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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Oyo State, Sen Teslim Folarin, on Monday, said he and his party does not have anything personal against the state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 3,333- member 2023 APC presidential and governorship camapign council at the party’s state secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan, Folarin said what they disagreed with is the governor’s leadership style.
He said: “We have nothing personal against Makinde. In fact, we are happy he excelled in the private sector.
“It is his style and lack of leadership we are against. Security is the bedrock of everything. The person terrorising the opposition is more or less like the defacto deputy governor.
“Security underpins what we want to do, nobody will invest in a place without security. We want the campaign to be an issue-based and we want you to help us appeal to them to stop destroying our campaign posters and banners.”
Folarin also berated Makinde for allegedly killing the local government administration in the state, saying it it the arm of government that is closer to the grassroots.
“The governor had an interview over the weekend and he was asked why local governments in the state are not functioning. He replied that the chairmen couldn’t account for N10 million he was giving them monthly, so he decided to kill it completely,” the three-term senator said.
Folarin also disclosed that they have visited 30 local governments in the state to feel the pulse of the people, adding that they will be at the remaining three local governments this week.
He added that the people of the state will enjoy the dividends of democracy when APC takes over power in 2023.
Speaking, the Director General of the campaign council, Dr Isiaka Kolawole, noted that electing Folarin as governor in 2023 would be the best thing to happen to the pacesetter state, adding that the senator has, since age 39, been providing qualitative representation, not only to the people of Oyo Central Senatorial District,but the state in general.
Kolawole maintained that the APC governorship candidate is passionate about serving the people and determined to move the state forward.
“Let us work together to achieve electoral victory in 2023 for the betterment of the masses, the progressive party has a track record of peace and excellent performance; we shall replicate same,”he said.
He added that the campaign council will work in synergy with Sen. Olufemi Lanlehin-led reconciliation committee to achieve total reconciliation and harmonisation of all party members until they achieve victory in 2023.
Kolawole assured citizens and residents of the state that the party would run an issue-based campaign, saying that the teeming party members and support groups across the 351 wards in Oyo State are under instruction not to engage on negative campaigns or violence.
He alleged that though the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been engaging in violent, deceitful and campaign of calumny, Oyo APC will not toe the “undemocratic path.”
“We are assuring the good people and residents of Oyo State that the next government under Senator Folarin will restore security of lives and property. We have also taken note of the deficit in infrastructure and the comatose state of education, which we have already addressed in our superb manifesto. Beginning from 29 May, 2023, the Folarin administration will restore citizens’ faith in the state through humane policies and effective leadership,” he added.
The state chairman of the party, Mr Isaac Omodewu, urged party faithful to rally round APC candidates and ensure their emergence in 2023, adding that elders and leaders of the party must contribute to the success of APC candidates at the state and federal level.
He warned that the victory can not come when the party is divided, calling on APC members to set aside their individual differences, embrace each other to emerge victorious.
“The work have started, those of you that your name is not on the list should be patient, it is not easy to compile the list because everyone want to be there. Your names would be added as time goes on. Some members of other political parties have showed interest to join us, let us accommodate them,” Omodewu said.
The event was attended by former deputy governor of Oyo State, Barr. Iyiola Oladokun, APC candidates and paty chieftians across the state.