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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has decried the state of neglect and abandonment of rural areas in the state.
Babayemi who bemoaned the deplorable condition and general neglect in most rural areas in the state, promised that an elected APC administration under his watch as from 2026, would address the anomaly. Speaking on the pain and stress he encountered during his ward to ward tour to Osi/Ara Joshua and Kere/Olomu Oja in Ife South Local Government, he lamented that it took him about 10 hours to reach the place due to the terrible state of the roads.
“Thank God for this opportunity to embark on this tour to the grassroots through the wards across the state. I just concluded a month-long consultative meetings across the 30 local governments in the state. But, I can tell you that my current ongoing visit to wards has shown the degree of pains being borne by our people in the rural areas. It’s revealing and hurtful.”
He noted that the journey, which should not have lasted more than an hour if the roads were in good condition, spanned hours, causing three vehicles in his convoy to break down.
“This is harrowing and despicable. Most of our rural communities have completely been forgotten and cut off from civilization. No roads; no water; no light and no telephone networks. A journey that should not ordinarily last more than 30 minutes, runs for painful hours. This should not be,” he said.
He disclosed that his visit to the ward level had exposed the extent of neglect at the grassroots, assuring that with benefit of hindsight, if he has the opportunity as governor of the state as from 2026, he would change the narratives for good.
“I want to assure that by the grace of God, when I have the opportunity to be in charge, I will ensure that we pay due attention to our rural areas with a view to opening them up for further development and flow of agricultural produce to stem prices of food items. Besides, those living in the rural areas are also human beings who deserve to live good lives,” he stressed.
He encouraged members of the party in the area to continue to meet from time to time so as to create awareness about the party and its activities to aid its electoral success at the forthcoming elections.
