Akala Declares For Oyo Guber, Promises People-Oriented Projects

Alao_Akala_oyoMembers of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State yesterday trooped out in their numbers to the Watershed Events Centre, Ibadan, to witness the declaration of intention by the immediate past governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, to re-econtest the state governorship election come 2015 on the platform of the party.

The former governor, who addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters, promised to re-dedicate himself to the welfare of the people of the state and uplift them from the abyss into which the All Progressives Party (APC) had sunk them.

He also called for a level playing field for all aspirants contesting under the umbrella of the PDP.

Recall that Alao-Akala became governor of Oyo in 2006 following the impeachment of Governor Rasheed Ladoja. He went on to win the elections the following year on the platform of the PDP but his second shot at the position in 2011 was unsuccessful as he was defeated in the polls by the APC candidate, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The ex-governor, who arrived the state PDP secretariat in Dandaru, Mokola area, in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles to submit his letter of intention to contest, later proceeded to the venue of a rally on Old Ife Road, passing through Mokola, Sabo, Dugbe Molete, Beere, Oje and Gate, attracting a large crowd that cheered him on.

Addressing the crowd, Akala said: “By the special grace of God, our second coming will witness an all-inclusive governance and qualitative leadership. We shall also consolidate on our previous achievements in the areas of education, health, commerce and agriculture.

“I make bold to state that every village and major town in Oyo State desire even development, hence we shall continue with our policy of uplifting the rural areas and the urban centres with execution of people-oriented projects”, he said.

Akala told the gathering that he had received several calls by prominent people from within and outside the state, urging him to contest the governorship position in 2015.

“I have gone round the state and discovered that our people are suffering, but, just vote for us in 2015, we shall make you laugh.

“We shall not demolish you houses, shops and confiscate your landed property. When my government constructed and dualised Dugbe to Molete road, we paid compensation for the shops, houses and even palm trees that we demolished. We shall stop the capital flight to Lagos which is the usual habit of the Ajimobi-led administration”, he said.