Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has flagged off his re-election campaign in Ibadan, where he declared of his kept promises to the people of the state, as contained in the Oyo State Roadmap for Accelerated Development, 2019-2023.
The event, held at the historical Mapo Hall, Ibadan, had in attendance the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) G5 Governors, christened the Integrity Group: governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), accompanied by former governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), who were all dressed in uniform brown and white striped flowing gowns, with caps to match.
The members of the group, who were at the event to give their support to Governor Makinde, took turns to extol the virtues of Makinde and lauded his efforts at developing and repositioning Oyo State.
They charged the electorates in the state to elect all candidates of the PDP from the governor to the National Assembly and the House of Assembly members.
While addressing the thousands of PDP faithful at the flag-off, Makinde appreciated the people of the state for supporting his administration right from inception. He asserted that it was time to upgrade to ‘Omituntun 2.0‘, which would ensure the sustainable development of Oyo State.
Key achievements
Governor Makinde highlighted some of the key achievements of his administration to include free and qualitative education; the sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo to a University of Education.
Makinde said: “I promised economic prosperity to the people of Oyo State under Omituntun 1.0. I said I would take them from poverty to prosperity. We have grown our IGR from N1.4bn every month in 2019 when we took over the reins of government to N3.8bn as of November 2022.
“Under Omituntun 1.0, I promised that our infrastructure would integrate all the zones of our state and target our economy. We have done the 65km Moniya-Ijaye-Iseyin Road. There is Oyo-Iseyin Road; Ogbomoso-Iseyin Road; Apete-Awotan-Akufo Road; Airport Road; Akobo flyover and others,” he stated.
The governor further disclosed that his administration had scrapped the N3,000 education levy, commenced payment of full salaries and pensions to workers and retirees on or before the 25th of every month, a date now known as the ‘GSM Date’.
He stated: “I promised the people a safe and secure environment, and we brought in Amotekun. I promised a government that will put the people first and all our decisions have shown just that. Now, it is time to upgrade. It is time for Omituntun 2.0.”
Also at the event, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, unveiled and presented flags to the party’s standard-bearers in the three senatorial districts and 14 federal constituencies.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor and Makinde’s running mate with whom he collected the party’s flag, Bayo Lawal; a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hamid Gbadamosi; Chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola and a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu.
Others are the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi and a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.
Emmanuel Ukoh
