The Publicity Secretary of Oyo state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Akeem Olatunji today continued his monthly empowerment program in Oluyole local government as no fewer than 40 persons including widows and very aged women as well as all past ward women leaders who are still in the party and committed members, received cash gifts.
This was also as Opposition parties in the local government continued in their defections into the ruling PDP in Oluyole following what was described as ‘very attractive’ style of Governor Seyi Makinde’s politicking.
Honourable Ademola Oyepeju Ara and Baba Kenny Tai described as a strong grassroots political mobilizer led the APC defectors while former Oyo state House of Assembly lawmaker who represented Oluyole state Constituency between 1999 and 2003, Honourable Lukman Salau led African Democratic Congress (ADC) defectors, all into the PDP.
The cash empowerment program which started from across the ten wards in Oluyole local government was part of personal commitment by the Spokesman of PDP in the state, Akeem Olatunji, westernmirror news has gathered.
Speaking earlier at the party’s local government meeting held at Idi-Ayunre during the presentation of cash gift empowerment to the beneficiaries, Olatunji described the financial commitment as a deliberate replica of Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to the wellbeing of the people of Oyo state.
“Governor Makinde has really transformed my political views with his never seen before kind of magnanimity and commitment to the quality of life and wellbeing of the people of Oyo state and I believe that any genuinely progressive minded politician in Oyo state today that is not seriously learning from Governor Makinde is not in politics to serve the people.
“Because of Governor Makinde’s love and unwavering dedication to the service of humanity through delivery of good governance and making Oyo state a truly pacesetter state, my confidence and determination levels have reached a point we will take this gospel to even the worst daredevil politician in the opposition parties to join us.
“There’s no better way to make politics attractive to even your enemies than showing love and compassion especially to the masses as Governor Makinde is doing and that is why we keep harvesting members of the opposition whose eyes eventually were opened to see the light.
“My brother, I must tell you this, my flesh, body, blood and my veins have since been dedicated to Governor. This is not about politics, it is about leadership and pathfinding. We have toiled politically, suffered under bad government the worst of which was between 2011 and 2019 under the last administration and we begged God to forgive our sins for choosing wrongly and blindly in 2011, and send us a messiah.
“Now that God has answered our prayers and gave us our ‘God sent man’, we will not take this second chance lightly. We will work tirelessly to protect it, replicate his style and approach to politics and governance to the very grassroots so that the whole world can see the difference between unarmed killers of our collective destiny such as the last administration and the God’s sent revival and restoration under Governor Makinde.
“I have personally committed myself to do this empowerment on monthly basis and it will not stop because Governor Makinde is the face of PDP in the whole of Oyo state and south west Nigeria, since our Governor is working wonders at the state, we his political children can not and will not do otherwise at the grassroots to compliment our candidates efforts at assisting our people.” Olatunji reiterated.
Engr Akeem Olatunji therefore described the choice of Chief Lukman Bisi Ilaka as Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate, Hon Mojeed Mogbonjubola as Oluyole PDP Federal House of Representatives Candidate and Hon Waheed Akintayo Ilumoka as Oluyole PDP House of Assembly Candidate as the best thing to happen to Oluyole Local Government. He further charged all party members not to relent in their collective efforts that have put Peoples Democratic Party as the dominant political party in Oyo State and Oluyole in particular.
The PDP chairman, Oluyole local government, Alhaji Mukaila Adegbola in his address at the meeting marvelled at Olatunji’s unrivalled financial commitment to party members in Oluyole saying “I wish we can have more of Akeem Olatunji in this local government.” He however, urged Akeem not to waver in his selflessness assuring that everyone will continue to note individual contributions of leaders and members to the growth of the party.
Earlier, Hon. Ademola Ara who contested and lost the state Assembly ticket of the APC, on why he decided to lead hundreds of his followers and supporters into PDP said, “nobody wants to waste time, energy, and resources on a party that has lost all form of political relevance and popularity.
“I was an Aspirant in APC for the state Assembly ticket on the platform of APC. I’m from ward one in Oluyole. After the primary election, I realized the pervading injustice and lack of any sense of remorse in the party. Only persons with self imposed delusion oblivion of current realities will remain in any opposition party against Governor Makinde, a candidate that is so much loved by the people of the state.
“We were with the incoming Senator of the federal republic by God’s grace, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe at the official defection at the state in Adamasingba stadium and we’re now fully completing the process at the local government having done same at ward level. Governor Makinde’s reelection bid is our primary assignment as well as incoming Senator Tegbe and other PDP candidates in Oluyole.” Hon. Ara said.
In his remarks, Honourable Salau who led the ADC defectors while commending Olatunji for being a worthy ambassador of PDP commended Governor Makinde for making politics very attractive to play with his style and approach to governance and leadership saying, “we are now in PDP on the Seyi Makinde’s reelection agenda and there’s no stopping us because we will make a very bold statement with our result in Oluyole come 2023. He declared.
