Mosque Commissioning: Rejoinder to PDP’s Pedestrian Criticism Against VP Shettima | By Barr AbdulWaheed Lawal

Rejoinder to PDP Uncharitable and Pedestrian Criticism Against the Vice President Shettima for Commissioning Mosque.

The Oyo State PDP’s criticism of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima’s (GCON) commissioning of the Ibapon Central Mosque, Ogbomoso, on Friday, November 8, 2024, is not only mischievous but also unfortunate, uncharitable, and misguided. 

It’s crucial to point out that the Ibapon Central Mosque, Ogbomoso, was built by Senator Abdul Fatai Buhari (PhD) not with public funds. 

For record purposes and for the sake of clarification, the Vice President Senator Shettima’s presence, which was highly appreciated by Senator Buhari, the Ogbomoso Community, and the entire Muslim Community of Oyo, wasn’t touted as the commissioning of a federal government project. By condemning this spiritually rewarding project, the PDP implicitly criticises their own government’s representation at the event, which is self-indicting, self-defeating contradiction, and attention-seeking. 

If the State Governor could be fully represented by half of the State Executive Council ably led by His Excellency, Barr. Bayo Lawal, the Deputy Governor of the State, and the majority of PDP state and local government executives, the PDP lacks the moral authority to criticise that programme. 

We wish the PDP could concentrate on mending her fences and prevent her building from total collapse. It’s best to focus on meaningful discussions rather than unnecessary banter. 

It’s quite unfortunate that the Oyo PDP was blind when Governor Makinde commissioned a PDP Secretariat allegedly funded by her governor. It did not occur to the PDP to raise questions about the prioritisation of the PDP Secretariat over dilapidated state infrastructures such as roads, schools, and hospitals.

The ruling PDP in Oyo State seems to have overlooked other pressing needs to commission the Secretariat and name it after Chief Adagunodo, an individual from Osun State, disregarding notable PDP figures from Oyo State. Call it whatever, Governor Makinde’s decision amounts to disrespecting the contributions of PDP heroes in Oyo State. One wonders if the PDP executives are on sabbatical leave. For instance, what notable projects did the late Chief Adagunodo initiate that warrant naming the PDP Secretariat in Oyo State after him? This decision is perceived as an insult, especially considering the legacies of Chief Yekini Adeojo and Chief Lamidi Adedibu, who perfectly qualified as “Baba PDP.”.

Let’s emphasise the importance of acknowledging and respecting the achievements of all contributors to Oyo State’s progress, particularly that of Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, Oyo North, rather than politicising his projects and initiatives. 

Contrary to the PDP’s claims, the construction of the federal hospitals in Okeogun, facilitated by Senator Buhari, was equipped, and the delay in their operation was due to the state government’s failure to seize the opportunity and distribute medical staff to them for the use of state indigines. 

These hospitals, located in Oyo State, benefit the state’s indigenous people. Furthermore, the library at Saki has been handed over to The Okeogun Polytechnic (TOP), a state-owned institution, which has expressed gratitude to the senator.

It’s astonishing that the PDP publicity secretary criticised his own government, demonstrating laziness and a lack of investigation. A thorough survey of the senatorial district would reveal Senator Buhari’s unmatched commitment to meaningful development.

Regarding the mosque, it’s worth noting that Governor Seyi Makinde, a Christian, rebuilt the Adogba Central Mosque in Ibadan, which was demolished by his administration in 2020. While Makinde claimed to have used personal funds, the veracity of this claim remains uncertain.

Senator Buhari’s mosque project is a personal endeavour, and he won’t engage with baseless criticism. As a legislator without access to the state or federal budget, not being a chief executive, he can’t be accused of misusing public money. The PDP should focus on its own affairs and ask her governor to be more responsible, responsive, transparent, and accountable.

E-signed by 

Barr Abdul Waheed Olatunde Lawal