By: Bioluwatife Akinyemi
A group canvassing for the re-election of Engr Seyi Makinde as the governor of Oyo State, Irapada Grassroots Sustainable Mobilisation (I-GSM), on Saturday held a symposium on the need to sensitise community leaders to support the governor in the March 11 gubernatorial election.
At the event, which held in Oyo town, the group assured the governor of its unwavering support following an highlight of the achievements of Makinde-led administration in Oyo State in the last in four years.
Addressing the attendees, the Coordinator of the Irapada Grassroots Sustainable Mobilisation (I-GSM), Comrade Oladipupo Omobosola, outlined the achievements of the administration which he argued that “the analysis of Seyi Makinde’s first term administration, his fair and merit-driven recruitment, equitable infrastructural developments, regular payment of salaries and allowances to civil servants and pensioners alike, free quality education and many others were few among many other landmark achievements considered in his favour, the symposium arrived at returning Makinde for the second term by directing votes from the constituency in the forthcoming March 11 gubernatorial election to his party, PDP.”
Speaking on the efforts of the group to ensure the governor’s victory at the polls, Omobosola said, “I-GSM is conducting House-to-House and different sectoral campaigns, and emphasising the good governance of GSM. We have produced many billboards and banners at strategic locations within Oyo Federal Constituency, and also joined his campaign trail in the constituency.”
“Our observations and investigations showed high apathy in the previous election and ethnic-driven votes which were ‘Yoruba lokan’ and thereby, working for the Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates of the APC. Whereas, the coming election is for Makinde of PDP. Therefore, people should not be confused by the direction of the vote in the last election. So, the need to sensitize the public became highly imperative,” he added.
While speaking against indulgence in vote-buying, the special guest of honour, Alhaji Animasahun Musliudeen Abimbola, as well charged community leaders on a house-to-house mobilisation of the Makinde’s gospel.
The event which is the second of its kind had over two thousand participants among who are dignitaries like the Executive Chairmen of Oyo East and Atiba local government areas, Saheed Adeyemi and Kafilat Olakojo respectively, Oyo State House of Assembly candidate of PDP, Olorunpoto Rahaman, Rev John Akin Oyelade, and Elder Awoniyi Ojoawo in attendance.
The scope of the participants at the programme covers chairmen and secretaries of all landlord/tenant associations, labour unions, artisan associations chiefs and other opinion leaders from Oyo Federal Constituency.
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