Ahead of this year’s general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is prepared and ready to take over the reins of power in Oyo State from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying it has good programmes to emplace economic prosperity, quality education, stable polity, and betterment of the people of the state.
The disclosure was made by the Chairman of APC in the state, Mr. Isaac Omodewu, and the APC senatorial candidate for Oyo Central, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, during separate interviews with journalists on the sidelines of the 10th anniversary and award ceremony of a media organisation, Newspeak and Associates, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Sunday evening.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was represented at the programme by Oba Muraina Adebanjo, the Asoya of Ile-Isoya Kingdom, Ifeland
Omodewu stated: “As far a APC is concerned, we are fully ready for the elections. The last time our leader and the presidential candidate of our party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was in Ibadan, he said we need to move out to solicit for support. Since then, we’ve been moving out.
“When it comes to reconciliation, don’t expect everybody to agree with you. But as long you can get the majority to reconcile, then you are good to go. We expect that people are still coming in until election period.
“When it comes to the issue of administration or governance, the difference is clear between our party – APC, and PDP. You can never compare the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo State with the present administration of Governor Seyi Makinde of PDP. I was part of Ajimobi administration. We all worked together.
Apparently referring to Makinde, “So, what’s going on now in the state now is not what somebody can sit down and say automatically that he would win the second term. How is the education system in Oyo State?. Then, security and environment are nothing to write home about among other things. Dying Ajimobi administration, there was no single armed robbery for eight years.
“Look at what is going on in Oyo State now. He (Makinde) is trying to copy Ajimobi programme; what he left behind, like the streetlights. But he copied it wrongly. How can you power street light with diesel? People complained and you opt for gas. What is the difference? We have solar. Why can’t he subscribe to solar system? So, there is no room for him to come back to Oyo state. We have the confidence that APC is coming back to govern Oyo State.”
The APC candidate for Oyo Central, Akintunde, stated: ‘Well, I want to assure you that we are fully prepared . It is not only me. My party is fully prepared. I believe, by the special grace of God, we are winning. We have all it takes. Beside all that, we know that in terms of competence, and performance, we are far better than others.”
He described the recognition of him by the Newspeak and Associates, as “a challenge to me that I have to do more. I wasn’t expecting it, because I believe whatever I have contributed to the growth and development of my society, I am doing it for mankind. But if an organisation could deem it fit that I should be honoured, I think it is a challenge that I have to do more and I want to make a pledge that I will continue to develop my people. I will continue to develop my community and I will continue to develop this society.”
The awardees included aember of House of Representatives, Abass Adigun Agboworin, representing Ibadan South East/North-East federal constituency; former APC chairman in the state, Chief Akin Oke; Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof Abiodun Otegbayo; Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Sola Akande; Director-General, Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Mr. Seye Oyeleye: and Group Managing Director of Oodu’a Investment Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji, represented by the company Secretary, Mrs. Abiola Ajayi. A leading oil marketer, Bovas, as well as Access Bank and United Bank for Africa, were also among corporate organisations that were honoured with awards on the occasion.
