Tinubu, Segun Oni , Others Absent at S’ West APC Stakeholders Meeting in Ibadan

Former Interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande while speaking with journalists  declared that the party did not promise to restructure the country during its campaigns.

Akande  informed that there is no section of the party’s manifesto where restructuring can be found.

He, however remarked that devolution of powers is what Nigerians should be asking for instead of restructuring.

The ex-Governor of Osun State in his remarks after the close door meeting held for 2 hours, 30 minutes said “Restructuring is not our language, go and ask those people shouting restructuring what is the definition of restructuring.

“What we are saying is devolution of powers. Go and ask restructuring advocates that question. Go and ask them the meaning of restructuring”.

Akande also mentioned that the decision of the meeting was to allow states have powers in making decisions of their own by giving them more powers and functions.

He said “The decision of this meeting is not about that, the decision of the meeting advise the country to allow the state that have land to farm.

Akande while speaking further commended the governors under the platform of the party saying that they have done excellently.

“I told you that this is a meeting of party leadership outside and inside the government.

“We are concerned about the service of our government to the people

He equally said that Tinubu and other Minister who did not attend the meetings have sent in their Apologies

Earlier in his welcome address, the host governor called on his colleagues, party leaders and other public office holders under the APC to sacrifice their self interest and work more towards surmounting developmental challenges confronting the region.As the countdown to 2019 beckons, Ajimobi said it had become imperative for the leaders to engage in some introspection to identify what could have been done differently, and if necessary, go back to the drawing board to proffer agreeable methods on the way forward.

Ajimobi said, “Let me state here that as leaders, it is incumbent on us to brainstorm and forge a unity of purpose which will be beneficial to the people who have put us into these leadership positions.

“Our past leaders, wherever they found themselves, used to exhibit such attributes as vision, determination, selflessness, courage, steadfastness and passion for the emancipation of their people.

“We must, therefore, renew our resolve to re-enact these qualities in order to bring back the lost glory of our region and reposition it for our people, in order that they may enjoy the full benefits of entrusting our party with their destinies.”

In the last three years, he said that the party had recorded tremendous achievements worthy of celebration, noting, however that there was the need for the APC to focus attention on agriculture to boost the country’s economy.

According to him, the region had comparative advantage in agriculture, given its vast arable land, highest concentration of agric research institutes, clement weather and the location of Ikere Gorge Dam, which has the capacity to irrigate the entire region, in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.

Ajimobi said, “We must become the food basket of Nigeria through integrated farming and value addition. In this regard, the completion of Ikere Gorge Dam, which has multidimensional benefits to agriculture, water supply and electricity, is imperative.

“We must ensure speedy completion of the ongoing expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan Express way, the rail projects and other infrastructural development. Our representatives at the national assembly must be ready to support the region if and when it decides to show interest in who runs the planned concession of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

“On the political front, the gubernatorial elections for Ekiti and Osun are fast approaching. All hands must be on deck to ensure victory for our party.”