Ahead of next month’s governorship election in Ondo State, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday urged the people of Ondo State to liberate themselves from the shackles of poverty and insecurity.
Makinde, who led the campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the governorship election, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, stated this during the PDP campaign visit to the Akoko areas of the state.
The Oyo State Governor said the party was prepared to tackle insecurity, unemployment, and the lack of infrastructure in the Akoko communities.
According to Governor Makinde, Ajayi will prioritize the fight against insecurity in the state, adding that the PDP government will address poverty, unemployment, political instability, and inadequate security infrastructure.
Makinde said, “This is a vote for liberation. Once there is security, everything else will fall into place. Insecurity will be a thing of the past once Ajayi is elected governor.
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“If he wins the election, I assure you that Agboola Ajayi will give traditional rulers the respect they deserve. We stand behind him and will do everything possible to ensure victory in the election.”
Makinde assured the people that the PDP candidate would not disappoint them, stating that Ajayi would also involve traditional rulers in his administration. He emphasized that the PDP’s victory in the forthcoming governorship poll would mark a liberation for the people of the Sunshine State.
Speaking at the palaces of traditional rulers in Akoko North-West and Akoko North-East Local Government Areas, PDP candidate and former deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, said his administration would assign roles and responsibilities to traditional rulers.
The campaign team visited the palaces of the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh; the Owa Ale of Ikare Akoko, Oba Adeleke Adegbite; and the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona, where Ajayi promised to include traditional rulers in his administration.
“We will involve traditional rulers in the governance of the state. All first-class Obas will be members of the cash allocation committee. They will also participate in security and contract verification exercises,” he pledged.
Ajayi appealed to traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to avoid violence and any acts capable of causing unrest during the election. He also urged the people to resist election rigging.
Ajayi stated, “We don’t want a crisis in Ondo State. The crisis of 1983 is still fresh in our minds. If they rig elsewhere, they shouldn’t try it in this state.
“My administration will include traditional rulers in decision-making. Traditional rulers will approve government projects in local government areas.
“Our traditional rulers will also be empowered to assist in tackling security challenges in the Akoko area. Please talk to our people, encouraging them to avoid trouble before, during, and after the election.”
Ajayi promised to run an open-door policy and a people-oriented government that will always prioritize the masses if elected in the forthcoming polls.
The PDP candidate also expressed his readiness and determination to continue fighting for a better future for Ondo State, emphasizing that it will be a future built on the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and genuine progress for all.
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