Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has appointed Oluwatomiwa Omolewa to head the state’s Park Management System (PMS).
Omolewa’s appointment was confirmed in a statement released by the governor Seyi Makinde’s Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, which also stated that Kasali Lawal, popularly known as Baba Bola, will serve as the new secretary.
The appointment of a new PMS chairman comes on the heels of the dissolution of the Mukaila “Auxillary” Lamidi-led PMS in the state which held sway during Gov Makinde’s first term.
According to the statement, the governor’s decision to appoint Omolewa and Lawal is part of the state government’s efforts to restructure the PMS. Furthermore, it demonstrates the government’s commitment to inclusivity by including representatives from various factions within the transport union in the new management team.
Upon assuming his new role as chairman, Omolewa expressed his determination to promote peace and harmony throughout the state.
He said, “I thank Makinde for counting me worthy of this position. I use this opportunity to assure the people of the state and the government that there will be a difference in our attitude to work. I promise that the people will notice a significant difference in our operations as we assume office.”
Members of the management team are the Deputy Chairman, Tajudeen Jimoh; Treasurer, Kamardeen Idowu; Financial Secretary, Tirimisiyu Olowoposi; Organising Secretary, Abass Amolese; and Auditor, Hamidu Mustapha Were.
Others include Abideen Ejiogbe, First Vice-Chairman; Ganiyu Mojeed, First Trustee; Musa Alubankudi, Second Trustee; Akinsola Tokyo, Second Auditor; and Wasiu Emiola, Public Relations Officer.
Makinde speaking on the removal of Auxillary as PMS chairman, hinted that the garage strongman refused to fall in line with his vision for the Oyo state PMS, hence his removal and replacement with Omolewa.
He said: “Before the last election, it wasn’t as if there is no thugs but we called them and told them the new Oyo State we want. We don’t want them to fight themselves, we don’t want to fight to break from our garages every time
“We told them, don’t fight anybody. if we are re-elected, we shall ensure we unite you so that everyone can get what belongs to him or her for people and the government to operate in an atmosphere of peace.
“But one of them said he can’t work with others. so I said two governments cannot operate in the State, there will only be one government.”
Meanwhile, the embattled Auxillary has more than just his lost appointment to worry about, as the Oyo State Police Command has declared him wanted for alleged gun-running, armed robbery, and kidnapping, among other criminal offences following a raid on his hideout, where weapons, charms were allegedly recovered by the police.
In reaction to the wanted declaration, Auxillary whereabouts are unknown, called into a live radio programme on Fresh FM, where he stated that the police can’t declare him wanted as he wasn’t involved in any violent activities in the state.
He said, ”I agree with Governor Makinde’s order on the issue, but the police can not declare me wanted as I did not partake in any violent activity in the state.”
On the allegation of stockpiling weapons in his home, the former PMS chairman denied the allegation, stressing that only a fool would do such.
Auxillary said, “How could I have hidden or stockpiled those weapons at my residence? I’m not a fool.”