National Rescue Movement

The lapses in the government over several years at all levels have emboldened cultists and other categories of criminals to persist in their stock-in-trade in several communities in Oyo state. The covert support by the political class across party lines has not helped matters. Residents have for long been having sleepless nights, while those-in-power are still reluctant to take decisive steps to put an end to lawlessness, crime, all forms of criminality and evil. Dr. Raymond Adegboyega an indigene of Ile-Oluwo, Odo-Osun, Ibadan, holds a doctorate degree in Finance and is the Governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement(NRM) in the state.

In this interview, the finance analyst and lecturer opines that cultism is new in the state and, as a result of certain factors, it persists. Excerpts :

The activities of cultists and other categories of criminals have continued unabated in several communities in Oyo state. The State House of Assembly has not helped matters by not coming up with legislation to outlaw evil. What do you think is the way out?

In the first instance, cultism is new in Oyo state, which we have had over the years revolving around youth violence and exuberance. The issue of cultism is new in this state. Several factors are responsible for this. Firstly, we have politicized everything in Oyo state. Secondly, rural/ urban drift has made people who are in the rural areas migrate to Oyo state. They have moved due to the lack of basic infrastructure in the rural areas. There is also the issue of non-indigenes from other states in Oyo state, especially from Lagos. We have been advising the state government for several years, but successive governments refused to listen. If the government made agriculture a priority, then a major part of the problem would be solved. This would preoccupy a majority of the restive youth population. The government should also create a very conducive environment for the young people because most of them are now okada riders. The touts everywhere are useful to society. All the government at all levels have to do is to rehabilitate them. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies also have to be restructured for efficiency. All efforts should be focused on resuscitating the economy of the state to guarantee prosperity.