By Kunle Oyatomi
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun recently undertook a surprise visit to the busy Igbona Market to reinforce the fiercely republican contention that the elected representative of the people is, in the long run, the servant of the masses.
Classical political theorists like the French writer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, have always held that the social contract doctrine they advocated was about the holders of power submitting to the wishes of the people even as the citizens chose to vote them into office. That was part of the argument of Rousseau in his famous book, Le Contrat social.
Oyetola’s trip to the market simply sends the signal that he’s fulfilling his part of his contract to serve those who brought his government into office by checking up on them in moments of crisis such as we’re experiencing now.
The people are his masters. He can’t be cocooned in his office at a time the citizens are in lockdown due to the need to contain the virulent Coronavirus. The social contract demands that he serves, not be served.
This explains the euphoric scene during the governor’s trip to the market. The excitement was mutual.
Oyetola was happy to witness the citizens totally complying with the government’s instructions over how to tame the spread of COVID-19.
A report said, “Oyetola saluted the courage and support of the market men and women for the government in tackling the virus as markets are veritable sources of community of the fatal disease, stressing that with (the decision of the government) the state’s ranking has dropped on the list of infected states.’’
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The buyers and sellers at the market were also enthusiastic to host Oyetola and promised that they would continue to ‘’abide by the instructions relating to COVID-19 in their own interest, for their own safety and in the interest of the state.’’
Leadership is more about sacrificing for the people, especially in times of challenges crowding the entire society.
Those in authorities must give up their comfort to share in the socioeconomic straits their citizens are passing through.
For instance, if they ask the people to tighten their belts, they themselves and their families must not be seen in revelry.
If they lock down the society, they must also lock down the pleasure of home and office and visit those bearing the brunt of the cessation of socioeconomic activities.
The State of Osun must count itself fortunate to have an administration that wouldn’t be on vacation when its people are at the warfront battling a virus determined to overwhelm them.
Barr. Kunle Oyatomi is Osun State APC spokesperson
