Oyo State Governor,Seyi Makinde on Monday said those involved in the Ibadan funfair stampede that led to the death of no fewer than 35 children at Islamic High School, Bashorun,will face trial no matter how highly placed they are in the society
The governor said, many of those reaching out to him have been saying there was also stampede in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and nobody is facing trial, and as such why should Oyo state be prosecute people.
But, Makinde noted that, even if nobody is held accountable everywhere else, he will ensure that the rule of law is duly followed in Oyo state.
The governor who said he was not against the court granting the suspect bail, however said the matter is in the purview of the court and the suspetcs must face trial.
Makinde spoke in a remark at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for workers in the state. The event had in attendance Labour leaders, workers, political appointees, officials from the various arms of government, community leaders among others.
Makinde said “In the outgone year, we had challenges. 2024 started with us here in Oyo State, almost on a tragic note. 16th January 2024, we had the explosion here in Bodija. It affected even my office. They felt it all around Ibadan. We’re closing it out.
“And then towards the end of the year, we had the stampede at Islamic High School, Basharun. 35 innocent souls were lost, May we not see such again in Oyo state.
“Quite a number of people have been reaching out to me, saying, oh this thing happened in Anambra State. It happened also in FCT. Nobody went to jail. Why is it in Oyo State that some people are going to jail? I said, well Oyo State is not Anambra State, and no matter how highly-placed, justice must be done.
“Judiciary is here, it’s in their court. If you think you can grant a bill pending the trial, I don’t have anything against it. But trial, the people must go on trial.
“So people come to me, and I’ve been saying to them, Oyo State, even if this entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, Oyo State, we will follow, we will dare to be different. We will follow the rule of law.”
The governor also at the event said the state is facing a renewed security challenges from bandits who are entering the state from the North West states, assuring that he will not sleep until the state is free from all forms of insecurity.
The thanked the Security Commanders and all operatives for the commitment at ensuring a peaceful state.
“Year 2024 has been a challenging year, even in terms of safety and security. We had a few fire incidents, armed robbery, kidnappings, but what I would say is, we would redouble our effort in 2025. Some of these things, we will deal squarely with them.
“Even just this morning, at the security briefing, because we do have a special operation going on right now. Quite a number of the bad people from the majorly North-Western zone, they get in the heat, and they are relocating here. But we will find them out, and we’ll deal with them.
“Because of the stampede last year, I went to Fashola, just to lie low for my birthday, and I can tell you that within less than maybe one and a half kilometers of where I was sleeping, you had bandits with camp in there.
“So I will like to use this opportunity to thank our service commanders. You have been doing your bit, and you have done very well for us in Oyo State. Nothing meaningful can happen in an atmosphere of insecurity. All the laudable things that we want to do, we won’t be able to do them, if we don’t have a safe and secure environment.
“I want to charge all of us, we are all from different places, we are all from different zones, and also our traditional rulers, you are the custodian of the environment within your domain. This is no joke. It’s a serious issue, and for us in Oyo State, they will never get any foothold here, and I will not sleep until every inch of Oyo State is free of bandits and bad guys.
“But you have to play your own part also. If you see any suspicious movement, please report to the authorities, and we will do something. It is in our collective interest”, he added.
The governor also assured that his administration will this week conclude conversations on the review of around paid to the pensioners following the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments
He added “I wanted to make an announcement here today regarding the pensioners, because we have negotiated minimum wage, consequential adjustments, but we are yet to finalize that of the pensioners. We will do that this week. I dont just want to announce a figure, I want us to sit together and agree on it.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the head of service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni recounted and commended Governor Makinde for his workers friendly policies, charging workers to remain diligent and committed to their responsibilities.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Adebo Ogundoyin who was represented by his deputy, Abiodun Fadeyi, State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kayode Martins, his Trade union Congress counterpart, Comrade Bosun Olabiyi among other commended the governor for his gestures towards the workers particularly in the areas of welfare and promotion, urging him to sustain the tempo.
