Honourable Durojaye Isaac (SIKOMOLE) is the former Ife-East Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Osun State. He is a chieftain of the Party in the state. In this interview with Jeleel Olawale, he speaks on the Executive Orders issued by the Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke at his inauguration. The PDP stalwart also speaks on myriad of issues in the state People’s Democratic Party. Excerpts:
Is there still faction in the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP)?
There is no faction in the state PDP again. All members are now one. The inauguration of the Governor Ademola Adeleke signalled the end of faction in the state chapter of the party. All PDP members attended inauguration of the governor.
No more faction, the party is now an indivisible family. There was a meeting held where all party leaders attended, such as: Alhaji Suhaib Oyedokun, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Erelu Olusola Obada, Prof. Wale Ladipo among other party leaders.
How will you describe the executive orders issued by the governor which has been generating crisis in the state?
The executive orders issued by the governor is in order. It is meant to put things in right perspective and focus. The state was created as Osun State not State of Osun by the founding fathers but former Governor Rauf Aregbesola came and changed it to State of Osun which is not recognized by the constitution of the land.
There is nothing wrong to revert to the original name ‘Osun State’ known with the state. The reversal may not go down well with the former APC administration but it is intended to give the present administration a good shape.
There was crisis over some traditional rulers installed by the Oyetola’s administration and in order to stop unforeseen crises, the governor felt there is need to review these appointments and policies.
The leadership of the PDP in the state had challenged the conduct of the local government election in court and the former APC government went ahead to conduct the poll which was later nullified by the Federal High Court, Osogbo.
The actions taken by the governor in reversing all these controversial policies, appointments, promotions, among others, are in order and in line with the law.
The Governor is a listening person. He will do justice to reports of various committees set up to look into these issues and do what is the best for the state to move forward.
The Executive Orders issued by the Governor is not targeted at anybody but intended to put things in right perspective. This should not cause crisis in the state. Some of the last minute policies of the Oyetola’s government were met to cripple the present government financially.
Do you think the five-point agenda of the Governor is achievable, considering the resources of the state?
The five-point agenda is achievable because the Governor has the blueprint of how to pull resources together to achieve this agenda. He is experienced in terms of financial management and resources in public and private sectors.
Some of the five points programme of the present government are welfare of workers and pensioners, boosting the state’s economy, home-grown infrastructure policy, people-focused policy on education, health care, security social welfare and agro-based industrialisation for wealth and job creation.
It is pathetic to see Osun State at the bottom of the national educational ratings especially in public primary and secondary schools examinations. There will be reform which will focus on improvement of learning environment and outcome, and this will reverse the poor performance of students in public examinations.
The immediate past Oyetola’s administration also reversed some bad policies of Aregbesola’s administration on education with a view to revamp the sector for better performance. So, we want the state to return to second or third position in external examinations performance index.
The government will boost wealth creation, job opportunities and food security through innovative agricultural reforms covering all the agricultural value chains. It will also target the tourism sector to boost the state GDP and create new jobs.
The government will give attention to improvement of the Primary Health care services. It will improve the working conditions of health workers and expand the coverage of the state health insurance scheme.
Adeleke’s government will embark on a security sector reform that will target crime prevention, detection, neighbourhood policing and better synergy among security agencies.
What are we to expect in constituting the state executive members that will work with the Governor?
The present PDP government in the state will appoint experts and professionals who have been tested and trusted into various offices. I believe the Governor will be patient in the appointment with a view to search for technocrats that will help in the actualisation of his five-point agenda.
PDP has learnt from the experiences of the past. The first appointment made by the governor is perfect by appointing Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as the secretary to the state government, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, Chief of Staff and Mallam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the governor. The Osun people are happy with the new government.
Why did G-5 governors refuse to attend Adeleke’s inauguration as a new PDP governor?
It is a political matter which will be resolved soon. Senator Ademola Adeleke has no issue with them. We are working as one family and there is no need to be panicking. PDP knows how to resolve issue because it is a family affair. So, the party is on top of the situation.
Your advice for the people of Osun State?
I want to urge Osun people to support the new PDP government as they had done for the past administrations. They should be prayerful, to have peaceful administration in the state. The youths should shun all acts of violence and ensure that their future is important to them.