[REJOINDER] 2023: What Does Sen. Teslim Folarin Have To Offer? By TKF Media Resource Centre

For the writer of the above titled piece to take the time to pen it is commendable. It reveals a desire to ask pertinent question and get answers to them. It also reveals a love for Ibarapaland and a desire to come to a decision about what is best for the people.

However, it is obvious he needs to change his friends and acquaintances or at least expand his social and political circles because he obviously has not been asking the right people, if since over a year ago, the only answer he can get to the question of, “if not Makinde again, why Tessy?” is “Only Tessy can deal with Auxiliary.” There are more comprehensive and engaging answers to that question. Together, let’s look at them.

The good people of Oyo State in general and Ibarapaland in particular will not be electing Sen Teslim Kolawole Folarin to deal with Auxiliary. It is the job of security agents to do that. And they will do it because Sen Teslim Folarin will allow them to do it. He is promising zero tolerance to insecurity, especially the self-inflicted type, which is being endured right now as a result of the Chief Security Officer of the state turning blind eyes to the excesses of a known thug, having given him state recognition by gifting him with an appointment and entrusting him with political assignments mostly whenever strong arm tactics are needed to achieve political aims.

Which brings up the matter of Alubankudi and the show of force the writer observed. In a clime where peaceful citizens, who are doing nothing more than hold an election rally or party primaries, all within their constitutional rights, can be set upon with all kinds of weapons and he has to see to his own safety knowing in the event of coming to any harm, the power of incumbency may likely be used to shield his assailants and prevent him getting justice, a show of force might be necessary to discourage and prevent such assault. After all, prevention they say is better than cure! This is not the same as a man who despite having all the security apparatus of a state of the federation at his beck and call still finds it necessary to coddle and pamper a packaged thug, who he made a state actor, and granted more visibllity in his government than the elected Deputy Governor. More than that, he seems to have bestowed upon the packaged thug a portion of his immunity from law because despite the thug’s name being bandied about in a number of mayhem unleashed in the state, some where lives have been lost, he has not been questioned nor grilled over them. Not the same thing as a mere show of force by an individual proactive in ensuring his safety. Not by any stretch of the imagination. It is unfair to compare the two. Sen Teslim Folarin has promised to be more firm, more decisive in dealing with security challenges in the state and the situation in Ibarapa will be very much in focus.

So, if not Makinde again, why Tessy? Another answer. Sen Teslim Folarin’s administration of Oyo State will ensure a more equitable distribution of infrastructural development. The situation where Ibarapaland has no single state government executed project commissioned in three years of the present administration, will be a thing of the past. The present administration in Oyo State must go. No sincere son or daughter of Ibarapaland will want a continuation of the same. In the original writer’s own words, “because I knew Senator Teslim would be the major challenger to Governor Makinde in the 2023 general elections.” In that case, the support of the one person who can challenge the status quo and bring development back to Ibarapaland is an imperative. The answer: If not Makinde again, it’s Tessy!

It is sarcasm to ask, “how then is ‘dealing with Auxillary’ the only solution to the economic and security challenges facing this state?” The solution to the economic and security challenges of Oyo State will entail more than clipping the wings of a packaged thug. However, as long as Auxiliary personifies the prime mover of security lapses in the state, dealing with him will be part of the solution.

TKF Media Resource Centre
June 1st, 2022.