Former Governor of Osun State and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has assured the people of Osun State of the continuity of his achievements as Governor of the state by Dr. Najeem Salaam.
He said Salaam, who is the candidate of the ADC in the forthcoming Osun governorship election scheduled for August 15 will build on his legacies.
Aregbesola, who spoke at the Mega Rally of the ADC in Ile-Ife on Tuesday, described Salaam as the best candidate for the governorship seat.
According to the former governor, the party embarked on a wide consultation before picking Salaam as the candidate.
“We consulted widely before picking Salaam as the governorship candidate of our party. Therefore, we made no mistake in his candidacy. We are confident that he will deliver on the job. There are areas we lagged during our administration which Najeem Salaam will make amendments. Nobody is perfect.”
Aregbesola assured that all projects started during his tenure, which his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola, failed to continue, will be completed by Salaam.
“All that we started that we couldn’t finish during my administration, which we believe my successor (Oyetola) will continue eight years ago, will be completed by Salaam,” he said.
The ADC National Secretary posited that the essence of government is to ensure citizens enjoy and benefit the dividends of democracy.
He stressed that Osun was relatively peaceful throughout his eight-year tenure.
This, according to him, was so due to the provision of operational vehicles for security agencies in the state.
“Osun didn’t witness any security threats under my administration from November 2010 to November 2018. We didn’t achieve this through magic but through provisions of necessary equipment for our security agencies. The state witnessed massive developments in economy, education and infrastructure”
“I’m assuring our people that the ADC candidate will do better than what we did in eight years,” he assured.
Aregbesola enjoined the people to vote ADC come August 15 and also protect their votes.
Earlier, the governorship candidate of the ADC, Salaam, reiterated his commitment to run a people-centred and inclusive governance.
He asserted that the school feeding programme introduced by Aregbesola’s administration will be restored if elected.
“I want to assure our people in Osun State that the school feeding programme enjoyed by our children during Aregbesola’s administration will be reintroduced if I am elected. Over 3000 women were engaged under this program which immensely contributed to the economy of Osun.
“Also, 20,000 youths will be employed in the first 100 days of our administration by God’s grace. The sum of N1bn will be earmarked to empower our women.
“There will be stipends for citizens from the age of 70 years above and People with Disabilities on a monthly basis. Pregnant women will receive free medical treatment in our government hospitals.”
Salaam urged the people not to sell their votes but defend their votes.
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, while receiving the ADC leaders in his palace, called on political leaders, party supporters and residents of Osun State to embrace peace and unity as campaigns intensify ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Oba Ogunwusi, represented by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the Ooni’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, irrespective of political affiliations, while describing Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical cradle of the Yoruba race.
