Victor EzejaFour Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other former governors under the Integrity Group have urged the people of Oyo to reelect the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
They made the call in Ibadan, the state capital on Thursday during the flag off campaign for the reelection of Governor Makinde.
The group also appealed to the people to vote for other PDP candidates seeking election into other positions from national to state assembly members.
The governors and former governors, under the aegis of the G-5 and the Integrity Group, included Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). Others are the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and his Ondo State counterpart, Olusegun Mimiko.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, noted that the G-5 and Integrity Group members applauded Makinde’s efforts in developing and repositioning State.
At the event, held at the frontage of Mapo Hall, Oja’ba, Ibadan, the governor, while addressing thousands of PDP faithful, declared that he has kept his promises to the people of the state as contained in the Oyo State Roadmap for Accelerated Development, 2019-2023 and that it was time to upgrade to Omituntun 2.0, which would ensure the sustainable development of Oyo State.
Governor Makinde, who appreciated the people of the state for supporting his administration right from inception till date, highlighted some of the key achievements of the administration, including free and qualitative education; the building of critical infrastructure that has targeted and contributed to the expansion of the state’s economy.
Other achievements listed by the governor include the growth of the state’s IGR from around N1.4 Billion monthly in 2019 to about N3.8 Billion monthly in 2022, securing the sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a University of Education and the renovation and equipment of over 250 health care facilities across the state.
He said: “Under Omituntun 1.0, I promised you that, in the education sector, we would achieve the sole ownership of LAUTECH by Oyo State, and we have achieved that. Today, we have also achieved the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo to a University of Education.
“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 N1.4 billion every month in 2019 when we took over the reins of government to N3.8 billion 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.
“We scrapped the N3,000 education levy. “I promised that workers and retirees would get their full salaries and pensions on or before the 25th of every month; that date is now known as the GSM date and since 2019, workers and pensioners get paid.
“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.”
The governor appreciated all members of the Integrity Group for their support and presence, at the event, saying: “Let me use this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their support.”
Another highlight of the programme was the unveiling and presentation of flags to the party’s standard bearers in the three senatorial districts and 14 Federal Constituencies, by the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.
In attendance at the programme were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Makinde’s running mate with whom he collected the party’s flag, Barr. Abdulroheem Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun and the Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi.
Others were the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; former Chief of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Dr Saka Balogun, among others.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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