We will make it difficult for godfathers, Makinde vows

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed that he will make it difficult for godfathers to take over the state irrespective of the strategies they deploy ahead of the general elections.

He also stated he has always been in constant communication with his predecessor in relations to some of the past administrations policies in the overall interest and benefit of the people of the state.

Makinde spoke on Monday while playing host to a delegation from Foursquare Gospel Church, which paid him a courtesy call in his office.

He stated that the absence of the so-called godfathers have made his administration have a smooth sail without any interference from any quarter.

The visitors were led by the Outgoing-General Overseer, Rev Felix Meduoye, who was accompanied by the General Overseer-Elect, Rev Sam Aboyeji and his wife as well as other principal officers of the church to introduce the new leader to the Governor and his cabinet.

While congratulating the church on the successful election that brought about the new leadership, Makinde said politicians and the electoral body have something to learn from the visitors on peaceful conduct of the election and smooth transition.

He said “I am also glad to note that the General Overseer and the General Overseer-Elect are together and that you actually held an election.

“You didn’t impose your successor and you allowed a free and fair process, I believe our own INEC probably have one of two things to learn.

“And also when I was elected and became Governor-Elect of the state, I actually reached out to the Governor on the seat at the time and I told him that if it was all about the development of Oyo state, we must share the vision.

“Even now, we still try to reach out to them (past administration) to say that some of the policies that they put in place were really good, some we need to thinker with and some were outright anti-people.

“But, if we don’t talk, we may not know some of the thought processes that went behind some of those policies.

“So I am glad about what I am seeing. I do hope that the politicians will learn some things that if the goal is the same, it doesn’t matter who is there or who God has chosen because I know that I wouldn’t have been sitting on this seat if not for God because I said to people that at least it is the first time in this state, that I know, I don’t know about any other state, where somebody is elected with no godfather except God the father.

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“And that is why it is easier for us to run a government that is very simple.

“We don’t have any complications and that is why we have been managing things without any external interference. It’s one of the positive outcomes and we are only relying on God the father.

“So, the godfathers are probably in their shells now trying to strategise to come out again but we now that we will make it difficult for them.”

Meduoye recounted the Governor’s visit to the church camp site for its convention prior to the election, noting that the prayers for the Governor at the convention were fruitful.

He stated that the church considered it necessary to introduce the GO-elect to important people in different locations as a way of getting him ready for the task ahead.

Aboyeji, who is the fifth indigenous leader of the church, was elected on July 20.

He will be inaugurated on November 17.

He expressed happiness at the reception, adding that the church is setting the pace for others, especially in the areas of a smooth transition.