ISSUES & POLICY: Facing The Future

The choice of Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as the next governor of the state by the electorate is inspired choice. It ensures that a seasoned technocrat will pilot the deepening of a well thought out program which has driven positive change for the benefit of the majority. Starting on a good foot, Oyetola has already sensibly pointed out that the emphasis will be on participation and inclusiveness. This is important. He however needs the tools to achieve his objectives.

In a democracy, this means obtaining a majority in the legislature. The projections done by this newspaper in last week’s edition indicates a clear majority in the state of Osun house of assembly for the All Progressive Congress (APC). From our data driven projection, the APC is on course to obtain eighteen out of the twenty five seats, a comfortable majority. There should however be no complacency or a false sense of security. A harmonious relationship with the legislature is important, this is why all encumbering discords arising out of the primaries must be set aside. A united party must go into the next election with the aim of giving President Buhari a big win in the state in the presidential election and empowering Alhaji Oyetola with a solid legislative majority to pilot the continuity agenda.

For this reason, everyone must put the party above personal interests and factional agendas. The election has been won and lost. It is not so much in our character to quickly accept defeats giving the judiciary and legal practitioners some jobs to do, a situation where the latter smile to the bank case won or lost. But any discerning member of the public knows that Oyetola is right man for the job. This is where we urge all patriotic citizens to put partisan aside and support this continuity government which has proven to be a government for all irrespective of party loyalty. This call is not about the APC or the coming governor, but about Osun in general. We all have a stake in it not to allow the ship to sink. If we do, we will all be affected and have ourselves to blame. The future beckons.