.Pledges to place Oyo on path of glory
A former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has lamented what he called the low level of development in Oyo State with a promise that he would restore the glory of the pacesetting state if elected as governor in 2023.
Adelabu spoke at a press conference held at the Adebayo Adelabu Foundation Secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday to officially announce his decision to run for governor in the coming poll.
The governorship candidate of the APC in 2019 was the closest contender at the poll in which the People’s Democratic Party candidate emerged as winner.
The aspirant, who is grandson to late Adegoke Adelabu, said that “My gubernatorial ambition is intended to enrich politics with ethics, to mix the soil of knowledge and professional competence with water of experiences in the service of humanity within the Oyo State context in Nigeria and the interdependent world. I hope to give practical expressions to ideals of humanity in my dear state as the Executive Governor come 2023 InshAllah.”
Adelabu, likening his aspiration to the declaration of commitment to the cause of human process, stated that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration failed on the fundamental departments of government.
The APC governorship aspirant attributed Makinde’s performance to lack of understanding of business of governance, stressing that he observed the deficiencies in the administration.
He said that “Government business is not a trade which any man does for his personal emoluments or aggrandizement. It takes society for its basis and reason and experiences for its guide. It takes society for its basis because it is the centre towards which people gravitate for collaboration and cooperation in order to achieve progress and happiness. This is the reason why the business is divided or expanded into Ministeries, Agencies and Departments in order to serve humanity.”
According to him, security of lives and property is the true end and aim of government. This, he however said, was a low point for Makinde’s administration.
Making reference to cases of violence in the state, Adelabu said, “His (Makinde’s) government has enthroned thuggery and hooliganism as the official controllers of Oyo State. The indigenes and residents in the pacesetter state cannot sleep with their two eyes closed talk less of doing businesses with peace and progress.
“The excellency of government is no longer excellent in Oyo State in the light of our sordid performance in the environment, education, health, security and agriculture among others.”
The former CBN deputy governor, who highlighted the potentials of Oyo State, emphasised that there was need to unleash the resources of the state in order to massively boost internally generated revenue and lift people out of poverty into prosperity.
Adelabu said, “There is an urgent mission to reclaim the lost glory Oyo State. It will lift young people from hooliganism and despondency. Indeed, there is a negative correlation between employment creation/rise in household incomes and crime.”
If elected as governor, he said that the mission of his administration would be to put government business aright where it should be in the service of humanity in Oyo State.
Shedding light on his seven points agenda: security, agriculture, poverty alleviation, industrialisation and employment creation, health, education, environment, good governance and promotion of innovative ideas, Adelabu stated that he would deliver the state from the shackles of poverty and “insensitive administration of Governor Makinde.
“I’m a man whose history or past is not shrouded in any shady business or deal. My past to the present is like an open book before all of you. And without being immodest and with all sense of decency and humility, I have been an excellent performer in everywhere I have served and my records are there for public scrutiny.
“The last three years have provided me the sober opportunity to review our state of the nation, as it concerns Oyo State. After this introspection, I come to the humble conclusion that our dear state can be better than what we have at the moment. This is definitely not the best we can offer at the Pacesetter state.
“In order to rekindle my unalloyed commitment to offering myself to serve my State with the best of my effort, garnered over time from my sojourn in the corporate and business worlds, I have obtained both the forms for the Expression of interest and Nomination of our party. The form shall be submitted in due course.”
Chief Akin Oke, former chairman of APC in Oyo State, who was represented on the occasion by Chief Lekan Adeyemo, acknowledged what he described as Adelabu’s tremendous support to the party.
He stated that the aspirant did not abandon the party in needs even after losing the governorship election in 2019.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Senator Ayo Adeseun, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, High Chief Akinade Fijabi, Dapo Lam-Adesina, former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gunju Ojo; former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli; Bolaji Repete and Alhaji Wasiu Ajimobi.
Also present on the occasion was Oluseyi, wife of the governorship aspirant; Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, former Commissioner for Establishment, Alhaji Jelili Agboola; Chief Kunle Sanda, former Majority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly, Oyetunji Oyeniran; and Alhaji Basiru Akanbi.
