The gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo state and former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, on Monday promised women in the state that they will get 40 per cent position in his cabinet if elected, adding that he knows the role of women in maintaining peace and development of the community.
The ADP candidate made the promise during an interactive session with women of the state at the Jogor centre, Ibadan, adding that he will not only empower women but will also run an inclusive government that will accommodate youths in the state.
He also debunked rumours that he is not serious about becoming the governor and is only working to make the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde emerge as governor, reiterating that, ” I am working for no one. At my age, it will be foolhardy if I don’t know what I’m doing.
“I am not working for Seyi Makinde of PDP or any candidate from any party. Those spreading the rumour only want to use our name, if they want to be associated with us, they should join our party, the ADP,” Alao-Akala stated.
He promised that if elected, youths will no longer find employment elusive and his government will not only declare a state of emergency on education but will also stop payment of fees and will pay WAEC fees for final year students in the state.
He encouraged women not to be intimated in their belief, urging them not to allow fear to stop them from carrying out their civic duties.
Also speaking, the convener of the interactive session, Mrs Oluwakemi Alao-Akala stated that the forum was a platform for women in the state to ask questions from the ADP gubernatorial candidate and all women contesting for various elective posts on the platform of the party, to enable them to know if the party has plans for them.
She urged the women not to take a back seat on enlightening people of the right candidate as every individual will suffer for the wrong choice made by others, asking that they maintain peace while engaging in neighbourhood campaign as there’s no need for violence.
“It is time to take out future in our hands and vote for a government that is concerned about women empowerment, not those that will further enslave us,” Mrs Alao-Akala stated.