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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has decried what he termed the absence of visible infrastructure in the state.
While calling on the people of the state to vote for him en masse in the forthcoming election, he pledged to ensure more presence of government in every community through the delivery of massive infrastructural projects across the state if elected.
He hinted that his administration would also ensure stable electricity supply, job creation, quality education, accessible healthcare, youth empowerment, human capital development, economic prosperity and massive agricultural interventions, among other policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of the people.
Oluyede made the pledge during his campaign tour of Oye-Ekiti and Ikole-Ekiti local governments, as part of his consultations across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state ahead of the June election.
Addressing residents, students, traditional rulers and party supporters during the tour, the PDP standard-bearer criticised the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji over alleged public infrastructure deficit.
He accused the current administration of failing to utilise the state’s resources for meaningful development, lamenting what he described as worsening hardship, poor road networks and epileptic power supply across communities.
Speaking at the palace of the Oloye of Oye Kingdom, Oba Michael Oluwole Ademolaju III, Oluyede expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of roads in the town, insisting that the people deserved better governance.
“I have trekked through your town and virtually all the roads are bad despite the huge allocations coming into the state. Our people deserve quality infrastructure, steady electricity, thriving economy and a government that prioritises their welfare rather than political intimidation.”
Continuing, he said: “My administration will ensure massive public infrastructure and accessible roads, quality education, affordable and accessible healthcare, empowerment, human capital development, agricultural intervention, empower our youths to achieve better future, deliver good governance that directly impacts the lives of ordinary people, among other impactful interventions.
The PDP candidate further condemned what he described as the unlawful arrest and intimidation of innocent residents, alleging that the state government was using security agencies to harass perceived opponents.
According to him, Ekiti has historically been known as a peaceful state and should not be turned into an atmosphere of fear and repression.
At the Oloye’s palace, the traditional ruler commended Oluyede for visiting the kingdom and offered prayers for the success of his ambition, describing him as a man of good character with a longstanding record of service.
“I know you to be a very good person with a good name. Your father was also a respected personality. I can testify to your abilities and I pray God grants you victory,” the monarch said.
The campaign train also witnessed strong endorsements from party loyalists and community stakeholders in Oye. A PDP chieftain, Mrs Adesoro, urged eligible voters, particularly indigenes residing outside the town, to return home and vote for the PDP, expressing confidence in the party’s chances at the poll.
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She also appealed to party agents and members to remain loyal and steadfast ahead of the election.
Speaking during the rally, the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Hon Deji Ogunsakin, declared that the massive turnout that greeted the campaign convoy from Iworoko-Ekiti to Oye-Ekiti reflected the growing acceptance of the PDP across the state.
Ogunsakin accused the Oyebanji-led administration in the state of worsening the economic conditions of residents and weaponising state institutions against political opponents.
“This government has failed the people and Ekiti residents are ready for change. Previous governors left visible legacies in infrastructure and development, but the current administration has brought hardship and intimidation,” he said.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the state government against actions capable of undermining democratic values and peace in Ekiti State.
Oluyede also addressed students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), where he promised to prioritise students’ welfare, improve electricity supply, bursaries and scholarships, rehabilitate roads and support hostel development if elected governor.
“The youth should be the greatest investment of any serious government. We will provide good roads, improve electricity supply, bursary support, scholarships and create an enabling environment for students to thrive academically,” he said.
The PDP candidate further pledged not to overburden market women and small business owners with excessive taxation, while assuring youths of employment opportunities under his administration.
The campaign train later moved to Ikole-Ekiti where members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Ebira community in Ikole Ward 6 defected to the PDP.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Mr Ojo Seidu said they decided to leave the APC because of what he described as the ruling party’s failure to address the needs of the people.
“We have officially joined the PDP and we pledge our commitment to working for the victory of Dr Wole Oluyede in the coming election,” he stated.
Also defecting to the PDP during the visit was Mrs Ibitoye Itunu, the deputy governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the coming poll, alongside her supporters.
At the palace of the Elekole of Ikole Kingdom, HRM Oba Adewunmi Fasiku, the PDP candidate, who was received by 25 monarchs from the town, reiterated his commitment to infrastructural development, youth empowerment and improved living conditions across the state.
He assured residents that his administration would focus on people-oriented policies and programmes aimed at restoring hope and rebuilding critical sectors of the economy.
