The visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Osun State could have served as a platform for Ogbeni to lay bare all that is militating the state and to give the people’s general an opportunity to have an insight into the pebble in the shoes of the racing Osun people, but rather, self adulation, transforming the ugly Osun face into that of an old bride – an old bride looks very beautiful and irresistible on the wedding day but picks up the waned beauty in the days after- and celebration of mediocrity took toll in the build up to PMB’s visit.

Aregbesola, who rode in the back of the people of Osun to power on different occasions. Dealing with competitions from political big wigs like Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Iyiola Omisore, but for the purpose of this article, I refuse to delve into that political history. Aregbesola took a cue from one of late Obafemi Awolowo’s policies- it is pitiable that nothing done by this governor has an Awolowo undertone nor can be likened to. No, all are anti-Awolowo.

Many intellects, who are politically sensitive would say if Awolowo ever became this country’s president, Nigeria will not wallow in the cesspool of undeveloped countries. This assertion is not far from being realistic for during his reign as the premier of the western Region, he earmarked milestone and historical projects. The first television station, WNTV was established, Liberty Stadium, the first football pitch in Africa was established, Cocoa House among others were made under his tutelage. With an entreaty of peoples first, no politician in this part of the world boasts of Awolowo’s feat. Not even the unscrupulous Aregbesola, who nullified what Awolowo prioritises most in his lifetime. Certainly, Baba will be in regrets having a good mentee like Aregbesola- he made popular, the trend of half salary in Nigeria, which is against the Awo’s philosophy.

Major roads in Osun were largely visited with cries and uproars from the people as even the ones constructed and given the ‘Ona baba Ona’ appellation by Ogbeni, after few weeks of construction, posed many threats to the lives of its users. In fact, they have become death traps.

As if the people of the state mattered not to him, Ogbeni has been indifferent to all of these, including ‘AFUSA’ debacle despite promises and hopes that were raised before his election that hunger be gone in Osun if elected as the people’s first in Osun, but famine becomes of the state after toppled Oyinlola. However, the recent drama which played out a few weeks ago has afforded the critics of this administration some ammunition as Ogbeni embarked on a massive window dressing of Osun roads that were already reflecting ruin and decadence.

The frowns, grouse, actions and inactions of the people over this show of bigotry was enough as a proof that the people are no longer dogmatic and can no longer be veiled by Ogbeni theatrics and deceit. In fact, if the people’s expostulations over this mistreatment were spears, the entire country would have been killed by now. That is to explain the level of displeasure over what they called betrayal and deceit and hypocrisy.

Interestingly, a lot of questions are now being asked by the people of Osun that, if Ogbeni could afford the money to bring in truck loads of asphalt to clear path for his party man, then he doesn’t really care about those who actually made him- this is of course sheer diminution. And despite the efforts of the people to get the roads repaired before PMB’s visit.

Another question is, did Aregbe also get those monies from sukuk, which always serve as his fortress whenever he’s criticised financially or he also prepared for a rainy day this time? Even when he did not perceive the idea of inviting PMB until August, which some months before, Osun had zero allocation or is it from the O’ revenue that takes from the pockets of those who don’t get appropriate rewards for the job done- a non-existing economic system or do I say ‘Ogbenirism’.

The broken veil could still be repaired if the needful is done but I doubt if our rulers in Osun, superintended by Aregbesola, will fancy the pills I wish to recommend. For a smooth sailing in 2018 and for any intending APC governorship candidate in the state, please take charge of the state of Osun -even if it will be operated on a latent scale- some months before the election to start your spending ahead of time with prayers so that you emerge victorious.

Nonetheless, there are two sides to coin: the side facing up and the side facing below. As I have elected to take a whip at the most celebrated personality in the state, it is believed in some quarters that the tone needed to be set right in Osun over misinterpretation of Osun unwise spending on window dressing of its dilapidated facilities. They went to the extent of highlighting, evaluating and appraising the achievements of Ogbeni from the time he ascended the unscrupulous administration in the state.

In an article published in the Punch Newspaper on the 20th of September, 2016, Prof. Niyi Akinnaso, who intended to educate the mind and the body of the people of the state but pitiably ended up showering praises and accolades on Aregbesola. He vibrated with his mastery of the English Lingua excellently no doubt.

I wouldn’t meant to say that the personality and the versatility of the respectable professor cannot pass for the position of an All Progressives Congress’ spokesperson only that the most revered has, in most of his recent articles done the job of Semiu Okanlawon as well as Akere – the duo can just sleep even at work for they have been covered with the services of the professor. The person appointed and confirmed as the media aide to the governor of Osun state has not gone into extinction, which really keeps me wondering why somebody can just relieve him within a flash.

That is just by the way, when I saw the title, I anticipated a copious article that would be intended to correct public misconception of PMB’s visit to the state but as we always have it from the writer’s stable, Ogbeni was praised. It is considered to be inimical to the growth of any society when a section of it fans the ember of discord and cleavage. One must not forget the stance of Professor Wole on the attitude of keeping mum in the face of corruption.

In all, Osun is wrapped in albatross and there is no masking such fact that the state is faced with multifaceted shortcomings given how it has struggled to meet up with its financial obligations and it would be to the detriment of the people if an outsider, who mostly lived in another geo entity, comes out to start painting the people of the state in some enigmatic manner.

Now, Osun is in problem and the captain of the ship is to be held for sudden shipwreck of a well standing ship. No excuse as to why or how it happened should be condoned.

Mustapha Aleem wrote in from Osogbo via aleem_mustapha@yahoo.com.

For more, visit www.osun.life

Where is Johnnyessence abi is it johnny Bravo?

This mustapha want to naked ur demi-god in the market place oo?

Come and earn your pay

It is interesting how the writer has carefully stayed away from mentioning that Osun currently boasts of the best public educational infrastructure in the country for primary/secondary education. Interesting how he has tried to avoid talking about Aregbesola’s innovation in governance that has brought about policies like school feeding, and Opon-Imo which are now being copied far and wide. So much for being anti-Awolowo. Awolowo will be proud to see someone changing the face of public education like he always strived to.
This is another article of half-truths trying to belittle Aregbesola's achievements but the people are not blind, they see roads and bridges being built, they see schools being upgraded, they see a governor who cares for all, regardless of tribe or belief. That is the model of governance.