The gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, in Oyo state Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has disclosed the reason why people call him ‘buje budanu’ (generous person).
The former governor who spoke on Crossfire, a weekly political programme on Fresh 105.9 FM, explained that “What I did that made people give me that sobriquet was that I made money available to the people by awarding contracts to the grassroots, if there’s a construction in Saki, I contract it to the people at Saki, I don’t spray money across the streets, but did not have to see me before they got money because the money was flowing within the state.”
He said, “The excuse that they give contracts to companies outside Nigeria because of standard is a fallacy, I know Oyo State very well, we have good and reputable companies that will produce standard output.”
Akala also bared his mind on the Obaship tussle, noting that “What we are going to do is promote our culture, our tradition. I cannot reform our culture, it’s our tradition, why has the Queen of England not changed the system? Because it’s their culture, it’s not the business of government to change tradition or culture.
“I will run a listening government. When I was in government, I used the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, to get in touch with the people, you get feedback and know what’s going on.”
“In my first 100 Days in office, I will make sure that I put smile on the faces of the people of Oyo State by reviving the economy.
“I will make sure I restrict the ownership of LAUTECH to Oyo State. Experience, they say, is the best teacher, and you can’t read them in textbooks. I am telling you authoritatively that I know how to get the funds for tertiary institutions in the state to be buoyant.
“I will make sure that with any money available, I will pay the owed salaries and pensions so that they will be happy with me. This is because these workers are the tools you will use to get the system working, so they need to be motivated. I will scrap all these small small levies, I enjoyed free primary education,” he added.
The Ogbomoso born politician, however, said “I did not leave N110 million naira in Oyo coffers, I left N10 billion when I exited. When I left, I did not owe any bank a dime, any bank that I owed money should come out. Secondly, I will publish our handover note which myself and the current government signed in one of the national dailies soonest, you know documents can’t lie.”
While expressing confidence in the ability of his deputy, Alao-Akala said he listened to the deputy governorship candidates’ debate. “I listened to it and about the positive reports, that was why I chose him, I know he is capable, we are going to be in government together.
Packaged by Ojo Peter
