Oyo state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has revealed how he won the 2019 gubernatorial election in Oyo State. Makinde said he scaled different hurdles before attaining the feat, stressing that he has no political godfather, except God the father.
Makinde who was a special guest at the Pan Yoruba Summit held this Wednesday at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The Governor acknowledged that God placed him at the helm of affairs, the reason he cannot be afraid of men, no matter how powerful they.
“Let me go down the historical lane a little bit. Before I won the last election, I scaled through different hurdles and I don’t think there is anything that cannot make me do the right thing for the people. I make bold to say I am not encumbered in any way. I have no political godfather except God the father. I know it was God that placed me in this position, the reason I cannot be afraid of men, no matter how powerful they are.
“During the 2019 election, I went to meet Iba Gani Adams at home and so many other people and they told me that if I needed OPC people to guard the polling booths, they would be made available. And if you remember, One Million Cult boys were also threatening to disrupt the electoral process. Eventually, all the people who were arrested for involving in irregularities were from APC. No single person mentioned that I sent him or her to commit any offense. So, the God, who we are resting upon, is still on the throne.
“By the virtue of my office, I can see some certain things that you cannot easily see and I stand on my honor to say that I will take decisions in the best interest of my people.
“Now, some are saying that Presidency should be zoned to the South West in 2023 and making some unfounded comments. One thing I know is, the issue of 2023 should not be the main discourse for now but how we can ensure we give people what they deserve in this federation called Nigeria. That is what I think is the major challenge before us. And where it is needless to spill the blood of innocent people, we should not. Like our father will say ‘wisdom surpasses power’. So, I want to urge us to apply wisdom in all we do. If we fail to apply wisdom, I pray none of us will be collateral damage.
“What do they want to do to Seyi Makinde? As I stand before you, if I am being asked to leave the seat as the governor, I do not have a pin to go and pick in my office in Secretariat. I go there with my bag and go back to my house with my bag. I made a commitment to the people of Oyo State to serve them. So, I am not bothered about the position but bothered about the welfare, development and growth of Oyo State and Yorubaland in general.
“At the last security meeting we had, I created a War Room because the issue of security is beyond rhetoric. I also set up a Task Force on security, which I am chairing, and one of the decisions we took there is that in the security architecture of Oyo State, we must now incorporate non-state actors. Even there is in-fighting in the Amotekun outfit we created. What we want to achieve is Oyo State, and by extension, the Yorubaland in which people can sleep with their two eyes closed; where people can go about their lawful businesses without any hindrance.
“In the days to come, those who are not in Amotekun, who could be OPC or Soludero or Vigilante, we will be coming to them to participate in what we call voluntary policing. What it means is all hands must be put on deck to address the issue of security and development of our state. Government alone cannot do it. Our security agencies cannot do it all alone. Our traditional rulers and the non-state actors must come together to support their government.
“You installed this government and if this government is ready to listen to you and do what you want, please give your support.”