I can still remember how many of you became my sworn enemy on Facebook 3 years ago when I called Amosun - Satan In Action - SIA.
Many believed and still believes someone or some group of people were/are paying me to talk about Amosun on Facebook.
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But what many of those supporting Amosun today didn't know is that I actually worked for Amosun in my ward and LG in 2011 to become the Governor.
I was one of those who saw the deceit called Ibikunle Amosun early in his government. I knew he was a liar and manipulator per excellence. His look was of deceit and cameleon. But I kept my cool cuz of a man I've come to respect so much who was in close relationship with Amosun at the time.
When he (Amosun) came to power in 2011, on the 29th of May during his inauguration speech, I watched him on TV and saw through a man that was about to destroy everything Ogun state is known for. He was full of rage and venom and revenge; without any consultation, he announced the closure of employment generating agencies created by his predecessor, cancelled contracts of ongoing projects at the time, reverted many agencies established by an act of parliament and said, "the mission to re-build Ogun state will now start on a fresh plate". Without minding what whould become the fate of the Ogun state citizens working in those agencies. Scrapping of OGROMA was a decision born out of vendetta and not that of progress.
People cheered him without even understanding a word in his speech. I later got a copy of Amosun's inauguration speech and regretted ever entertaining the thought of supporting him. To discerning mind reading this, in an election, every shed, hamlet, homestead's voter is as important anyone anywhere. I canvassed for him without even trying to meet him or seeking his attention.
Immediately after his inauguration, he announced the sack of 4,000 primary school teachers employed by his predecessor. His reason was, they were employed to sabotage his government without due process. He did that to make him fulfill his 10,000 jobs in 100 days promise. After the closure of many agencies and turning people to labour market, he began his 10,000 jobs in 100 days recruitment and my people were jubilating, not even cared about the 4000 who were just laid off by the same man who promised succour and prosperity during campaigns. The popular slogan at the time was; "We have been out of power for 8 years, PDP should go and drink water to what they've ate. It is our turn to chop now".
His party leaders from the ward level to the state level became the official employment agency for Ogun state. If you were not a member of ACN or have any relationship with the leaders of the party, then you have to go to your Local Government secretariat where his newly appointed caretakers were the determinants of who would get what and why. In a nutshell, it was all a charade. He succeeded in sacking 4000 first and then employed 6000 - that was the end of his 10,000 jobs in 100 days.
Then came the demolition of properties without any credible valuation by house owner's choice valuer , or due compensation paid. No alternative or any provision for those who were about to lose their properties to the development drive of the new government. Amosun and his media team managed to kill the complaints of the citizens who were underpaid for the value of their properties in the media. No one really heard about their predicaments - everyone just accepted their fate of misfortune under an "Ibi-kunle". A 20 rooms upstair in Ijebu was demolished and the owner was paid N750,000. The story was the same everywhere at the time. Amosun's appointed agents made so much money off the poor homeowners at the time and all we were bombarded with was his construction of bridges in place of businesses in those affected areas.
I think that was what brought about the separation between him and Remmy Hazzan. The Honourable guy approached Amosun to advised him to slow down on his approach towards dismantling everything OGD in the state so early which seems to be pitching some section of the populace against his government. He told the governor to use development, not vendetta in outshining the legacies of Gbenga Daniel. The former governor still commanded so much followers at the time who were only disgruntled because of the events of 2010-2011 and worked against his choice of candidate - but were not completely against him as their leader. Going after everything he successfully achieved in 8 years in few months in office would be counterproductive. In fact, Remmy suggested to the governor that his approach, instead of weakling the former governor, might actually strengthen his base.
Immediately Remmy left Amosun's presence, few of his close aides warned Amosun to be very careful of Remmy Hazzan. He was advised to do away with him as soon as he could if he doesn't want him to give him OGD treatment. This was how Amosun's road to power on the struggle of G-15 came to an end. Then different plots that later destroyed their relationship were hatched and Remmy was treated as an enemy within, basically because he advised Amosun to "slow down, work and win the people over to his side."
Amosun is a very good liar, I won't stop saying it. A manipulator of repute who can tell you to go and question your paternity proof from your father and you won't hesitate to take the risk. He will paint an eldorado into your head and make you live in your own fantasy and still go back to him to say thank you, despite knowing you have nothing to show knowing a man like that.
I won't go into naming names of hundreds of people Amosun have chattered their hopes and expectations after making them believe in him.
I met few people in London when I visited in December; they were leaders of ACN/APC who have been used and dumped by Amosun. They would die for Amosun pre-2011 - but anymore. The curse the day they met him and still rue the experience of his deceit. He made many of them promises of political appointments that he knew he won't fulfill. One of them almost sold his house here in the UK and relocate to Nigeria to join Amosun's government. When the deceived man couldn't see the governor after 3 months of trying in Abeokuta, he returned to London disappointed.
Even his commissioners who were stealing and making a kill through his fraudulent policies couldn't show their wealth. The were buying houses around London and hiding the ownership from him. Within his circle of trusted aides, they still didn't trust themselves. I hope the new ones are learning the rope too?
The workers of Ogun state today are the worst victims. Everytime I read about their predicaments under Amosun, I am moved to tears. I get really angry and sad. No joke. My anger is two phased - one is how much ignorance or the man they were dealing with has made them and two, few among them still believes Amosun is the best.
I am not going into any details of that as well. I have shared enough on the social media to fill a book on their maltreatment in the hands of a government they fought twice to give legitimacy. They voted for Amosun against Gboyega Isiaka in 2011 because Gbenga Daniel failed to remit their deducted cooperative to their unions. Amosun promised to pay them all if they can elect him. The fell for the deceit and voted for Amosun. He failed his promise but the workers kept believing it was not his fault but that of the former governor. I became enemy to many of them in my effort in explaining the kind of man Amosun was. Some don't even talk to me to this day.
When 2015 came, they also voted for him en-bloc based on another promise of paying them their withheld deductions.
Today, they are back on the streets protesting the non remittance - the same thing they fought 5 years ago.
I sympathise with them. I sincerely do. But let me tell you something; the way the minds of our people works is very strange. We have many among them whose own money is not paid like others but they are working as Amosun's spies in the workers' union. They report every move to him. This is a statement of fact and before you say something, remember I am not generalising. But I have staffs of MAPOLY, TASCE and Ifo LG that have attacked me on facebook because of Amosun. They would tell me to shut up because Amosun remained the best governor in Ogun state history - yet after the comment, they go back to their world of hope - hoping the governor would pay them that month.
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If we keep electing people because of what they say they will do, and not after explaining HOW they will do them, we will keep producing more of "Satan In Action" - and you and I know who a SIA was!
Maiyegun General
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