KWARA STATE: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW — PART 2
Below is the continuation of the analysis of YESTERDAY in the politics and governance of Kwara State. When we finish with the issues relating to Yesterday, we shall examine TODAY and then we go to TOMORROW.
Explanation of Yesterday
Last week we wrote part 1 of KWARA STATE OF YESTERDAY. I have explained that the yesterday of our concern is from 1999-2019. That was the time the Saraki dynasty held sway in the political life of Kwara State. For those that do not properly understand us the three governors between 1999-2019: Governors Lawal, Bukola and Fatah were the creation of the Saraki dynasty. Their period is categorized as yesterday.
Kwara Allocation Yesterday
Last week we treated the issue of total statutory allocations of the twenty years of the dynasty and how unfairly it was deployed especially to the South senatorial district of Kwara State.
Today we shall continue with the analysis of yesterday by treating some germane issues like recruitment into the civil service, promotions and intra-services transfer, establishment of Kwara State University, and Local government administration.
Civil Service
Yesterday, recruitment, promotion and inter-service transfer was based on where you came from and your relationship with those in the actual authority. Merit and experience counted for nothing and well connected juniors suddenly became bosses of their superiors. The situation in the service of yesterday was frustrating and divisive. In 2011 there were 263 senior administrative officers in the civil service, out of this the South had 66, North 69 and the Central 118. Those who did this, if they must govern again need to explain why this was so. They also need to explain why there was accumulated unpaid gratuities and pensions.
KWASU Establishment
Kwara State University Malete was established in 2009 as a multi-campus system University: Malete, Ilesa-Baruba and Osi. For ten years of the establishment of the University and the people of yesterday were in power; the Southern Campus of Osi did not take off. Compare this to Osun State University that took off in 2008 in six campuses of Osogbo, Okuku, Ikire, Ipetu Ijesa, Ejigbo and Ifetedo at the same time. The people of yesterday treated us as nonentity compared to a place where people are treated with equity, fairness and justice. If they must govern again, we should demand for explanation on this.
LGA Operations
When the people of yesterday were in power, below are the statutory allocations for each of the seven Local Government Areas of the South:
Ekiti — 4,801,988,745.95
Ifelodun — 10,250,017,640.40
Irepodun — 7,040,196,400.58
Isin — 5,732,552,180.11
Offa — 6,091,006,358.42
Oke-Ero — 4,989,032,455.15
Oyun — 5,742,051,645.00
When added up, the the monthly statutory allocation to the seven Local Government Councils of the South yesterday was over 45 billion Naira. But that was a time our councils witnessed acute rural underdevelopment. Salaries of workers could not be paid, local contractors had no work to do, civil servants were idle and government offices were empty. Development we could not see and money allocated unaccounted for. It was a time the democracy was not allowed in our councils through fraudulent elections. If they must come back, men of yesterday owe us explanations.
Purpose of This
Examination of the past provides opportunities for us to interrogate the office seekers about their service of the past to know if they are qualified for our votes in 2027 or not.
AKOGUN IYIOLA OYEDEPO
Reactions are welcome. Let us discuss with facts and respect.
Akogun, O yàtọ̀.