The governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, said on Thursday that he left at least N110bn in the coffers of the State Government when he left office in 2011.
Alao-Akala said this when he visited the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, in his palace.
The ex-governor who is seeking a return to the top job, led the state from May 29, 2007 to May 29, 2011. Before that, he held sway as governor between January 12, 2006 and December 12, 2006 while the illegal impeachment of then Governor Rashidi Ladoja lasted.
At the Olubadan’s palace, he said he is seeking to return as governor because the people of the state fared better under his administration. According to him, “experience is better than knowledge”
“Since I left as governor, things have become difficult for people,” he said. “When I left, people weren’t poverty stricken and everyone was happy. Then, you didn’t have to get to secretariat to get money, everyone including artisans and market people were satisfied but it is no longer the same, people are suffering, workers are not left out. They are presently on strike.
“I left N110bn in the coffers but today, Oyo state is in serious debt. ADP is the party that can turn things around and make people happy, I have done it before and we will do it again. History is there to prove me right that people were comfortable under our government.
“Experience is better than knowledge, only a person that knows the way should be allowed to lead. Things are not working well at present because of the type of government in power and we are lucky that it is rounding up, this is the time to give an experienced person the chance to make a difference”.
Alao-Akala also urged the people of Ibadan not to vote for people that have no regard for cultural heritage, tradition and traditional institution, adding that such people will run a government that doesn’t listen to people and act like they are above the law.
In his response, Oba Adetunji prayed for Alao-Akala and his campaign team, asking God to grant the ex-governor the wisdom to do the right thing.
