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The immediate past Head of Service (HoS) in Oyo State, Mr Soji Eniade, has joined the list of aspirants gunning for the Oyo state governorship seat in the 2019 elections.
Eniade, who confirmed his decision on Saturday on Southwest Political Circuit, a talk show on Fresh FM, Ibadan, said his experience as a civil and public servant for 35 years will help him succeed as governor.
He suggested that he plans to build on the legacies of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who he said was succeeding in moving the economy of the state from public service-driven to private sector-driven. According to him, until the economy become private sector-driven, the state will continue to rely on federal allocation which will continue to stunt the development of the state.
Apart from Eniade who hopes to contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), another aspirant also announced his governorship bid under the same party the weekend. Accomplished businessman and indigene of Ibarapa, Dr. Olusola Ayandele, confirmed his intention during a visit to e traditional rulers in at the palace of the Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.
Ayandele hails from Ibarapa zone of the state. With his addition, all the five zones in the state now have aspirants jostling to succeed Ajimobi in 2019.
Addressing the traditional rulers from Ibarapa zone on Saturday at the Eleruwa’s palace, the Idere-born technocrat emphasized the need for the electorate to facilitate the realization of a better Oyo State that would rank among the best in the world by ensuring continuity of good governance as being provided by the current administration of the APC.
His words: “I have been to many places in the world and each time I found myself in any clime where there was advancement and development, I used to think about my dear country- Nigeria and Oyo State in particular. But with what the APC government is doing despite the adverse effects of global economic recession, we have been made to see that a new Oyo State is possible.
“I can see an Oyo State that would be able to generate huge revenue internally to sustain herself without necessarily waiting for monthly hand-outs from Abuja. I can see my state fully harnessing her potential in terms of vast land asset, human resources as well as other natural endowment which we have been blessed with as a people.
“It is in view of this that I am offering myself for the service of my dear state in the capacity of an executive governor. I have had to cope with intense pressure from many quarters within and outside the country to take up the gauntlet but I was adamant until I realized that I could make a big difference in the history of governance in our dear state. By the special Grace of God, this project shall be successful.”
The Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Adegbola, speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers from Ibarapa, described Ayandele as a pride to Ibarapa land and the state as a whole in view of his enviable record of success in both the public and private sectors of the nation’s economy. He, however, urged Dr. Ayandele to work hard to showcase his rich credentials to the party leadership to enable him get the mandate as desired.
Other traditional rulers at the event include Oba Lasisi Adeoye (Asigangan of Igangan), Oba Emmanuel Ewuola (Asawo of Aiyete), Oba Adekunle Jinadu (Onisagan-un of Sagan-un), Oba Kingsley Onikola (Onidere of Users), Oba Adedamola Badmus (Oluaso of Iberekodo, Igbo-Ora) and the Rex Elenpe of Tapaland and Jagun of Tapa, Chief Jacob Adedokun.