Adebayo Adelabu,a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria,has expressed disappointment on the low level of development in Oyo State,saying that he would restore its glory if elected as governor in 2023.
The governorship aspirant said this at a press conference held at the Adebayo Adelabu Foundation Secretariat in Ibadan,Oyo State on Monday during the official declaration of his ambition.
Adelabu,governorship candidate of the APC in 2019,was the closest contender at the poll in which the People’s Democratic Party candidate emerged as winner.
The APC governorship aspirant attributed Makinde’s performance to lack of understanding of business of governance,stressing that he observed the deficiencies in the administration.
He said that “Government business is not a trade which any man does for his personal emoluments or aggrandizement. It takes society for its basis and reason and experiences for its guide. It takes society for its basis because it is the centre towards which people gravitate for collaboration and cooperation in order to achieve progress and happiness. This is the reason why the business is divided or expanded into Ministeries,Agencies and Departments in order to serve humanity.”
According to him,security of lives and property is the true end and aim of government. This,he however said,was a low point for Makinde’s administration.
Making reference to cases of violence in the state,Adelabu said,“His (Makinde’s) government has enthroned thuggery and hooliganism as the official controllers of Oyo State. The indigenes and residents in the pacesetter state cannot sleep with their two eyes closed talk less of doing businesses with peace and progress.
“The excellency of government is no longer excellent in Oyo State in the light of our sordid performance in the environment,education,health,security and agriculture among others.”
The former CBN deputy governor,who highlighted the potentials of Oyo State,emphasised that there was need to unleash the resources of the state in order to massively boost internally generated revenue and lift people out of poverty into prosperity.
Adelabu said,“There is an urgent mission to reclaim the lost glory Oyo State. It will lift young people from hooliganism and despondency. Indeed,there is a negative correlation between employment creation/rise in household incomes and crime.”
If elected as governor,he said that the mission of his administration would be to put government business aright where it should be in the service of humanity in Oyo State.
Shedding light on his seven points agenda:security,agriculture,poverty alleviation,industrialisation and employment creation,health,education,environment,good governance and promotion of innovative ideas,Adelabu stated that he would deliver the state from the shackles of poverty and “insensitive administration of Governor Makinde.
“I’m a man whose history or past is not shrouded in any shady business or deal. My past to the present is like an open book before all of you. And without being immodest and with all sense of decency and humility,I have been an excellent performer in everywhere I have served and my records are there for public scrutiny.
“The last three years have provided me the sober opportunity to review our state of the nation,as it concerns Oyo State. After this introspection,I come to the humble conclusion that our dear state can be better than what we have at the moment. This is definitely not the best we can offer at the Pacesetter state.
“In order to rekindle my unalloyed commitment to offering myself to serve my State with the best of my effort,garnered over time from my sojourn in the corporate and business worlds,I have obtained both the forms for the Expression of interest and Nomination of our party. The form shall be submitted in due course.”
Chief Akin Oke,former chairman of APC in Oyo State,who was represented on the occasion by Chief Lekan Adeyemo,acknowledged what he described as Adelabu’s tremendous support to the party.
