Engr. Popoola Olukayode Joshua, has emerged as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in Oyo State ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The NNPP governorship candidate, who emerged through affirmation during the party’s governorship primary election held in Ibadan on Monday said that the NNPP has a strong political structure across 351 wards of Oyo state, saying the party will win big during the next year polls.
In his acceptance speech, the party candidate, who was a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) financer, applauded his supporters and associates for keeping faith with him despite the little setback experienced in PDP.
His words: “In our state today, there are harsh realities of extreme poverty faced by our people, which fuel the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, lack of formal education and lack equal of opportunities lure many of our residents into criminal activities. Many of our communities are paralyzed with fear – due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings, cyber-crimes and other social ills, as well as the threat of banditry and terrorism.
“When I am finally elected in 2023, security of lives and property will be one of our cardinal objectives. Strengthening existing security architecture and creating new ones for improved surveillance, Information and intelligence gathering, and community policing in partnership with our Community Development Associations and other relevant bodies will be on the front burner. Equipping our security personnel with modern gadgets and technology capacity, such as CCTVs, mobile command centers, communication equipment, internet connectivities and other facilities to enhance the performance of their duties.
“There is no gain saying that the youths are pivotal in national development and Oyo state will take the lead for others to follow as we are the pacesetter. I will ensure that our youths play major roles at all levels, not just in sports and academics but also in the government and private sector. This will be a government driven by youthful energy, creativity, innovation and a championing entrepreneurial spirit. Our youths will be given all the opportunities to realize their potential to the best of their abilities within our framework. For youths who have ideas and capacities, we will ensure that there is funding for their ventures; and we shall make “Oyo made” the new slogan across the country through our job creation drive.
“Education, which as a fundamental right, has been fundamentally bastardized, due to lack of adequate funding. Education will be prioritized at all levels during my administration. My government will see to massive infrastructural renewal across the state, as well as providing resources and educational materials, modern learning equipment and security in schools across the state. Also, we will embark on extensive training and retraining of teachers, to scale up their proficiency, recruit more hands to join the workforce and give our children the strong start they deserve.
“The health sector will be another very critical area of focus. Our health facilities have fallen short of standard, that they are mere reflection of why doctors and other medical personnel are migrating in large numbers abroad due to the near comatose status of hospitals, rendering close to no service when it comes to saving lives, and more so, from most times treatable diseases and infections. Life is indeed precious, and it is for that reason that everyone desires it, just as they deserve quality and affordable health care. I will ensure that doctors and other health workers are well motivated, while also employing more qualified hands to render health services to our residents in Oyo state.
“Oyo state is blessed with vast and arable land, we will take advantage of that in the area of food security and sufficiency, my plan is to invest massively in agriculture, to create jobs and improve the state’s resources from its numerous agricultural products”.
He also promised to transform the Oyo state economy and inject life into Local Government Areas by giving autonomy to Local Governments.
“The administration of Local Government is very crucial to the development of our state and I am assuring you that each Local Government will be given autonomy so that dividend of democracy will reach the grassroots and hasten the economic growth of our state”.
He appealed to NNPP members to collect their voters card, saying that voters card is their voice they are going to use to send all the bad people out of government.
He further urged them to continue to support the party for the dream of new Nigeria to become reality.
Alhaji Abdul-Bichi Ado while speaking on behalf of the national leader of the party, Rabiu Kwakwanso commended leaders of the party in the state, adding that the party has become factor to recon with.
He added that Popoola has fulfilled all requirements in line with NNPP Constitution and Electoral law.
Ado lauded Popoola for building a formidable structure for the youth-friendly party in Oyo State.
In his remarks, Oyo NNPP Chairman, Hon. Adegbola Adesesan said all party members represented by delegates align with the candidacy of Engr. Popoola Olukayode Joshua due to his God-fearing personality.
He noted that the party is focused, ideological, peaceful and united, saying the party consists of men of integrity.
“He (Popoola) is loved by all and sundry and we unanimously agreed that he should be NNPP gubernatorial flag-bearer. This is the voice and choice of all members of the New Nigeria People’s Party. We strongly have faith in God, it is our belief that come 2023, Engr. Popoola Olukayode Joshua is the next Governor of Oyo State”.
Adegbola, however, advised all party candidates and members to work assiduously towards making NNPP triumph in the 2023 elections.
The primary was attended by delegates from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, while Barr. Mutiu Agboke from Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the primary election.
