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diranodeyemi@yahoo.co.uk London, UK

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OYO STATE: THE NEW BEGINNING

ix weeks ago, no amount of persuasion would have convinced an investor to make Oyo State a business centre. The State was branded a danger zone suitable only for those who wanted to commit suicide. It was that bad.

Oyo State in the eye of the world was likened to a mini Iraq where life and property are not secured. The signal sent to Nigerians home and abroad was that in Oyo State, things were no longer at ease and that government businesses have been paralyzed and grounded to a complete halt.

A Lagos based newspaper even reported that houses were being burnt in Ogbomosho, the home town of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, and in Ibadan the home town of Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu while another one came up with a screaming headline "Pandemonium in Oyo State" all in an attempt to bring down the government of Governor Alao-Akala.

Much as I would not like to re-open old wounds, I find it relatively difficult talking about the present without recourse to the past in a modest manner.

The true appraisal of Oyo state today is that there is no tension in the land, all areas are cool and calm, there is a government in place and the people have embraced the change of leadership that presented Governor Akala as the head.

Without fear of contradiction, I want to state that post events after the impeachment of Ex-Governor Rasheed Ladoja were exaggerated and embellished as if Alhaji Ladoja was that well-liked by the people of Oyo State. Since the essence of this piece is not to catalogue Alhaji Ladoja's series of constitutional breaches, financial and moral fouls that eventually led to his impeachment, I will not go further on this statement of fact.

What accounted for the bad publicity aftermath of the impeachment is that some people are experts in crying more than the bereaved. The point really is that an average Nigerian liked to be hard on every issue.

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Rather than leave the correct interpretation of what the constitution says about impeachment in the hands of lawyers who are adequately trained for the purpose, too many Nigerians took up the duty of prosecutor and at the same time serving as the judge.

Those who hitherto do not know a sentence in the constitution of Nigeria suddenly became experts in identifying faults in an impeachment process. They painted a government as illegal based on what they were told rather than seek knowledge of what the law says about the process.

Contractors who saw Ladoja's impeachment as set-back for them rolled out money for propaganda. They were joined by those who believed the impeachment has thrown spanner in their calculation of a joint sponsorship of a presidential candidate in 2007.

The propaganda was so much that ordinary bus conductor and primary school pupils were brainwashed to mouth illegality over an impeachment matter that is still pending in court.

Many people saw an opportunity in using Ladoja's name to fight old acrimony they nursed against Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, whereas left to the impeached Ladoja, the whole saga was a relief to him; he now has enough time for his many wives and businesses all of which have suffered as a result of his electoral victory in 2003.

Someone closer to Alhaji Ladoja once hinted that apart from the siren blowing front and back of his convoy, there is nothing in being a governor that he does not possess. The fellow mentioned too much money, many beautiful women and billion naira worth of assets spread across the world.

Another aide who had served Alhaji Ladoja disclosed that shortly after he (Alhaji Ladoja) became the governor, regret sets in when he realised the hassles of being in power. He is easily irritated attending to politicians and gets annoyed when they come to him for help. This perhaps was the reason why he does not come to the office on a daily basis but instead transacts government business from one of his wives' residence located somewhere in Bodija, Ibadan.

This again perhaps explains the tactical withdrawal of Alhaji Ladoja who does not display any technical opposition at the time he was being impeached. Many people who had expected a last minute joker that will unbalance the legislators including the panel set up to probe him were shocked when they heard that Alhaji Ladoja had voluntarily packed out of the governor's office and his official residence at "Agodi" few weeks before he was pronounced impeached.

In Oyo State, it is a new era and indeed a new beginning. The truth is that there is absolute peace in the State; Governor Alao is being allowed to rule because that is the wish of God which by extension is the wish of the entire people of Oyo Sate.

In Anambra State where Governor Ngige is very popular, it has been difficult to remove him by any process. When Chris Uba, the god-father tried it, the people revolted against him. When Governor Ngige's security guards were withdrawn, the people stood as his guard and shield and chorused "No Shaking". Such is the reward of an accepted leader. This can only happen where a governor is admired and acknowledged.

Between Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and his former boss-Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja, the people of Oyo State knows the difference and have embraced who they prefer, it's that simple.

Little wonder that within a short period of his swearing-in as Oyo State governor, Alao-Akala has proved to be different and as such earned for himself a new nomenclature - "O Yato Governor"

Wherever he goes, they hail him and sing his praise all because they know he is capable and competent. Worker's salaries are paid as at when due.

Governor Akala identified the office of the first lady as a conduit pipe through which state resources are unjustifiably diverted and as such pronounced the office non-existing in his time thereby saying bye-bye to garbage.

As a corrective measure, Governor Akala ensured that justice was carried out in the case of an AD chairman who won the local government election in Ibarapa area but was deprived of presiding over the Local Government on the order of Ex-governor Ladoja who does not believe in opposition or what the court says about justice.

The famous Mapo Hall which remains the heritage of an average Ibadan indigene but which has suffered neglect in the hands of past governments headed by Ibadan sons is being made to wear a new look. Governor Akala ordered its renovation the very day he made an unscheduled visit to the "legacy Hall".

Now that the House of Assembly has passed the N60 billion budget the governor presented to it, the coast is now clear for wonders and miracles to start happening in Oyo State. Governor Akala has the magic wand to make things happen and from this moment; the people of Oyo State will have cause to thank God for the change in leadership.

Now that peace has returned to Oyo State, the people are happy at the turn of events. They have tasted two different soups and know which one tastes better. Glory be to God while praise goes to all indigenes and residents that made this peaceful coexistence possible.

With this singular act, the people of Oyo State have made a joint statement. What they told Nigerians is that they are now wiser and are no longer wild as previously tagged.

They have also sent a message to all that cares to know that political conflict are meant to be resolved without combat and that Oyo Sate is bigger than any individual.

Added to this message is an advice to those who may still be beating the war drum, insisting that it is fight to finish. The battle is over, the war is finished.

Political pundits who had thought the impeachment would ignite the repeat performance of what was known as "wild-wild west" in the 60s must by now see the reality of the pace setter status of the people of Oyo State. They know how to say no and do not need anybody's counsel to tell them when to say yes. To them, Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala is the man anointed by God to lead them to the promise land.

Governor Alao-Akala has thus brought government to the door step of the people of Oyo State with the commencement of a monthly radio and television programme called "Meet the Governor" (E Pade Gomina) where he will be giving account of his stewardship on a monthly basis. This will also allow the people of the State to ask questions and make demands. He believes he is not an encyclopedia of knowledge to govern Oyo State alone, he want everybody's contribution and advise inclusive of constructive criticisms. This is democracy in practice and action.

Left to Governor Alao- Akala, Oyo State must wear a new look, the people must have cause to smile and be happy, if good road, portable water, functional free health and education will put smile on their faces, whatever it will take to make all these a reality must be done without delay.

He is determined to succeed and have laid a solid foundation to erect an edifice that will be difficult to pull down.

With the swearing-in of a formidable team of Special Advisers and Honourable men and women as Commissioners, Governor Akala has further demonstrated that Oyo State is in his firm grip. He has put his trust in God and like he used to say, "God has no abandon project; he will never abandon this government"

Diran Odeyemi is a Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Communication and Strategy