When the strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu died last year, the fear of every resident of the ancient city of Ibadan was: what happens to thousands of hangers-on and social miscreants that converged on his house everyday for their daily meals and other needs?






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The fear was further stressed at the eight day fidau prayer for the deceased politician when the invited Islamic cleric and Kano-based fiery preacher, Sheik Muideen Bello, openly told Ibadan elite at the event to expect a difficult time ahead in terms of armed robberies, burglaries and other crimes from the miscreants left behind by Adedibu.


Bello’s statement did not go in vain. For the past one year, Oyo State has not known peace. Incidences of armed robbery attacks, burglaries, rape, and until recently, kidnapping, have been on a geometric progression.


The men of the underworld have tasked the energy and professional competence of the state police command more than any time before. Although, there were some breakthroughs by the security personnel, it was evident that the command has never had it so worse.

To the residents, the prophecy of Sheik Bello has come to pass. To them, most of the crimes committed were perpetrated by the Adedibu’s boys or their cronies.


But the Chairman, House Committee on Security in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Afeez Jimoh, would never tow that line of thought. He absolved Adedibu’s supporters of any involvement in criminal activities in the state, especially armed robbery.


In an exclusive interview with Daily Sun in Ibadan, the lawmaker rather pointed accusing fingers at Lagos State Government and the development of security network by Governor Babatunde Fashola-led administration in the state.


“I want to disagree with the view that most people that were seen in Adedibu’s house must have resorted into armed robbery after his demise. No. Most of the people you see in Adedibu’s house are politicians and this government has made sure that most of them are engaged in one way or the other; most of them now earn their living.


“It is not because Baba has died that you don’t see them in Molete again, it is because most of them has been involved at the state and local government levels in one way or the other. So, I want to disagree with the view that they are the ones that are involved in robberies.


“What is causing the increase in robbery incidents in the state is the issue of Lagos State and the economic meltdown that is happening all over the world. It is not just about Nigeria. Even those people that are working still find it very hard to live within their means. So, those are the main causes”, he stated.

Hon Jimoh admitted that the efforts of Lagos State government in security network has yielded result, saying that informed the decision of his to visit the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta, on the expectation of the people of Oyo State from him.


“Due to the efforts of Lagos State on security, which is now forcing most criminals in Lagos to relocate to neighbouring states, like Oyo State, due to its closeness to Lagos State, we also need to review the security of our state and also be on our toes.


“We don’t want Oyo State to be the new hideout for criminals. From the look of things and despite his newness in the state, the police commissioner is performing. So, we need to encourage him to do better than he is doing”, he stated.


The lawmaker explained that his committee was also looking at the possibility of borrowing a leaf from the initiative of Lagos State Government as regard Public-Private Partnership in security network.

According to him, his committee would soon propose a motion on the need for a Police Trust Fund for the state, which would be exclusively devoted to the security needs of the state and its people.

“We too are looking at it from that angle. We want to suggest to the Executive that we should have a trust fund for the security of the state that would be funded majorly by the government in collaboration with private companies and banking institutions in the state.


“All those corporate companies that are really in need of security will contribute to the trust fund, so that we can always dip our hands into the fund whenever we have something to do with security. Not just to be used by police alone but for all the security outfits in the state. Very soon, something will emanate from the House to the Executive”, Hon Jimoh.


The lawmaker also declared that violence, which has been a permanent feature of every election conducted in the state, would no longer rear its head because of new realities in the political circle.

In his view, the decentralization of politics, the political reform embarked upon by the federal government as well as the new awareness from the electorate would spell doom for any politician who still believes in using violence to get votes.


“The way politics is now, everything is decentralized. With what the federal government is doing in reforming the electoral processes, with that every politician now know that you have to earn the confidence of your people before you can get to a political position.

“So, people now know better that it is not violence that can get you into position but the ability to be popular among your people. I know that politicians are waking up to that reality and I believe that is going to help the conduct of future elections in the country and the emergence of political office holders”, he added.



http://odili.net/news/source/2009/jun/12/516.html

Trying to shift the blame on someone else.

Let Ibadan do what Lagos did and begin a crackdown on crime.

10 years ago Lagos was ridiculous, at least now one can take a stroll through the city without fear of death.

Oyo State politicians should know that there is more to governance than just sharing of money. Serious minded people would have taken the preacher's warning seriously and avoid the siege the state is currently going through.