A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State in 2019, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has expressed his readiness to contest the governorship seat of the state, a second time on the platform of the APC.
Adelabu made the disclosure on Monday during a news conference, where he accused Governor Seyi Makinde of not being good enough for the state. He noted that the last three years of Makinde has seen the rise of thuggery, hooliganism and insecurity in the state.
He stated that he was on a mission to put government business where it should be. He noted that the maladministration of Governor Makinde in the state has led to many of his supporters departing him to join the APC.
Adelabu said if voted in, his government would not advertise payment of salary as an achievement because it is not. He argued that the real achievements lie in the actual vitalisation of departments of government to produce useful services, projects and programmes for the people.
He affirmed that workers would be made to see internal satisfaction in their work, not the exterior satisfaction of salary.
Adelabu stated: “I can’t but accept this great call to duty to emancipate the good people of Oyo State from the heavy yoke of servitude laid upon them by the present PDP-led government of Oyo State. The pedigree of my forbears is to stare straight into the treacherous face of naked power and speak the truth to it unequivocally.
“The truth is simple. The truth is that the present is not good enough for the great people of Oyo State. The truth is that I, Adebayo Adelabu, has something far better to bring to governance for the good people of Oyo State,” he asserted.
Policy statement
The APC aspirant also presented a seven-point agenda to correct what he described as the misrule of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led PDP government in the state.
He said many of those jostling for the governorship seat lack the corporate acumen and ability to manage a complex case like Oyo State. He challenged other contestants to come open with their track record of service in both public and private sectors.
Adelabu disclosed that he had dropped his career as the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria because of his love and passion to serve his people and make a difference, which was why he refused to lobby for any appointment but decided to stay back with the people of the state, studied the government and got more prepared for the assignment in 2023.
The seven-point agenda, as presented by the former CBN Deputy Governor includes: Security of lives and property; Mechanised agriculture and poverty alleviation; Industrialisation and employment creation; Health; Education; Environment and Good governance and innovative ideas.
The leaders at the meeting, in their separate remarks, commended Adelabu for standing for the party and showing commitment over the years, noting that the party had learned from its mistake of 2019.
Some of the high ranking members of the party from across the state that attended the press conference are the factional Chairman, Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi; Senator Ayoade Adeseun; his 2019 running mate, Samuel Egunjobi; former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo; former Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Olalekan Alli and chief Kunle Sanda, among others.
Emmanuel Ukoh