The news all over town, is the decision of the Oyo State Government to rebuild the demolished Music House of popular Musician, Yinka Ayefele. This came about, after a reconciliation meeting spear-headed by notable, influential citizens of Oyo State and the pictures of the meeting is all over the social media.

While it seems a good gesture from the Oyo State Government, it leaves more questions to be asked about the rational behind the demolition in the first place and more questions about the rebuilding to be done.

1. Is this rebuilding a face-saving measure by the State Government from the heavy backlash of the public?
2. If it is a face-saving measure, is there no other route to take other than rebuilding it?
3. If its going to be rebuilt, is it on the same spot where it had allegedly infracted on the State’s Building Laws?
4. At what and whose cost would it be rebuilt? Taxpayers? Or the Governor’s private purse?
5. Does this privilege of rebuilding apply to others, who fell foul of the State Building Laws and their properties demolished as well? Or those affected by the road expansion been done the Oyo State Government?
6. Is this expenditure to rebuild, captured in the State Budget for 2018 or would it be included in the 2019 budget?
7. Why does the State Government want to rebuild after claiming it infracted on the building laws, is it no more infracting?

The Oyo State Government needs to provide answers to these questions. We cannot afford to seat back and watch a telenovela of kiss and make up that has been done between Ajumobi and Ayefele. While that is commendable, we cannot allow an act of executive lawlessness go unquestioned under a wave of compromise.

We have a responsibility has citizens, to hold our representatives accountable for their actions, and call them to question when there is the need for it. We cannot afford to seat and fold our hands, and believe all is well with what the media is showing us. We should be able to probe, dig, question and support every action taken by our representatives. We cannot afford to seat on the back bench any longer, neither must we seat on the fence. We need to be involved in governance in our different localities,making our contribution and impact to the positive growth of the society.

Away with some people sitting in one back office taking the decisions on behalf of the majority. Every man’s voice needs to be heard and every man has a responsibility for his neighbour and community. Kiss and make up, does not solve the problem of a reoccurring clash between husband and wife. They need to seat down and address the fundamental issues that are at stake and what is wrong addressed thoroughly. Lynette Wallworth a filmmaker said, “If we don’t care about something, we don’t feel the need to act.” Things will continue to deteriorate in a situation when everyone feels they can’t be bothered. Good governance in Nigeria is not the prerogative of the “leaders” but of us! We must wake up from our slumber, and grab the wheels of good governance in this nation and collectively steer us aright!!

Bob Marley, aptly captures it in Redemption Song;

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh
Some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfill the Book

Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
‘Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs

Until we are ready to emancipate ourselves from the mental shackle of “God will help us and our leaders” and realize that we have what it takes to liberate ourselves from the bondage of executive lawlessness, legislative rascality and judicial abandonment, we cannot sing a song of redemption for our dear country. And according to Maurice Levy, “The beauty in this world is that everyone can change it!” We all can change our nation if we put our back to the task!!!!!

Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: ‘Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path?’ If you don’t ask those questions, your governance will not be good – Pope Francis