10th NASS: We’ll Ensure Fairness, Justice, Equity Prevails – Makinde

As members of the 10th National Assembly elect their leaders on Tuesday, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that fairness, justice and equity will be ensured in the election of the leadership of the Senate and the state House of Assembly.

Governor Makinde made the declaration during a post inauguration Special Interdenominational thanksgiving service organised by the Oyo state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in conjunction with Fathers of Faith in the state held at Oritamefa Baptist Church, Total Garden, Ibadan on Monday.

He spoke against the backdrop of ongoing political intrigues among members of the Senate to elect a muslim northerner to lead the Red chamber against the choice of the president and all state governors for a Christian Senate President in the interest of religious balancing having had the President and Vice President as muslims

Makinde said: “By all means we must guard our democracy, it is still the type of governance where everyone is involved, until you have an outcome, you don’t know what will happen, the People’s will will prevail at the end of the day.

“We have an assignment, and it is big deal for this country, this time tomorrow the leadership of the National Assembly will be known, we have prayed here, but the reality of our reality is that there are enemy of this country, they believe in sowing seeds of discord, they tried in Oyo state a couple of days before my election, they tried to polarize this state along religious lines, they mobilized muslims that Seyi is a Christian, don’t vote for him. Of course, in Oyo state, we did not allow them so they went away in shame. And we would do it at the national level as well , tomorrow they will go away in shame.

“We already have a President that is of Islamic faith, and a Vice president that is of same faith, number three is going to be the Senate President and what we are saying across party lines,all the governors in Nigeria and am saying it publicly, we came together and said we will support the choice of the President who is a Christian from the South -South region of Nigeria

“We are not playing religious politics, but what is fair is fair, we stood for southern presidency, we stood for justice, we stood for fairnes and we are going to stand for equity

“So I will be at the National Assembly tomorrow, eventhough I wasn’t elected a Senator and I have never been elected one, I will be there with other of my colleagues , we have fixed a meeting for this afternoon,that is why I am not going to stay long , we will go and ensure that principle of fairness, justice and equity prevails in the election of the president of the Senate of the federal Republic of Nigeria

The governor, who read the first lesson from Psalm 100, had earlier expressed his appreciation to the Christian body and the Fathers Of Faith for their spiritual support stating that the gesture will serve as a motivation for him to rededicate his life to the service of Oyo state.

Speaking on his re-election, he said he initially was not interested in running for another term but was convinced by fathers of faith to run for another term so as to consolidate on most of the works his administration started

“Truly and truly there is no success without a successor, do the work they have given to me is actually not 2023 to 2027 bacause we will put Oyo state on the path to sustainable development between 2023 to 2027, but the work they have given to me is between 2027 and beyond, so am going to do my best , we will carry the people of Oyo state along. We have the road map for sustainable development.

“So I want to sincerely thank God for the opportunity, support and for the people of Oyo state for finding us worthy to serve you for another four years.

On the constitution of a new cabinet and appointments into political offices, governor Makinde said the State House of Assembly will be proclaimed on Wednesday adding that “from that point we can move really fast to then make appointments and get people to start work . By the grace of God we won’t disappoint God and we won’t disappoint you.”

Oyo state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Apostle Dr. Joshua Akinyemiju in his brief exhortation described Governor Makinde as a political apostle and a covenant child of God who brought accountability and probity to the governance of Oyo state.

“That governor Makinde is an assiduous, tenacious unflinching and . heterogeneous entity is not a subject of any debate. He has a gallant and indomitable spirit to succeed in any venture he sets his hand and mind upon while relying solely on the omnipotent God. We are saying, there is no godfather.

“This Governor is a reformed reformer who has moved Oyo state from poverty to prosperity within a period of two years. Engineer Seyi Makinde is belignant, altruistic, libreral and broad-minded in his propensity. The prediliction of the governor in the management of situations in Oyo state is an instructional template to other state of the federation. The dept of his intellectual, professional and cognitive domain is immeasurable ” he stated

Prayers were offered for the governor and his family, the state, nation and the church

In attendance are the state Deputy governor , Barrister Bayo Lawal, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima, former first lady of the state, Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja, former deputy governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former speaker Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola and the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) Hon. Dayo Ogungbadero

Others include; the Head of Service Mrs Olubunmi Oni, Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, former Chief of Staff, Dr. Saka Balogun, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) , the olubadan of Ibadanland represented by High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin as well as religious leaders and service chiefs.