The Igbo community in Oyo state, South-west Nigeria, has thrown its weight behind the second term bid of Governor Seyi Makinde, saying the policy thrust of his administration has been of immense benefit to indigenes and non-indigenes.
(The Igbos are one of the major ethnic groups. They are indigenous to the South-eastern part of Nigeria).
Speaking on behalf of the Igbo community in the state, some leaders of the community: Collins Okoli, Chima Onah and Anne Ekwueme, hinged their support on what they called the governor’s tremendous achievements in the area of infrastructure and security across the state and commended the governor for carrying the Igbo along in his government by appointing Igbo people into his administration.
During the meeting held at the Prince and Princess Event Centre, NTC Road, Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan, Governor Makinde explained that his administration had ensured that citizens and residents of the state had equal opportunities, as nobody was discriminated against in his administration, adding that things would get “even better under Omituntun 2.0”.
Makinde also stated that he had instructed the Commissioner for Lands to look for a plot of land for the Igbo community to build a hall, even before the request was put to him by the Igbo leadership in the state, promising to hand over the Certificate of Occupancy of the land to the community before election.
The governor, who admonished the Igbo community in Oyo state to vote for the unity of the country, also urged them to vote for him and all candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the national and State Assembly elections on February 25 and March 11, respectively, pledging to look into their requests which include scholarship and slots for pilgrimage, among other things.
“I know you asked for a commissionership slot and you may want an answer straight away.
“In the hierarchy of government, we have the commissioners, director-generals and special advisers, which are the three most sought-after positions.
“You don’t have any of those slots right now, but what I can promise you is, in the next administration, you will get at least one slot,” said Makinde.
He noted that the way his administration had chosen to develop Oyo state was to encourage commerce and the expansion of the state’s economy, recalling that in times past if a business person was to travel from Moniya at Akinyele local government area to Iseyin to do business, it would take three to four hours. However, since his administration came in and fixed the Moniya-Iseyin Road, it would only take 45 minutes.
“If you look at our Airport, we want connectivity, and certain conditions were given to us. Almost all of the conditions are being met and very soon, you will have a direct flight from Ibadan to Enugu; from Ibadan to Port Harcourt.
“We have also chosen to ensure that citizens and residents of Oyo state have equal opportunities, as nobody is discriminated against. Under Omituntun 2.0, it can only get better,” Makinde promised.
Rallying the Igbo people to vote for PDP candidates in the legislative elections, the governor said electing PDP candidates as lawmakers would make development faster, as they would cooperate with the state government to bring dividends of democracy to the people.
“If you like Omituntun 1.0, you must like Omituntun 2.0.
“So, vote for me as your governor and other candidates as well.
“Finally, I want to say that as a member of the G5, I am not a rebel and we are not rebels but people of integrity.
“My final word is vote for the unity of this country!” Makinde declared.
The event witnessed the traditional kolanut-breaking culture of the Igbos and the Abariba war dance.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
