‘It is one united government under Gov. Makinde’— Deputy Gov tells Oke-Ogun chairmen elect

The Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal has charged the ten newly elected chairmen from Oke-ogun zone under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be united, stating that the current administration is a one united government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde. 

Barr. Lawal, who gave the advice during the ten chairmen elect’s thank-you visit to the Governor’s office on Friday to present their certificate of returns, noted that the Governor remains the arrowhead of the government. 

He urged the chairmen to key behind the current administration in developing the Oke-Ogun zone, pointing out that the zone has valuable resources that can be tapped to develop the zone.

The Deputy Governor cautioned the chairmen not to allow anti-party actions or division to set them apart in their respective local governments, even as he charged them to relate more with their leaders in their respective local governments. 

He described their recent victory in the 2024 local government election as a very resounding one, expressing his confidence that Oke-Ogun will be well focused just like Ibadan zone with the present arrangement. 

Barr. Lawal said: “You must handle your activities with your leaders in your respective local governments. Don’t let us repeat the experiences that made us lose some House of Assembly candidates of the party in the last general election. 

“Collectively, you must all work together to address some challenges particularly on the issue of security. Incoming chairmen must work together to flush out bandits and strengthen the security architecture particularly in Olorunsogo and Irepo local governments. 

“Once again, I want to congratulate you. Whenever there is an issue, or you are being invited by the house of assembly, please attend to clear yourself. 

“It’s one united government and the arrowhead of the government is His Excellency, Seyi Makinde. That’s not patronizing but a reality, and I am happy I have a good relationship with him.”

Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Muhammed Abiodun Fadeyi, who was privileged to be at the meeting, congratulated the newly elected chairmen stating, “your beginning is your end, as you start, so you end, so, my prayer is that you will end well.”

The Deputy Speaker urged the chairmen to carry their followers along in whatever they are doing stressing that it’s only with transparency and openness they can deliver dividends of democracy and also be saved from any court issue or petition. 

“Even when there’s petition, the parliamentarians would be able to trace it. I pray God will guide you all”, he said. 

The brief meeting was attended by Comm. for Establishment and Training, Barrister Niyi Adebisi; Comm. For Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Saliu Adelabu; Chairman of the Pension Board and a prominent PDP figure in the zone, Adekunle Rafiu, Oyo North PDP senatorial Chairman, Adekunle Yusuf and host of others, who advised the newly elected chairmen to be fair with their followers. 

They equally tasked them on cooperation with the state government reiterating that the Deputy Governor remains the high ranking government functionary and leader of the zone.