…As Ogunbiyi laments collapse of infrastructure under APC
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Candidate of the of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2018 governorship election in Osun State,
Senator Ademola Adeleke on Thursday returned his expression of interest and nomination forms to the party’s headquarters in Abuja, with declaration that he is back in the race to rescue the state of the living spring.
Another aspirant in the race then and business morgul, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, who similarly submitted his own forms, at the PDP national secretariat,
boasted that he is the most qualified person to pull the state out of the quagmire that he said the All Progressive Congress (APC) has placed it in the last 12 years.
Both Adeleke and Ogunbiyi spoke to journalists separately after the submission of thier forms in Abuja.
Senator Adeleke, the younger brother to late former Governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, pointedly declared that he is coming back as light to drive away the darkness in Osun state.
His words, “Light is coming to Osun. When light comes, darkness vanishes”.
The former Osun Senator noted with regrets that the Governor Gboyega Oyetola-led APC administration in the state has caused the collapse of the state in every respect.
According to him, there is absence of infrastructure while the education legacy that was put in place by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has been completely forgotten.
His words, “APC is nothing to write home about. Infrastructure dead, education dead. That’s why I’m running to rescue Osun state.
“I am back and I know that this time around, we will get it so that we can rescue our state. Agriculture and education will be our priority,” he further said.
Senator Adeleke, who observed that Osun state has been seriously plunged into debts, stressed that the repayment of the debt will be rescheduled with creditors to enable the state to focus on development, if elected governor of the State come the year 2022.
He assured that agriculture as well as creation of enabling environment to attract private sector to create jobs for the teeming youths of the state will be the priority of his administration.
On his part, Dr. Ogunbiyi said that there is no doubt that Osun State has been under a siege for more than 12 years in the hands of the governments in power.
According to him, “The people have been greatly dehumanized and there is no better time to restore hope and bring Osun State back from the brinks of total collapse.”
Speaking on the issue of his readiness and qualification for the governorship of the state, Ogunbiyi declared: “I am pleased to present myself as the most qualified amongst the multitude of people that have expressed interest to govern our dear State, Osun.
“I possessed the quality and experience required to harness the vast state’s resources for productive and developmental purposes. I am an entrepreneur and a businessman, a professional corporate guru that understands the needs of our state.
“From debt burden and debts management to job creation for our teeming unemployed youths. The greatest challenge facing Osun today is the huge debt burden without any corresponding wealth creation output. We will resolve this problem and put Osun State back on the path of prosperity.
“We can create gainful employment using Agriculture and agric related industries. Osun State can actually be developed into a food basket at least for the South West, if not Nigeria as a whole.
“The educational sector has been neglected thus compromising the future of our young population. Why can’t we have compulsory free primary education in Osun state?
“We are mostly the beneficiary of this project by our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I can assure the entire citizens of Osun State of a prudent, effective and results oriented government.
“This was what was denied you during the 2018 primaries of our great Party that was heavily rigged.
“We have yet another chance to put the PDP back into government as I present to you myself Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, a man with comprehensive and practical experiences in administration. A thorough bread man with result-oriented administration.
“I am prepared by education from highly reputable Institutions in Nigeria and the developed world. I am also equipped with the much-needed skills to lead the State as your next Governor”, he said.
Ogunbiyi similarly said that he is not against the idea of consensus arrangement for the choice of the party’s candidate as long as the right thing is done
