The gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congerss (APC) in Oyo State during the 2019 election, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has pronounced that the incumbent governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is the initiator of the foundation for a very modern Oyo State while he will be the accelerator when he takes over the mantle of leadership in the state.
Adelabu made this declaration on Sunday evening while featuring on a live interview programme on a local private station (Petals FM Radio) in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria also submitted that his predecessor, Senator Ajimobi is a leader whose administration has tremendously raised the bar of governance in the state.
Said Adelabu “We have gained so much from his leadership. So, our people should praise him for laying down a very solid foundation for those of us coming behind him.
“You know, when a building is at the foundation level, observers will only see the bricklayers and other workers carrying out their duties inside the ground at the foundation level. But once they are done with that, any bricklayer can continue the job by setting the blocks. That is when people will then see that a building is being erected.
“That is exactly the scenario in Oyo State, Senator Ajimobi has done a yeoman’s job putting the necessary foundation in place for me to continue laying the blocks by the grace of God next year.”
Adelabu also informed his audience that when he is voted into power, he would take care of workers and pensioners.
His words “the last thing we’ll do is to owe teachers and other workers. We are in politics to better the lot of the masses. We will pay specific attention to the issue of pensioners’ payment. I believe they have worked and therefore deserve to be happy and that they should enjoy peace of mind in retirement. Gratuities will be paid promptly. It will be a top priority in our government.”
He also spoke specifically about why he believes the people of Oyo State should vote for him next year.
“Our people should vote for me because continuity is important. We are all anxious that Oyo State should develop like Lagos. Many do not know that Lagos is rapidly developing because the party in power there has not changed since 1999. By voting for me, there will be solid guarantee that all uncompleted projects left behind by our leader and governor, Senator Ajimobi will be completed by us when we take over.
“In addition, our own government will be coming in with our programmes that include agriculture, education, health, housing, environment and transportation. Health, agriculture and education are going to receive the most aggressive attention.
“Our programme on education will ensure that primary and secondary education are declared free. On health, we will ensure that primary health care delivery system is overhauled. This will take a lot of pressure off the University College Hospital (UCH) and other general hospitals in the state. Research has shown that over 80 per cent of ailments are petty.
“As for agriculture, we will capitalize on the fact that God has given us generous arable land to plant food and other crops. In addition, we will encourage the establishment of agro-allied industries to complete the value chain.”
The APC gubernatorial candidate also used the opportunity to announce that his government will give priority to gainful employment of youths especially.
“Our people will benefit so much from our government when we are voted into power. All they need to do for now is pray for us, come out on all the election days to vote for our party, APC, stay and protect their votes. We will not disappoint them.”
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
