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With the Osun state governorship election just about three weeks away, candidates of political parties other than the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are proving that they have the right programmes to move the state forward.
The election comes up on September 22, 2018. A total of 48 political parties will be on the ballot
SEE: List of 48 political parties, candidates, running mates, for Osun governorship election
The candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Olugbenga Akintola, says he is confident of winning because he has people-centered development agenda that has been effectively communicated to the voters.
Akintola, an architect, stated that having served under former governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in Lagos State for six years and under current Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, for two years, he has learnt the art of governance.
Salaries and pensions
The AD governorship candidate said he would place the payment of salaries and pensions under first-line charge of the state’s expenditure.
He identified the non-payment of salary arrears and pensions as the greatest problem in the state today.
Agriculture
Akintola said that if he elected governor, he would concentrate on agriculture and its value chain activities, to revitalize the state’s economy immediately.
“I will move agriculture from just farming to manufacturing by exploring the value chain activities,” he promised.
Roads and basic infrastructure
He explained that while mechanized farming will be well promoted, roads that lead to farms and other infrastructural facilities that aid movement of farm produce will receive special focus, pointing out that a lot of economic activities and jobs will be created as a result.
Manufacturing, plus chocolate industries
Akintola, who recently resigned as Special Adviser to Oyo state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi on Infrastructure, said logistics, manufacturing and storage, will enjoy his administration’s attention to build on the gains of agricultural and infrastructural development
He said he would create an enabling environment to attract manufacturing companies to the state.
He promised to facilitate the establishment of chocolate industries since the state is a major producer of cocoa.
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