Who is Afraid of Amosun ? ‎

Sir: Ever since the attentive world rose to its feet to applaud Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s virtuoso performance in six years in office, the dogs of war seem to have been let loose and they are baying for his innocent blood. Amosun, his beautiful wife and members of his cabinet have become the punching bag of miscreants on social media whose mercantile instincts mark out as cannon fodder in the hands of aggrieved and out-of-favour politicians.

Every day, they concoct lies and tasteless falsehoods to nibble away at his soaring popularity among the long suffering people of Ogun State who are beginning to finally see that indeed, Ogun can be better. From all indications, the mission of the people who are sponsoring the endless calumny campaign against Amosun, his wife and members of his cabinet on social media is quite simple – to distract him from actualising his dream of a new and better Ogun State and whittle down his rising profile as a promising leader of Egba.

They figured that with his squeaky clean technocratic background and soar away performance in over six years in office, he would dwarf so many wanna-be leaders if no muck was cast on him sooner than later. But what in concrete terms has Amosun done to earn their fear? Close observers of Amosun’s over six year’s administration can attest to the fact that for the first time in a long while, Ogun State is witnessing a structured approach to governance.

Amosun’s philosophy of governance is inclusive and open one which attracts everybody. Bringing his years in the commanding height of the private sector to bear on governance, Amosun had outlined his vision and mission in the government house from the outset. Right from the election campaign days, years back I may say, Amosun had told Ogun indigenes that his vision was for the State to become the 1st Choice Investment Destination and a hub for industrialisation and commercial activities while his mission was to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that will attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth creating opportunities in the state. So, he knew where he was going and how to get there.

Again, it may not be certain but it would seem that Amosun is probably the first governor of Ogun State to articulate a vision and mission statement that would guide him in office. At the moment, Amosun has done a good job of keeping his eyes on the prize. And that is why they are talking…..Again, in full appreciation of the security nightmare that had bedeviled Ogun State through the years, Amosun had divined that his leadership goals had no chance in hell if he failed to tackle the security challenges in the state.

So, he went after the kidnappers, armed robbers, public/street harlots, social miscreants and secret cultists who had made Ogun State inhabitable with a figurative sharp knife. And what exactly did he do? Quite simple – he spent the Security Votes on providing security for the state; something that some past leaders either kept for themselves or shared with their godfathers.

The people have seen a consummate consensus builder who truly loves his people. And that is why they are talking…..The final reason why they won’t stop talking of Amosun is because they had told people that Abeokuta and other towns in the state were beyond redemption; that Abeokuta indigenes were anti-progress and had always stood in the way of plans to turn the town into a befitting capital of Nigeria’s most distinctive state. But now that four to five flyovers bridges, including overhead bridges are springing up at the same time and changing the landscape of Nigeria’s most rustic state capital, they have come out talking, kicking and punching.

Ademola Orunbon, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Federal Housing Estate, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State.