By Muftau Gbadegesin

There’s a growing pattern in Makinde’s public conduct that should worry us all. He has been caught lying under oath, publicly and recklessly. I will cite three examples. First has to do with Mukaila Lamidi aka Auxiliary.

Throughout his eight years in office, late Abiola Ajimobi ensured that the notorious NURTW gangster cooled his feet where he belonged: in the prison cell. But he wasn’t politically witch-hunted or persecuted unjustly. He was granted a fair hearing before conviction.

Despite the public records of that ex-convict, Makinde brought back Auxiliary to terrorized innocent civilians. Many were even feared dead while most have tales of harrowing stories to tell about their encounter with Baba Rili. In the 2023 gubernatorial debate, Makinde described Auxiliary as the best man for the PMS job. Guess where Auxiliary is today?

When a section of Bodija went up in flames as a result of explosion that claimed lives and destroyed properties; Makinde was provided with extra budgetary support. You and I know what he did with those billions of Naira. When called out by Ayo Fayose, Makinde did not only deny all allegations but called for evidence. Then the receipt of the money was presented to the public. The story changed and Makinde became a lying machine.

The last of Makinde’s public (mis)conduct is the amended Oyo State Obas and Chieftaincy law. On the inauguration of the council, Makinde claimed to have carried the Alaafin of Oyo along in the process leading to the amendment. In hours that followed that public declaration, the media office of the Alaafin of Oyo not only denied the claim but refuted it in strongest terms.

It appears that anytime Mr. Makinde made weighty allegations or appear to be playing the ostrich, I reckon that he has more to hide from the public.

For years, any observant member of the public knows that the atrocities of bandits and terrorists in Kwara State are direct threats to Oyo State. No doubt about that.  Then the May 15 incident happened. It happened in the most vulnerable region of the state. Makinde’s initial response was to politicize the safety of the victims. He tried to play the Jonathan card after the Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

Throughout all of Makinde’s conduct in that unfortunate Orire abduction, he never shied from taking the most convenient position: absolving himself of any responsibility. Again, Oyo State is unfortunate to have a reactive man as the governor at this material time.