evidence they led and therefore, the court held that the lower courts were right in not treating them as experts. Further, it was held that theses witnesses like an iron in a furnace melted under the crucible of devastating cross examination by the Respondents and were badly discredited such that no reasonable tribunal can rely on their testimony.
On the second appeal of the Appellants, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Tribunal ought to have dismissed the Petition as an abandoned Petition for failure of the Appellant to apply for notice of pre-haring session in accordance with paragraph 18 of the first schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended. The court also held that the Reply of the Petitioners to Respondent’s Reply ought to have been struck out as same was filed out of time. It was further held that the provisions of Interpretation Act on computation of time are not applicable to election petition.
After dismissing the appeal of the Appellants, the Supreme Court then considered and allowed the cross Appeal by Aregbesola’s Counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN. The court held that the Reply of the Petitioners to Respondent’s Reply ought to have been struck out as same was filed out of time.
In respect of the complaints by Aregbesola’s Lawyer about admissibility of certain documents, the Supreme Court held that the avalanche of result forms tendered by the Appellants were not properly certified and that the reports of the expert called are also inadmissible as violating the provision of section 84 of the Evidence Act. The court held that section 84 of the Evidence Act is not limited to documents generated on the internet.
On the whole, the Supreme Court dismissed the Appeals of the Appellants and allowed the Cross-Appeal of the Respondents. All the justices concurred with the leading judgment. In his concurring judgment, Hon Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed, JSC, held that even though the appellants have the right to appeal, the appeal ought not have been filed as same is utterly frivolous. His Lordship also held that the cross appeal by Aregbesola is an overkill.
Speaking to the press after the judgment, Ajibola Basiru, Esq Counsel to All Progressives Congress (APC) stated that even though the cross appeal was an overkill, the judgment of the Supreme Court will be of significance in certain respects, that is; the form of proper certification of public document; inapplicability of Interpretation Act in computation of time in election petition, the scope of section 84 of the Evidence Act of computer generated evidence; and strict compliance with paragraph 18(1) of the first schedule of the Electoral Act and thereby distinguished the previous case of Saheed v Yakowa.
 
 

The Supreme Court has upheld the August 2014 election victory of Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

The apex court also dismissed the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore challenging Aregbesola’s victory.

A seven-man panel of the court, led by Justice John Fabiyi, held that Aregbesola was duly elected and was not found guilty of any election malpractice.

The Supreme Court therefore upheld the rulings of the Court of Appeal in Akure and the Osun State Election Tribunal, which had both acknowledged Aregbesola as the winner of the election.

PULSE

AREGBESOLA IS ABOVE BOARD AND BEYOND REPROACH
BY OLUMIDE LAWAL
 There is nothing more difficult to carry out, not more doubtful of success, not more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order and only lukewarm defenders in all those, who would profit by the new order. This lukewarm arises, partly from incredibility of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new, until they have actually experienced it.
 
It is in this perception, that the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola found himself when he came on the scene in Osun State. When its progress was at the lowest ebb. Infact, inert. But the Ijesa born politician, was determined to go the whole hog of making Osun State an Eldorado, no matter what. Only an administration with the heart of steel and grim resolve could accomplish such feat.
Setting out to achieve his avowed goals expectedly met with resistance from those, who profited by the old order of doing things in Osun State. It was they first and the larger populace last. To the glory of God, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has opened up Osun State to certain level of socio-economic development. In the course of his first term in office, far-reaching infrastructural facilities were put in place to international standard with frugality. Roads, hitherto considered unpassable and difficult to rehabilitate, saw the magic wands of Ogbeni Aregbesola and residents of such areas heaved a sigh of relief. Shout of “ONA BABA ONA, rent the air.
For the first four years of Ogbeni Aregbesola in the saddle, workers’ salaries and pensions were paid as and when due and his government was regarded as worker-friendly. Even certain percentage of the workers’ salaries were paid as 13^th month bonus. But now, that the world is witnessing economic recession, Governor Aregbesola should device a means and a solid one too, whereby payment of workers’ salaries and pension would not suffer unduly. It is said, that a labourer’s wages should be paid before his or her sweat dries up.
For workers to remain on empty stomachs for several months in certain cases, speaks volume. The government should be prepared to invest in human capacity. If certain projects have to be scaled down, so be it. According to Uruguay President, Jose Pepe Mujiba, who in anyway goes to work in an old Volkswagen bettle said and I quote “it’s no mystery-the less poverty, the more commerce. The most important investment we can make, is in human resources”. Osun economy is tied to workers salaries and pensions, we are ‘naked’ industrially. What do we do, should the black gold, known as crude oil dries up? In Osun State, we should start setting the pace, by looking aggressively into areas, where we can buoyed over internal revenue and jobs generation.
All the cries by State Governors about accrual from crude oil to their States is diminishing, only show laziness on their parts, as to how to source for alternative revenues. First Republic was without crude oil and those in governance served their people well. Osun State should not be in the league of those who will depend absolutely on oil revenue. But for all that I know, our governor is working round the clock to leave enviable legacies behind him after 2018, which is around the corner. He should put in place, a formidable economic team, that is truly indigenous, to fashion out the way forward for the State. An Economic Team,  that would bring back on air the sweet aroma from Osun Cocoa products industry, Ede and return the factory to production. Sir Adewale Adeeyo should speak out as the current Chairman of the Board of the Company.
Here is an ‘unsual’ governor, who like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, do not lay claim to monopoly of wisdom. But while, some in positions of leadership and rulership, are busy fraternizing with men of shady characters and carousing with women of easy virtue, Aregbesola like a few others, remains at his post, working assiduously to find solutions to Osun problem. Only the deep, can call to the deep. His likes, are found in other South-West APC governors, who like Ogbeni Aregbesola, are steadily transforming their states to the applause of their citizenry.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, should continue firing from all cylinders, to take Osun State to the promised land. There should be no looking back, even where detractors are busy putting one hurdle or the other on his way. Those who will stop at nothing to distract him, going by the recent satanic rumours peddled against his amiable son, Kabiru, who of course has been vindicated. Such is the price to pay for leadership, though it could be a bitter pill to swallow.
For those, who may wish to settle one political score or the other with Governor Aregbesola, they should not engage in such political pettiness of dragging the good name of an innocent youngman, like Kabiru in the mud. They should discuss issues, rather than character assassination of innocent people. Journalism should be practiced in the best interest of all.
I am quite convinced, that with the new administration of President –Elect, Muhammed Buhari, Osun, with pragmatism and political wizardry of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, will partake of the largesse that would accrue to states.  Osun State progress was according to some narrow-minded people allegedly retarded in the last four years, because of Ogbeni Aregbesola “unrepentant antagonistic postures” toward out-going President Jonathan. Whatever that means! But now, that APC is in control of the Central government, Governor Aregbesola should curry the favour of the Federal Government and attract federal projects to Osun in quantum. And if need be, the governor should re-appraise the ongoing Gbongan-Akoda, Osogbo-Ilaodo roads under construction, and do the necessary things with the Federal Ministry of Works or hand over such projects to the Federal government, using his excellent relationship with the President-Elect for the good of the people of Osun State. If Governor Rauf Aregbesola, spends four terms in office, he cannot finish the development projects in Osun State. He should tread softly. Try his best and leave the rest for others.
What Governor Aregbesola needs do in Osun State, right now is to re-order his priorities and make human capacity development, the centre-stage of his administration, while continuing to plug all loop holes, that are areas of wastage to the government, even if those who profited by such old order  are not happy. He should not care a hoot about their grouse, which are unjustifiable.
All he needs to do, is to pay workers salaries and pensions as and when due. With this, he would have shut the mouths of those who are living big outside their legitimate incomes. While re-appraising his capital projects, Governor Aregbesola should not forget his promise of dualising the Ede major township road. The Babangida Way. He should send Julius Berger to Ede to work, if only as compensation for Senator Isiaka Adeleke unquantifiable support for him in 2014 governorship election.
And this brings to the fore, the necessity for Governor Aregbesola, to set necessary machineries in motion to conduct Local Government election in Osun State, with the release of the result of the referendum conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission, under the able leadership of Otunba Segun Laditan for creation of Local Council Development Areas as a prelude to the exercise.
It is baffling, that four years on, the same category of people are running the Local Government Caretaker Affairs in Osun. This is unwelcome. Is there anything more to it than meet the eyes? Where they are elected, the Local Government caretaker committee members are constitutionally entitled to three years in office. What is at stake, our dear governor Aregbesola? If it is your wish to make do with caretaker committee for the rest of the life of your administration, please extend the favour to other party members, so as to see you as a true democrat and a leader for all. You cannot afford to be dictatorial in this regard.
They may not say it out, members of APC in Osun State are grumbling over the Local Government Caretaker issue. Please do something before the grumbling becomes louder. What is good for the goose is a sauce for the gander. Everybody contributed his or her own little quota to your success at the August 9, 2014 governorship election. But what is paramount, is the conduct of local government election in Osun State, without further delay, as soon as funds are available for the purpose. The State House of Assembly should also play its check and balance role in this regard. For all I know, Governor Aregbesola will leave Osun State better than he met it. I trust in his ability to deliver.
Once again, let us engage in politics of love, affection and development in Osun State. We should continue to wish our leaders well and pray for them as a demonstration of our obedience to Biblical and Koranic injunctions. We should not behave like that man in Ekiti State, who pointedly wished our President-elect dead. May God forgive him and indeed, those who orchestrated evil machination against the Governor’s son –Kabiru, whose services are needed in his own little ways to the development of Osun as its bonafide citizen.
To accelerate the state internally generated revenue, Governor Aregbesola should embark on aggressive property tax collection, to boost the State revenue. Despite the economic down-turn, gigantic and imposing structures, called homes to the novoux-rich, are springing up at Osogbo G.R.A and other locations in the State capital and other choice areas of the State. If those involved could have so much to erect such structures, they should spare the State something substantial as property tax. Afterall, such locations in G.R.A enjoy the best of road network and electricity supply, as they are on dedicated lines from whatever you call it. Are the numerous ‘five star’ hotels that now litter Osun State paying up the correct taxes to you Ogbeni Aregbesola?
Osun shall certainly excel and be a model for other states to emulate. It should be many steps ahead of others. We all have our patriotic roles to play. We are ready to do that, if the Governor provides a level playing ground to do so. He should not give room to those, who will tell him, only those things that are sweet to his ears. They cry Hossanah today, crucify him tomorrow.
 
Olumide Lawal
A public Affairs Analyst, write from Ede, Osun State.