PDP, Always a noisy lot – By Kunle Oyatomi
By Barr Kunle Oyatomi
In his world-famous book, How to be a Nigerian, the remarkable journalist and publisher, Peter Enahoro(Peter Pan) writes: ‘’In the beginning, God created the universe; then He created the moon, the stars and the wild beasts of the forests. On the sixth day, He created the Nigerian and there was peace. But on the seventh day while God rested, the Nigerian invented noise.’’
Now more than five decades after the publication of this ironic and humorous work, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Osun is proving that it is responsible for the grand classification of the Nigerian, notably the political component, as both the patent owner and practitioner of noise. Otherwise why would such a harmless and apolitical move by Governor Gboyega Oyetola to address the security situation in the State of Osun attract the brouhaha PDP is giving it?
The governor, after due and widespread consultations with the stakeholders to tackle insecurity on a long-term basis, appoints Amitolu Shittu as the Director General of Amotekun, the well-received southwest security outfit. The decision takes into consideration Shittu’s sterling antecedents as a chieftain of the Police Community Relations Committee, a popular body that sees to the joint policing of the society.
Thus the governor has hardly been swayed by partisan influence, even if Amitolu, as claimed by the opposition, is a lord of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. But the point is that in exercising his powers as vested in him by the Nigerian Constitution, the governor looks for the best hand, even as he undertakes a comprehensive search and consults widely.
He needs this diligent probe because that is his core work as the holder of the sacred mandate of the people who put him in office. That is what the Constitution says in Chapter 2, Section 14, 2(b): ‘’the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’’. All else in governance and administration is secondary.
Governor Oyetola has been faithful to this solemn charge, leaving no stone unturned to rise to the occasion to honour a statutory task. It is a sacred responsibility. Shirking it is an impeachable offence. Responsible and serious leaders worldwide pursue this goal religiously.
Therefore, we must salute Oyetola for being alive to his constitutional duties. Right thinking citizens of Osun who are aware that there must be peace before other aspects of human activity, can join hands with the APC administration in the state to improve the security situation.
This isn’t the time to allow noise makers to drown our noble efforts, in building a new State of Osun.
