Edited for use
Bodija Explosion: Makinde Appreciates Obi, Berates Atiku’s non response
By Adewale Owoade
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has commended the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, for identifying with the state over the Jan. 16 explosion in the area.
Makinde gave the commendation while playing host to Obi who was in Ibadan to commiserate with him and the people of the state, over the incident that occurred in Bodija area.
Gov. Makinde also berated former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for not reaching out to him over the ugly incident.
“I will use this opportunity on behalf of the good people of Oyo State, to thank His Excellency, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra and also the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election.
“I thank you because, politics didn’t sip into this, you came to commiserate with us over the explosion.
“Actually, investigation is still going on, it was simply a case of illegal miners storing explosives in an environment where they shouldn’t be, a place meant for people to live is not a mining site.
“So, all the lapses that allowed such to happen are being looked into. I’m particularly grateful because the president called me. We have three musketeers that went for that election.
” The president has reached out to me, you have reached out to me, but from my own party candidate, not even a call or text message.
” I mean I’m saying this openly so that our leaders would know that you have time for politics, you have time for governance, and you have time for humanity, so, we want to say thank you so much, we appreciate this visit,” Makinde stated.
Earlier in his brief remarks, Obi commended Gov. Makinde’s prompt response, saying that was what governance entails.
He also sent condolences to the bereaved families and all those people who lost their valuable properties during the explosion.
“We are here to pay our condolences to the governor and the good people of Oyo State, on the recent explosion, through him extend our condolences to the bereaved families and all those people who lost their valuable properties.
” In everything assure them of our prayers that God will grant all those who lost their lives eternal rest, also, to thank the governor for his prompt response, that is what governance should be when there is a problem.
” The system might not bring back the lost lives or replace properties that were lost, but that response is assurances and confidence to people that there is a government and system that cares for them.
“So, we thank him for that and for also ensuring that a proper investigation starts in earnest and also setting up a kind of support facility that people can be able to support those who are going through problems,” Obi said. (NAN)
