Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, has declared that the reelection of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, if he eventually show interest, is his ambition for 2023.
He stated this on Friday when he hosted the executive and members of the South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in his office, Ibadan.
Olatubosun debunked the insinuation in some quarters that Governor Makinde is not good at honouring promises, saying he is a beneficiary of the large-heartedness of the governor.
“I am a product of the coalition that brought in this administration in 2019 and I still remain a product of the coalition.
“This negates the insinuation that Governor Seyi Makinde is not a promise-keeper. If it were to be true, I will not be on the seat today as a commissioner.
“Governor Makinde also gave appointments to several people from the coalition. Many people from the ADC, Zenith Party and Labour Party from the coalition were variously appointed as special advisers into several ministries, agencies and departments.
“Personally, on my ambition, it is true that I have an ambition. I am faithful and loyal party member. I will always defer to my party leaders. But my personal ambition for 2023 is Seyi Makinde,” the commissioner said.
Olatubosun expressed his determination to market and sell the candidacy of the governor to the electorate whenever he is ready to seek a second term of office in 2023.
He said the Makinde-led administration has the edge, given the ongoing massive development of infrastructure to fast-track the socio-economic growth of the state.
He noted that, before the advent of Governor Makinde, the state has never witnessed massive construction of road networks, tied directly to agricultural development of the state.
According to Olatubosun, Makinde meant well for the overall development of the state and its people, noting that the passion is reflected in the ongoing transformation of all sectors in the state.
Reeling out the achievements of the governor, the commissioner cited the construction of the N9.9billion 65-km Ibadan-Iseyin Road within the first two years in office, which linked the people of Oke-Ogun area, the food basket of the state to Ibadan and other states.
“Given the importance attached to the road and as a result of its construction by the present administration, the economy of the people will grow astronomically.
“Another one is the ongoing construction of the 76.7km Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, which the governor approved to ease the movement of goods and services among the people of the state,” Olatunbosun said.
On security, Dr Olatunbosun hinted that Governor Makinde remains committed to the security of lives and property of the people of the state through the provisions of logistics to security agencies in the state.
“Oyo has 1,500 Amotekun personnel, which is more than what other South-West states have altogether. Governor Makinde gave 100 Toyota Hilux vans to the security outfit, within the first 100 days of its formation and logistics in various forms were also given to them.
“State of the art communication gadgets were also given to the various regular security agencies in the state. While Light-Up Oyo, an initiative to light up the streets, is to also improve the security in the state,” Olatunbosun noted.
The commissioner noted that security is on the Exclusive List “hence, the state of security in the states across the country is a reflection of the way the president handles security at the national.
“The lackadaisical attitude of the presidency snowballed into the gamut of problems of insecurity across the country today. This can be seen in the unending cases of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.
“If the presidency had allowed the governors in the South-West to equip the Amotekun, you can imagine how far the Oyo State government could have gone in curtailing the problems of insecurity,” Olatubosun said.
On workers’ salaries, Dr Olatunbosun recalled that, before the advent of the Governor Makinde administration, pensioners and workers were owed several months, but workers and pensioners now receive their salary on the 25th day of every month.
“I must tell you this that many traders and artisans smile home every month because, with the workers getting their salaries on time, the economy of the entire state rests on government workers. Remember, Oyo State is a civil servant state.
“Prompt payment of salary is an avenue to expand the economy. Pensioners collect their pensions as at when civil servants get their salaries. So, as I said, the governor is committed to changing the lives of the people of the state for the better,” Olatunbosun said.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture therefore solicited the support of the SWEGOP members in propagating the policies, programmes and activities of the Makinde administration.
Earlier, Chairman, SWEGOP, Olayinka Agboola, thanked the commissioner for recognising and hosting members of the group and charged him to ensure that the budding relationship between the governor and the group is further strengthened.
