For Akinlade, it is a birth of a new dawn in Ogun

TOO many times, particularly during elections, politicians travel round communities and towns making grand speeches and trumpeting qualities, which they believe make them uniquely qualified to lead the people. But too many times after the elections are over, the promises fade from memory and the people turn away disappointed as before and are left to struggle on their own for another four years.

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But for the governorship candidate of Allied Progressive Movement (APM), in Ogun State, Honourable Adekunle Akinlade, this is not just about promises-It is about fulfilling those promises and restoring the people’s common sense of purpose.

The last three weeks, Akinlade and his campaign train have been moving around local governments in the state sharing messages of hope and promises of progress and better condition of living for the people of the state. In those three weeks, Akinlade, knowing the power the people hold in any election, humbly rallied their support with a common message of hope and prosperity for old and young people of the state.

From the beginning of the campaign, Akinlade made the people know that the campaign was not about him alone but them. He said it louder and clear that it is about what they can achieve together describing it as the vehicle that would drive their hopes and dreams to the land of prosperity and plenty.

Despite the bad conditions of some of the roads leading to the communities, Akinlade, who is currently a member of the House of Representatives proved to the people and supporters that the campaign is about reclaiming the true meaning of governance, which is giving back to the people and reminding them that no obstacle can withstand the power of millions of voices calling for change.

His zeal to forge ahead with dedication and commitment to the task ahead was enough to convince the mammoth crowd that usually accompany his campaign that this is one man, who has not only come to serve but passionate about lifting the people out of the shackles of poverty and returning them to the path of prosperity.

At every stop, Akinlade listened with rapt attention to every word uttered and muttered by the people he wants to serve. His gentle approach in canvassing for votes and soft words settled down well with the people. It was obvious that this is a clear departure from the norm- It is indeed a new dawn of progress for the people, and the people truly love him for that.

With the March 2 governorship election in mind, Akinlade, who is flying the flag of APM, a relatively new party in the state, knew he needed to do more than just rallying the support of the people for votes, he also reminded them that the government belongs to them. For him, government belongs to the people “you only avail us the opportunity to manage it for you.” That message appeared to have struck the right chord in the hearts of the teeming people as their chorus response and applaud plucked a smile from the face of Akinlade, who instantly appreciated the confidence they have in him to commit their future in his hands for the next four years as governor.

From Orile Oko in Remo North Local Government to Abeokuta South, Ijebu Ode and Sagamu and even up to Ado Odo Ota, Akinlade’s campaign continued to attract more crowd as people turned out to hear the good message their man has brought to town. Akinlade, did not disappoint the people, some of whom had waited hours under biting sunny weather before his arrival as he reiterated his desire to give the people what they truly deserve-inclusive governance.

Akinlade told the people to hold him accountable to his words knowing that there is power in words and conviction. He reminded them that without their support for his ambition, is dream of becoming the number citizen of the state was only bound to fail. With the look on their faces, they seemed ready to back his ambition as his words rang true.

In Ode 1 and 2 and Akaka and Ososa where he spoke with the traditional rulers and chiefs in Remo and Ijebu, Akinlade in company with his running mate, Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, made commitments to the Obas and chiefs assuring them that his administration will make life better for them and their children. He promised to construct roads and create employment for youths in their domain even as he maintained that more industries would be built to cater for teeming unemployed graduates in the local government. That was not all, Akinlade also pledged to make life more meaninful for the aged, saying his decision to join the governorship race was borne out of his determination to add value to the lives of the downtrodden.

In her words, Mrs Adebajo urged for the support of women in the local government and beyond as she appealed to the people not to stay at home on Election Day. She painted a scenario whereby people’s mandate may be taken away or snatched from them if they decide not to participate actively in the forthcoming election. Adebajo, who is currently serving a s a commissioner in the government of the incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, restated that if they could get the mandate of the people and voted in as the next governor of the state they will continue to touch lives meaningfully and add value to the existence of the people.

The traditional rulers, who took turns to pray for Akinlade urged him to look into the area of youth development, road construction, infrastructure, tourism, health care, education, agriculture and equal distribution of wealth. Speaking on behalf of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adetoye Alatishe tasked Akinlade on inclusive government and urged him to ensure that the presence of government was felt in every part of the state.

“We are happy to have you in our midst. That you are here today was part of our decision to meet you in person and table our demands before you because we want you to succeed but you must give preference to the welfare of our people and make sure that new industries spring up every part of the state, particularly in Ijebu land.  We have endorsed your governorship ambition and we pray that you get to the exalted position that you crave.”

Akinlade used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to rural and urban renewal, one which he believes would encourage local contractors and open up more opportunities for the people, especially artisans and self employed. He shared his vision to transform the state with the people starting with massive road construction, which will be followed strictly by market constructions for traders and financial support for small scale businesses and would help them to stay in business but contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective areas.

From Ososa to Isiwo, Akinalde’s name was on the lips of many people in the community as they claimed that his approach to electioneering campaigns lured them to the venue. Some of them who spoke with Sunday Tribune in some of the wards visited said they had never come across any governorship candidate who is loved by many people.

In Isiwo, where the Lamodi of Isiwo Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Adedoyin Salisu played host to the APM campaign train, words about the visit of Akinlade had gone round the sleepy town as it seemed everyone in the community was awaiting his arrival. Men and women trooped the streets to welcome Akinlade as they described him as the man they would love to have at the helm of affairs of the state for the next four years. Though, the roads leading to Isiwo were bad, Akinlade assured the Oba that his first assignment if elected as governor was to give the people a befitting road that would their means of transportation.

The visit to Isiwo had given Akinlade the opportunity to listen to the people’s complaints and promised to address them as soon as he becomes the governor. He noted that under his leadership, artisans and self employed people would be gainfully engaged as it would be a dawn of progress for anyone who has mastered his or her job very well.

“Let me quickly remind you that if any of your children has not learnt any vocation, please tell them to go and learn now because more jobs are coming to your town and only those who are skilled at one vocation or the other would benefit largely from it. I will not release government’s money for parties and frivolities because I don’t want to be jailed after the end of my tenure but I can assure you that my government will gainfully employ skilled people and empower them.”

Oba Salisu had in his welcome speech intoned of his frustration at the sheer neglect of successive governments in the construction of roads and provision of basic amenities in the community, but he said he would support Akinlade and hoped that his administration would make a remarkable difference in the lives of the people.

Akinlade enjoyed similar pledges of support in Iloti Ijebu and Itamapako and used the occasion to explain his commitment to the building, renewal and improvement of infrastructure in other towns in Ijebu, pointing specifically to how he will build modern markets that will attract buyers and traders from outside the state.

Rural and urban renewal are key components in  Akinlade’s manifesto, this he preached to the people of Ado Odo Ota, Sagamu and Ijebu Ode as he maintained that this would complement his resolve to build on the mission for more industrialisation in Ogun State.  In all the local governments he visited in the last three weeks, his promise to the people was to concentrate on development, industrialisation and agriculture.

“We all know that Ogun State is the hub of industrialisation in Nigeria as we speak today and I want to build on that success. If you vote for me as the next governor of the state, none of these things will be left untouched and I promise you that Ogun will not lose its flagship position in Agricultural revolution and industrialisation. This government will be run with the people of Ogun. I feel we owe our people the duty to make our schools better, good jobs and perfect health-care delivery.”

During his visit to Sagamu Local Government, Akinlade said his administration would formulate people-oriented policies that would improve the living standard of indigenes and residents of the state. He also used the opportunity to inaugurate APM’s control base in Sagamu, Ogun East Senatorial district of the state, where he said would serve as the party’s control centre for election purposes and quick response unit where crucial issues will be discussed and implemented.

A former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Sarafadeen Isola, Dayo Adeneye, the state’s current Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who is also a candidate seeking for a seat in the State House of Assembly; Honourable Segun Idowu, Barrister Yinka Mafe, who is hoping to replace Akinlade in House of Representatives spoke at different rallies corroborating Akinlade’s words and encouraging people to vote for APM.

As the APM governorship campaign continues on its journey to convince the people that theirs is a party of the masses, Akinlade’s message to the people is for them to remain unflinching in their support to usher in a dawn of hope and birth of true governance.