Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Thursday said he did not pray to become governor in 2019, saying he only emphasised that the will of God should be done in the State.
Makinde stated this while receiving members of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) from the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
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The governor, who promised to review the process of recent sack of members of the association, said his administration will continue to run an open government with a view to carrying all and sundry along.
He also promised to look into lingering issues between BCOS and FIBAN members within the next four weeks.
Makinde said: “When I was praying towards the 2019 election, I did not pray to become the governor, I was only emphasising that the will of God be done in Oyo State. So, I know for a fact that if it is the will of God, He would bring those that would make His will to be done, and one of them is Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
“I am just hearing about all your complaints for the first time. If I had known this is what we would be discussing, I would have contacted Prince Dotun Oyelade to come join us in this meeting. I want to repeat that I don’t know it all. We make mistakes as humans, only God cannot make mistakes.
“I have seen that most times in politics, it is someone that will work while another person will enjoy the labour of another person. And I have always said that no other person will enjoy the labour of another person under my watch. That is why I apologised sincerely, because you cannot suffer to install this government and you will eventually get something negative at the end of the day.
“So, I promise we will do the needful where necessary. And all the requests you have tendered will be addressed.”
Makinde also stated that his plan to govern the state is borne out of his desire to make life better for everyone in the state, adding that his ambition to become governor is like a calling.
He added that the essence of government is to take the dividends of democracy to the door steps of everyone.
Commenting further on the lingering issue between FIBAN and BCOS, the governor said: “Within the next week and a half, we will take certain steps to get to the bottom of the issue that cropped up in BCOS.
“And moving forward, I don’t want a situation whereby people will be saying I became non-accessible since I got to this position. And that is why I did not even change my phone number and I did not add another number. I believe that most of the things you requested will be looked into logically. And I want to assure you that we will do most of them before the end of this tenure.
“I believe that position, power will come and go. So, the government I am running is for everyone. It is a government that even when it ends, one should still be able to do what God has sent one to do to affect society positively. Despite some constraints in governance, we still need to look inwards to see the things that are important to us and make sure we get them done.
“So, I want to thank the FIBAN, the leaders, the executives and everyone because you have said some certain things the way they are supposed to be said. The commissioner said 4+4, meaning two tenures but I want to say, let the will of God be done.
“I want progress for Oyo State. I want God to guide me to govern the people of the state. Power is transient and what is important is the legacy we are leaving behind.”
