Between an Old GAARIT and the New GARDENS (Part 2)

Fellow Kwarans, last week I penned an article on Governor Abdulrasaq Abdulrahamon’s mega projects, sharing my candid views on the governor’s giant strides and projects that have transformed the face of our state capital.

In that article, I commended the governor for his remarkable achievements in infrastructural development, acknowledging that only those blinded by bias or ignorance would deny the significant progress made.

However, I also raised a critical alarm about the lack of transparency and accountability in the execution of these projects, emphasizing the dangers of unaccounted taxpayer money and the importance of citizen engagement.

As a concerned citizen of Kwara State, anti-corruption crusader, and human rights activist, Author and Public policy Analyst I have been diligently tracking projects since 2017. Through my organization, I have successfully tracked over 2,500 constituency projects and capital projects of the federal government, as well as over 60 state government projects.My unwavering commitment to transparency has led me to appear before the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS to defend petitions against federal and state government officials accused of diverting or mismanaging public funds more than fourty times or let me say uncountable times.

I have also collaborated with ICPC to identify diverted projects in Kwara State, serving as a focal person between my organization and anti-corruption agencies.This experience has given me a deep understanding of the importance of transparency in project execution and the devastating implications of corruption.

The Gaarideen, blind supporters of the governor, responded viciously to my article, verbally attacking me and questioning my credibility as a human rights activist and weekly political writer.Their vitriolic response only serves to underscore the dangers of sycophancy and the importance of speaking truth to power.

In contrast, the Gaarit, individuals with conscience who dare to speak the truth are my friends in government we relates time to time,are the true heroes of our time.These courageous individuals, who can be found within the government and outside of it, are willing to risk everything to expose the truth, even if it means losing their jobs.

I am proud to count myself among them, and I will continue to speak truth to power, no matter the cost.As I always say, “The position you hold today will eventually come to an end, but your conscience will remain with you forever.”

I will continue to write and speak the truth, unencumbered by the fear of reprisal or the lure of political favors.For I know that the only way to create a better future for ourselves and our children is to confront the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

Why Won’t I Speak Truth to Power?

As someone who hasn’t lobbied the government for favors or appointments, I’m baffled by accusations of being an antagonist. Even when I launched my books, I initially hesitated to invite the governor, but was persuaded by others.Ironically, those same people now claim I shouldn’t be honored.

Tracking government projects, dragging officials to court, and testifying as a witness – these actions shouldn’t brand me an enemy of the government. Instead, a sincere government need to partner with individuals that promote transparency and accountability.

It’s interesting that foreign governments collaborate with civil society organizations for transparency, yet in Kwara State, and even at the federal level, my efforts are met with resistance.

When I launched my second book on legislative effectiveness, not a single member of the Kwara State House of Assembly honored my invitation. Even my long-time friend or let me say sister whom I affectionately call “Aburo,” Yes she’s my “Aburo”distanced herself.

Why can’t they see that good governance advocacy is a friendly gesture, not an adversarial act?One good lesson my parents taught me is that hard work is the only assurance of reward, and I’ve lived by those principles.

As I always say, “Mi o kigbe saramikoja masalasi” meaning I don’t overstep my boundaries. Those who know me can attest to this. Since 2006, I’ve been writing articles for National Moonlight Newspaper, and I’m grateful that the founder, Alhaji Toyin Olokoba, is still alive.

He gave me the platform to write freely, without censorship, and my readers can attest to my unwavering commitment to truth. So, to the Gaarideen and Gaarit, I say. no amount of backlash will silence me. I’ll continue to speak truth to power, and respond to every reaction, with titles and names that follow.

As a man of unwavering principle, I’ve always adhered to a simple yet powerful philosophy. I never overstep my boundaries. My unshakeable faith in hard work has been my guiding force, and I firmly believe that the only assurance of success is the reward of one’s own labor, as the Yoruba proverb aptly puts it. “Atelewo eni okitenije” meaning all you can be sure of is a reward from your handwork.

This conviction has emboldened me to speak truth to power, undeterred by the praise singers who thrive on replying to politicians. While they may continue to lavish praise on the government, I will remain steadfast in my commitment to speaking the truth.

Whenever the Gaarideen react to my articles, I will respond accordingly, for I know that the governor appreciates honesty. My three encounters with him have testified to this fact. He abhors betrayal and values sincerity.

Interestingly, my attackers have failed to acknowledge my recognition of the governor’s efforts in infrastructural development. Instead, they take issue with my call for transparency and accountability, insisting that I should not have dared to speak truth to power.

As an advocate for transparency and accountability, I’ve authored three books, with two focusing specifically on these themes. “My Random Thoughts” serves as a wake-up call for the 10th Kwara State House of Assembly, while “The Voice of Change” emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, drawing lessons from Nigeria’s August protests.

Having delved deeply into these subjects, I firmly believe that my calls for transparency in Governor Abdulrasaq Abdulrahamon’s administration are not intended to undermine his government, but rather to empower it to succeed. As Barack Obama aptly put it, “patriotism is not when you’re against your commander-in-chief, patriotism is when you support your commander-in-chief to deliver, even when you don’t align with him”.

It’s crucial to recognize that patriotism isn’t solely about praising the government; it’s about constructively criticizing and supporting it to achieve its goals. I refuse to be a “gulegule” activist, blindly praising politicians without holding them accountable. Instead, I’ll continue to advocate for transparency and accountability, even if it means challenging the status quo.

But I remain resolute, for I know that true power comes from God Almighty, not from mortal men. Let us strive to speak truth to those in government, for it is only through transparency and accountability that we can build a better future for ourselves and generations to come.

Kwara Onibaje ooooo