–Aide, Barr. AYO ADEKANMBI
Having worked closely with Governor Seyi Makinde, how would you describe his personality?
Nice and straight. He doesn’t talk too much. His answer is either, ‘yes or no’. He’s very friendly, he accommodates persons with disability at all times. I must say that he’s a nice person with a large heart. But, I want to tell you that with my working experience with him I can work anywhere else. I’m visually-impaired person but I can tell you categorically that I can describe him as a very nice and straight person.
But some say the governor is intolerant and highly- vindictive with a deceptive looks?
That is not true. I just mentioned it to you that he’s friendly. If me that is visually- impaired and could be sensitive to everything can tell you that he’s friendly. If you have lived with a visually impaired person you will know it is difficult to satisfy them because they suspect everything. I can tell you boldly that he’s friendly. He is not deceptive in anyway. His yes is yes and his no is no. He knows his onions. He knows what he wants. Those that are saying that don’t know him or probably don’t know what they are saying. Maybe, they expect to talk to him verbally and get approval. You don’t get approval verbally in government. You write. If you are not intelligent, brilliant and know what you are doing, you can’t just tell him what is not and expect him to take it hook, line and sinker. He’s not a puppet! He’s not somebody that you just go to, you must go to him fully prepared at all times. You must know the right answers. He likes somebody who is very intelligent and brilliant. Because he himself is an intelligent man. Many of my friends always wonder how I get approvals for projects. He just approved our World Disability Day. He has approved a reasonable amount of money for us to have our Disability Day. He has been like that. Meanwhile, other governors don’t care about persons with disability. All he wants is for you to categorically and convincingly tell him what you need and why do you need it.
Apart from all these things you said Governor Makinde has done for the persons with disability, why do you think he should be re-elected come 2023?
Well, I have been telling you reasons why he should be re-elected on my own path. As a person with disability, my reason is not far-fetched. The major reason is for my people to benefit more. We are having our agency, if they bring somebody who is not disability-friendly, how do we achieve that? Look at the appointments that have been given to persons with disability! They have families and the families have neglected most of them. Now, those families will realize the fact that they are somebody too.
You are kind of sounding selfish now because Oyo State is not only for persons with disability?
No. I’m talking on my own. This is my area. As for me, it’s for my people to benefit more. If he comes, and he will come back by God’s grace. Persons with disability will benefit more because of his friendly approach and policies towards persons with disability. How many states have given 35 appointments to persons with disability? He has given hope to these people. Those of our people that are out there will be coming up too and join the campaign because they know that their interest will be well represented when Governor Makinde is re-elected for a second term. Politics is all about interest. Our own interest is that we have been enjoying. It is different and unprecedented. We have never had it this good before.
What do you think is the major selling point of his administration that he will be banking on come 2023?
He pays salaries and wages as at when due. That is one. Our senior citizens that have worked for government, I mean the pensioners now take their money at the appropriate time. What about 5000 teachers that he has employed to schools in Oyo State? I can’t see but people tell me that in the night there is now lights everywhere like we have in London or any developed country. What about his economic policies that have been working for us? Civil Servants can now take loans from banks because they know by the 25th of the month, it is GSM day and they get their money back. It is steady and reliable. So Governor Seyi Makinde’s major selling points are in the areas of improvement on our economy, education, agriculture. I can go on and on.
