By Adams Akorede
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has handed down a strong warning to leaders of the drivers’ unions not to allow their members to be used by politicians to cause mayhem as political parties intensify campaigns for the 2019 elections.
He gave the admonition in Egbeda, as he leads the campaign train for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and other candidates of the party in Egbeda/Ona Ara constituency, on Tuesday.
The governor was addressing leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and rival Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), who also attended the massive rally.
Ajimobi warned that any member of both unions caught causing trouble during the APC or any of the political party’s campaign would be brought to justice.
The governor said, “We are warning the transport unions in Oyo State against infighting or inter-unions imbroglio. I am begging you to please let peace reign. But, if any of you foment trouble after this admonition, you will be suspended immediately.
“Not only that, you will face the full wrath of the constituted authority. Our administration enjoys the people’s support because of the prevailing peace across the state and we will not allow you to truncate it for any reason.
“We have performed well enough in the almost eight years that we have been in the saddle and we have earned the trust and support of the good people of Oyo State in the coming elections. You are also free to support us, but don’t attack anybody.”
The governor solicited the support of the people of Egbeda/Ona-Ara constituency for Adelabu as well as the APC Oyo Central Senatorial candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin and other candidates of the party in the 2019 elections.
Ajimobi said he was canvassing for the people’s votes based on record of unmatched achievements that he had so far recorded, in the areas of urbanization, peace and security, industrialization, healthcare, social welfare, education and job creation.
The governor added that the administration led by him had also revamped the agriculture sector, promoted the welfare of the workforce and had positively impacted the people’s standard of living.
Ajimobi said, “The APC settled for Adelabu as our gubernatorial candidate because of the sterling qualities we saw in him. This is not to say that other aspirants were not of first class brains like him.
“We are assuring you that he will not only sustain the good work we have laid a solid foundation for, he will consolidate on them for the good of our people. I’m assuring you that he will not allow a recurrence of the brigandage that we stopped in 2011.
“If our choice will not deliver, he will not get there. But, having consulted widely I’m assuring you that he will deliver on the campaign promises of good governance and accelerated development.
“Apart from the roads and physical projects that we have started and completed, Adelabu will finish ongoing projects when he takes over from me by the grace of God and support of all of you.”
The APC State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, who raised the hands of all the candidates at the occasion, urged the people of the state to vote the party’s candidates during the coming election.
Oke said Oyo State had never had it so good since the days of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that the various people-oriented projects and policies have been introduced since 2011are positively affecting the people of the state.
He said, “We urge our people to continue to believe in our party in Oyo State and Nigeria in general. This is a party that has met the need of the people at an auspicious period in the area of peaceful living and growth in our living standard.
“Ajimobi has done what others could not do. He has achieved immensely in the face of national financial crisis occasioned by drop in the price of oil in the international market.
“This feat will be replicated by the coming governor in the person of Bayo Adelabu. Just keep faith with our party.”
