How Makinde, Oyetola are spearheading regional revolution on good governance

Despite their different political affiliations, two South-west states are collaborating to link their states with a servicable road. BAYO AGBOOLA reports.

Considering the on going gesture between Oyo and Osun state governments on the planned rehabilitation/ construction of 91km Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo road, there are indications that better days are now ahead of Nigerian masses in terms of reaping real dividends of democracy.


The 91km Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo road serving as a major link between Oyo and Osun states has for over 20 years been left unattended to by past governments in the two states including the military thereby leaving the road as death trap, leaving travellers with the only available alternative route of Ibadan – Gbongan – Odeomu – Akoda – Osogbo road which almost doubles the distance of the abandoned road.


It was however jubilation galore for the people of the two states when news filtered in that governments of the two states are now ready to jointly handle the rehabilitation/reconstruction of the 91km roads which for years has become headache to users mostly those that are left with no other route than to ply the route regardless of its terrible and worst situation.


Making good their intentions to construct the road, Governors Seyi Makinde and Adegboyega Oyetola with prominent traditional rulers including the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun represented by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abulrasheed Akanbi; Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao and the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Olabisi, among others on Thursday, October, 27 stormed Ido Osun town axis of the road for the flag off of the rehabilitation/ reconstruction of the long abandoned 91km road.

Gesture a novel revolution

Flagging off the rehabilitation/construction of the road, Makinde minced no words in describing the gesture as leading revolution of promoting good governance in the South-west part of the country, saying, the two governors have been able to lead a revolution and collaboration that put the people of the two states first, relegated politics and partisanship to the background, while delivering dividends of good governance to the people.


According to him, Oyo state government under his leadership chose to explore the opportunities of collaboration at the outset of the administration and that the fruits of the state’s collaboration with sister-states included the establishment of Amotekun Corps, the sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and now the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo road.


“Today, I am joining His Excellency, Gboyega Oyetola, and together we are again making history. This time, as jointly agreed, we would be linking our dear states with a road project. And so, another milestone of collaboration is reached with this flagging off of the asphaltic reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of the Osogbo-Ibadan-Iwo road. I mentioned earlier that in Oyo state, we are leading a revolution. We are saying politics should be left to those few months when INEC says we should begin campaigning either for elections or re-election. Even then, we must practise politics of justice and fairness without bitterness and rancour. The revolution we are leading in Oyo state is a revolution of thought. Again, we are saying, governance must always overshadow politics,” he said.
Engr Makinde added, ” When we make decisions, we must always put the interests of our people first. Of course, you already know that my brother, the governor of Osun state is from the All Progressives Congress (APC) while I belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite this difference, we have accomplished things that people from the same party were unable to do. This is the revolution we are talking about. This latest collaboration also comes with dividends of good governance. When this road is completed, our people would be able to travel with more ease between the states, thereby enhancing trade and commerce. And as we say in Oyo state, where roads go, development follows. So, in the next year or so, we would begin to see the development in real terms.”


While describing the flag-off of the 91-kilometre road as historic, Engr Makinde stressed that the two states would be linked with the road project, which would allow ease of travel and increase in commerce and trades between the sister-states. He pointed out that the revolution of thought being led by Oyo has brought a new order where the people have been benefiting from the collaborative efforts of his administration with sister-states in the South-west.


“I know, when people hear the word revolution, they often think of bloody wars that lead to change in a political order. Well, don’t be alarmed, I am not here to preach violence. Rather, I am here to talk about a different kind of revolution that is happening in Oyo state.


“You know revolutions always bring to birth a new order, a new way of doing things. So, the revolution in Oyo state has led to us changing the former ways of doing things. In the past, every state used to mind their own business and operate in their own little corners, but with this new way of doing things, we are pursuing collaborations with our sister states. When we just came in, we started on this path with one of the biggest collaborations in the history of South-west states. We all came together and decided on creating the Western Nigeria Security Network code named Amotekun. And in 2020, we operationalised the Oyo-Amotekun. As I have said on many occasions, our people cannot imagine life without Amotekun.


“Also, just about two years ago, we celebrated another win that resulted in this revolution. My brother, our host for this flag-off, His Excellency Gboyega Oyetola, the executive governor of Osun state was a big part of that history. He benevolently acceded to granting us sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), which made it possible for me to fulfill a campaign promise to the good people of Oyo state. Let me once again use this opportunity to say thank you, Egbon.”

Oyetola hails Makinde

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola at the flagging off of the road construction hailed Engr Makinde for rising above political differences and considerations to collaborate with the Osun state government to ensure that the laudable project comes to fruition and to further entrench regional integration.
“The project is a dream come true as it is part of his government’s effort to provide quality roads on an equitable basis and entrench sustainable economic development.


“I salute the political sagacity and astuteness of Engr Seyi Makinde who rose above all political differences and considerations to collaborate with us to not only ensure that this laudable project comes to fruition, but to further entrench regional integration. When the project was initially conceptualised, our plan was to fix the Osogbo-Iwo section that belongs to Osun. We, however, on a second thought observed that the Oyo state section too was in a very bad shape and capable of defeating the objective of our road reconstruction / rehabilitation effort. Consequently, we reached out to Governor Makinde and without hesitation, he embarked on this invaluable voyage with us.


“I must, therefore, reiterate that, but for the tenacity of my counterpart from Oyo state and his understanding, this all-important collaborative project would not have become a reality.
“For me, I believe this kind of collaboration would further promote regional integration in the South-west. I, therefore, on behalf of the government and good people of Osun, once more thank my brother-governor for this rare collaborative effort.”


The project billed to be completed in 18 months has its Osun state segment of 55.4km as Osogbo (Dele Yes Sir Roundabout)-Iwo-Papa Village (Osun/Oyo Boundary) with the dualisation of 2.8km Dele Yes Sir Roundabout to Sawmill, Osogbo while the Oyo state’s segment would cover 35.6km Iwo Road Interchange (Ibadan)-Olodo Bridge-Lalupon-Papa village (Oyo/Osun Boundary) awarded to Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.
Without doubt, the rehabilitation/ construction of the 91 km road by the two state governments would go a long way in improving the movement of people, goods particularly food products easily from within and across the two states along the Ede, Iwo, Lalupon, Ejioku, Ibadan axis as well as improving movement towards Kwara state.


It is hope that the gesture overwhelmingly applauded by people in Oyo and Osun states and even beyond would be delivered within the stipulated time of completion and be a blessing to the two state governments and its people.