There was a time when we were paid just half of our monthly salary for over twenty months. Life was hard for everyone. The whole state was practically living from hand to mouth, and the ambience was deeply melancholic.
Pensioners were not spared. Many went for months without their pensions. The situation was heartbreaking.
But God saw us through that period.
Then came another period when we neither went forward nor backwards. Things were relatively calm, but there was little to show for it. Nothing much was happening. Individually and collectively, we seemed stuck.
God saw us through that period too.
But in the past few years, something has changed.
There is peace in the land. We now receive improved salaries and our allowances as and when due. The economy of the state appears more vibrant. Many small businesses are springing up. People seem more hopeful, and there is a different energy in the atmosphere. From my own observation, people seem more relaxed; they dance more, and there is simply more happiness in the air.
In fact, look at me! I am now fat!
That was just a joke. But seriously, when a leader is humane and genuinely cares about the collective welfare of the people, it reflects on the people. And honestly, life feels considerably better than it did during those difficult years.
Then I want to talk from the perspective of a Runsgirl.
As many of you already know, I have been running the roads of Osogbo consistently, on average five days a week, for more than ten years.
So, I have quite literally run through Osogbo under different administrations.
I have seen our roads at different times. I have seen roads that were good, roads that deteriorated, roads that were rehabilitated and roads that were transformed. I have watched how accessibility, road infrastructure and the general appearance of different parts of the city have changed over the years.
Running gives you a much better perspective of a city. You don’t just pass through it in a car. You see it. You feel it. You notice the potholes, the drainage, the construction, the newly rehabilitated roads, the abandoned projects and the changes taking place around you.
And after more than a decade of running these streets, I can honestly say that I have seen the changes, not just in the roads, but in the demeanour of the common man on the streets and in the general ambience of the state.
That is why, as we approach another election, I believe we owe ourselves something more than party loyalty.
We owe ourselves honest assessment.
Who has made life better for the ordinary people of Osun State?
Who has managed the state well?
Who has improved workers’ welfare?
Who has created an environment where businesses can thrive?
Who has improved infrastructure and the physical environment?
And, most importantly, who can sustain whatever progress we have made and take us even further?
I don’t believe we should vote blindly because of party loyalty or any flimsy reason. Neither do I believe that everything is perfect simply because things are better than they used to be. There is always room for improvement, and every administration must be held accountable.
But I also believe that when something works, we should be honest enough to acknowledge it.
Let’s look at the evidence. Let’s examine the records. Let’s compare the alternatives. Let’s listen to what each candidate has to offer.
Then vote for the person you sincerely believe can serve the people best. After all, democracy is strictly for the people.
So, politics should be about the quality of life of the people, not the colour or design of the party’s flag.
So, who should win tomorrow’s election?
The person who has earned our confidence through genuine service, measurable results and a credible promise of even better days ahead.
That is the person I want to vote for.
