Ex-deputy governor Gbolarumi vows to replace Makinde as Oyo governor

Mr Gbolarumi said the sitting Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state did not live up to the peoples’ expectations.

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Oyo, Hazeem Gbolarumi, on Thursday in Ibadan declared his intention to run for the governorship position in the state.

Mr Gbolarumi was deputy to deceased Governor Alao Akala during his first tenure between 2007 and 2011.

He said the sitting Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the state did not live up to the peoples’ expectations.

Mr Gbolarumi said that his political experience, wisdom, knowledge, administrative skills, zeal and political dynamism spoke volumes and would assist him in steering the affairs of the state to meet the desires of the people.

He said Mr Makinde might have done his best; his performance was not at par with the party’s manifesto and the dreams of the founding fathers of the party.

The governorship aspirant said that a good administration must endeavour to make positive impacts on the people of Oyo State and on the party that helped to install it.

“A government that has not laid a good foundation in three years in education, healthcare, religious harmony, security, reduction of corruption, judicial and legislative autonomy, should not be eyeing a second term in office.

“A government that has not ensured local government independence as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria will be too disastrous to our dear state.

“A situation where local governments cannot freely embark on developmental projects without recourse to the governor is an aberration and inimical to the development of the state, especially at the grassroots level.

“This is the route being taken by the current governor of Oyo State which has technically incapacitated chairmen of local governments.

“The incapacitation has resulted in ineffective running of the affairs of governments at the grassroots level which has brought about sufferings and negative effects upon the people.

“After consultations far and near, necessitated by calls by PDP members, leaders, opinion leaders and concerned people, I declare my intention to serve as the next governor, under the big PDP umbrella,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Director-General of “Gbolarumi 2023’’ campaign organisation, Majekodunmi Aborode, described Mr Gbolarumi as a tested and courageous politician that has the capacity to lead the state.

Mr Aborode said that the party and the people of the state want a change of hand.

In his remarks, a PDP Chieftain and businessman, Femi Babalola, said Mr Gbolarumi’s supporters owned the party and they were not ready to leave it.

Mr Babalola said the supporters remained committed to right the wrongs of the past in the state, adding that party members must have a say in the party’s affairs and benefit from it.

The declaration was attended by PDP party faithful from the 33 local government areas of the state. 

(NAN)