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Tag: governor

  • ‘Why I want to be Imo Governor’

    ‘Why I want to be Imo Governor’

    A former Naval chief, Air Commodore Peter Gbujie (rtd), has said he joined the Imo governorship race to use his experience and contacts to create wealth for the state and usher in a new lease of life for the people.

    He said: “I am in politics to improve the life of our people, and I see politics as a necessary end in the society. In as much as I see politics as being disorderly, I believe we can restore order in a disorderly society and there are lots of core values in the system.

    “Some operators of our political system tend not to have respect for our political system, and things are the way they are today because good people stay away from politics,”

    Gbujie announced his intention when he received supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his Akabo Ahiara country home in Ahiazu Mbaise council.

    He said his desire to improve the lives of the people informed his decision to join the race.

    “Though I am not a professional philanthropist, I have been helping my people in lots of ways, but I can only do the much I can as an individual. So I decided to join the murky waters of our politics to harness the potential in our state and solve our problems,” he added.

  • Emefiele is best CBN Governor ever, says Ovia

    Emefiele is best CBN Governor ever, says Ovia

    Zenith Bank Plc Chairman Jim Ovia has described Godwin Emefiele as the best governor the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ever had.

    Ovia spoke at the 47th convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in his acceptance speech on the conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (Honoris Causa) on him by the university. Ovia and Emefiele are alumni of the UNN.

    Ovia described Emefiele as one of the shinning lights of UNN who had continued to make the institution proud.

    He said Emefiele’s achievements at the CBN had put him ahead of his peers.  “As the present Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele’s performance and current results arguably puts him as the best central bank governor in the history of Nigeria. These performances are no doubt due to the excellent training he received at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,” he said.

    The Zenith Bank Chairman said Emefiele’s tenure as the Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc was marked by excellent performance and growth in profitability for the Tier-1 lender.

    “I can attest that this university is indeed a training ground for capable, committed, and compassionate change agents, having witnessed firsthand, the quality of a product of this institution, in the person of Dr. Godwin Emefiele, who was the Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc., between July, 2010 and May, 2014. During which time the bank witnessed exponential growth and phenomenal profitability,” he said.

    The Zenith Bank chairman said: “I am truly honored and humbled to accept this honorary doctoral degree from the great Den of the Lions – the University of Nigeria, Nsukka – on this auspicious occasion of your 47th convocation ceremony. In this regard, I sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor, the Council and the Senate of this great and noble institution for bestowing on me this Honorary Doctoral Degree of Business Administration,” he said.

    He described UNN as a center of excellence and institution that has produced industrious individuals in the private as well as public sectors of this country. The UNN, he added, remains a training ground for change agents and highly successful leaders of thought.

    “In my role at the helm of one of the leading financial institutions in the country, I have had the privilege of meeting several alumni of this great university. The “Lion” appears as a symbol of strength on the university banner. In reality and particularly in the corporate steeple chase, the lions have always devoured their prey and beaten their competitors to the game. I’m always lucky to be on their side,” he stated.

  • Ex CBN deputy governor visits Emir of Kano

    Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

    Moghalu, who is the founder of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET), called on all Nigerians to place a premium on purposeful leadership and national unity. These, he said, would create better and equitable future for the country.

    “We have made this trip in the spirit of unity and friendship. As an indigene of Nnewi, Anambra State, we were all witnesses to the deep history that Anambra and Kano share: the  longstanding traditions concerning the role of royalty in maintaining unity in Nigeria. After contributing massively to the economic development of our great country, I also commend the Emir for returning home to continue this wonderful tradition,” he said.

    In Moghalu’s delegation were a former Minister of Health, Prof. A.B.C Nwosu; former  CBN Director of the Consumer Protection Department,  Faruq Shehu; Colonel Charles Onwujuba (rtd.) and Deputy Director, CBN, Muazu Lere.

    The Emir praised Moghalu for his work and success since concluding his tenure at the CBN, especially in thought leadership, the academics and public policy.

    Since leaving Nigeria’s apex bank, Moghalu has been a professor of International Business and Public Policy at the Tufts University in Massachussets, United States of America and also established IGET last year.

  • Don’t shun opponents’ criticisms, Ngige tells governor

    Don’t shun opponents’ criticisms, Ngige tells governor

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has congratulated Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano on his re-election victory in last Saturday’s poll.

    In a message to Obiano, the minister said a historic opportunity had been offered the governor to complete projects and take on other critical areas he could not start in his first term.

    Ngige said: “The people of Anambra have offered Governor Obiano a rare opportunity for a huge delivery in view of the relaxed atmosphere often provided by a final term of office. A golden opportunity is, therefore, here for our governor to bring to fruition his ongoing projects, initiate the ones he couldn’t start in his first term as well as bring fresh ideas to tackle critical areas that will define his administration in the continent of quality governance.

    “Our people have spoken and the election is over. We must, therefore, unite behind the governor to ensure that he succeeds. Anambra is first, and the collective aspiration of our people must remain utmost. The only way to ensure this is to give necessary support to those entrusted with our mandate. The election was credible except for a few isolated cases of electoral misdemeanour by overzealous All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftains in Idemili North and Nnewi South local government areas.

    “It is important that the governor extends his hands of fellowship to his opponents at the election as no good idea should be thrown away.

    “I will advise him not to throw away completely some of the constructive criticisms by his opponents during the election as some of them raised issues that will assist the him to perform better in the second stanza and etch his name indelibly in the hearts of the people. I hence wish him a very successful final term.”

    The minister also congratulated Ndi-Anambra for turning out in good numbers and making their choice.

    He hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a credible election as well as the security agencies for contributing to the success of the poll.

     

  • Obiano re-elected Anambra governor

    Obiano re-elected Anambra governor

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has been reelected.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate won in all the 21 local government councils.

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer Prof. Zana Akpagu, the vice chancellor of the University of Calabar, announced the results of Saturday’s election, yesterday in Awka, the state capital.

    Thirty-six candidates contested the election

    Declaring the result in Awka Prof. Akpagu, said Obiano polled 234, 071 votes to defeat his closest rival Mr Tony Nwoye of All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 98, 752 votes.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr Oseloka Obaze,came third with 70,293 votes.

    He said that the total valid votes cast at the poll was 422,314; total number of rejected votes, 26,457 while the total votes cast was 448,771 votes.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Dr Ukwachukwu Orji, commended the people of the state for exhibiting good behaviour, saying “no bloodshed was recorded”.

    “Let this election not divide the people of the state but bring you together,” he said

    Orji said Obiano would get his certificate of return from INEC on Wednesday.

    “We promised free, fair and credible poll and that is what we have fulfilled that,” he said.

    Obiano  said his victory belonged not to him or his party (APGA) but to all Anambra people.

    In his acceptance speech titled, ‘Time to Build a New World” he read from his country home in  Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government, the governor declared that “this sweet victory belongs to Ndi Anambra”.

    “It belongs to the wheelbarrow pushers and the okada riders who have clearly seen in our recent political experience, a glimmer of light in the horizon.

    “It belongs to the farmers in Ayamelum, Onono, Ogbaru, Omasi, Omor and Ufuma who have now realised that agriculture is the future of Nigeria.

    “It belongs to the teachers and civil servants who have seen that a motivated workforce is the greatest asset of any government.

    “It belongs to the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra State who have seen the star of this great state rise in the Eastern Skies and have answered our call to  bring home their naira and dollars to put our dear state on the investment map.

    “This victory belongs to all of us. My dear people, this victory is not a winner takes it all.”

    Obiano  said “in the New Anambra of my dream, everyone is a winner.”

    He  urged other governorship candidates to join in building the new Anambra that the citizens would be proud of.

    “I say to you; my brothers, we have all fought a good fight, but Anambra State is the winner.

    “The interest of Anambra State is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone of us.

    “Our beloved state needs our talent and our time. The time to build a better place is now.

    He described the victory as “a referendum on the solid resolve of the people of Anambra to rise above average in all endeavours.

    “We have demonstrated that we are indeed capable of taking charge of our lives and making difficult decisions that will brighten the future of our children.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that we shall continue to lay the building blocks for a prosperous tomorrow for all.

    “This mandate is dear to my heart. I see it as a historic call to inspire my people to greatness. I see it as a call to deny myself sleep that my people might sleep better.

    “I will not give myself rest until our beloved state has fully assumed the status of the model state of Nigeria. This is my promise to you all.”

    He said the victory did not come by chance but the final product of the combined efforts of brilliant men and women who sacrificed their comfort to ensure that Anambra’s steady march to progress was not derailed.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for proving to the people of Anambra that under his watch, democracy would have deeper roots in Nigeria.

    “Mr President promised us a free and fair election. Today, we can all see that he has kept his promise.’’

    He thanked INEC for conducting a transparent election in Anambra, stressing that with this election, the commission had shown that it was prepared for the 2019 elections.

    Obiano commended the security operatives whose alertness ensured that the will of the people was not thwarted.

    The governor said “my team and I shall never fail you” and urged the people to prepare for the speedy transformation of Anambra into a prosperous sub-national entity in the next four years.

    “We have stepped into our finest hour. Our journey into greatness is now assured.

    “We are ready and willing to work with anyone who has something to share that will make Anambra State great.

    ‘’We are open to new ideas, new visions of society and a new hope,’’ he declared

  • ‘Nwoye ‘ll be a good governor, says Ekwueme’

    ‘Nwoye ‘ll be a good governor, says Ekwueme’

    Dr. Peter Ekwueme is the Secretary of the Enugu State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). In this interview with reporters in Enugu, the state capital, he speaks on the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Tony Nwoye, in the November 18 poll election. Excerpts:

    You are a medical doctor. Why are you so interested in social and political issues?

    I do think that man is both a social and political being before being a doctor.

    Indeed to shy away from the reality of our social interaction and political participation is to live life sub-optimally. Not only have I made a conscious choice to engage myself in these concerns, I urge every person to realise it is our civic responsibility to do so if we really are serious about contributing to shaping the society and participating in nation building.

    How well do you know the APC candidate given the articles you have been publishing about him?

    Dr Tony Nwoye is someone I have known forever. Our paths crossed way back in our pre university days. He was in Metropolitan College Onitsha while I was in Christ the king College (C. K. C).

    Being a very intelligent and socially active person, Tony was a constant feature in the inter-school contests. He led his school in quiz competitions, debates, JET club contests and the likes. I led mine in same events. So we started off as adversaries really but had mutual respect for each other.

    We got into the same College Of Medicine UNN, played our parts in the Medical Students Association of our Alma matter UNMSA, SUG and the likes. Because of his natural gift for leadership, man management and organization, Tony became an instant hit, dusted his contemporaries and those that came even before him. The rest is now history.

    So, I knew him first as an adversary. But we grew to be comrades sharing the same trenches. Our interaction has never looked back since then.

    What was it like being a medical student and being involved in students’ politics?

    An interesting question. It is the toughest life to live. Your classmates view you with some suspicion as someone who does not know why he is in school. Your teachers are sure you shouldn’t have been in that field of study. But to the credit of characters like Tony Nwoye, he had the conviction and passion to pursue what was clear in his mind was his life purpose. Some of us were not as tenacious as he was with it. But looking back at what he has achieved and the impact he’s made in his society, there can be no doubt that he made the ‘rightest’ possible choice as regard his path.

    So, can a medical doctor be a good governor?

    The people of his constituency can best answer that question. He has represented them in the past two years and you can hear them say that they have never had it so good. It is not surprising and you should not forget that he represents the governor’s in the House of Representatives. Despite the fact that the governor was in office, his people rejected his APGA candidate because of Nwoye and that tells you they saw something in him.

    Given his emergence as a student’s union leader, is it true that he was a cultist as some political rivals have alleged?

    Nothing can be further from the truth. You see when political opponents have nothing to say, they resort to baseless propaganda and cheap blackmails.

    Tony all through his stay in school never had any issue with the security department of the school. In our days, you cannot contest any election in school if you are reckoned a cultist. In fact such charge was the easiest way for the school authorities to get back at troublesome student leaders. It speaks so much about how far removed from cultism Tony was that the school authorities could not even label him with that. I mean that would have been such an easy way of stopping his participation in SUG politics. But they just couldn’t because the young man was so clean of such.

    It is a fact that he has never been accused of cultism while there. He has never been charged for that anywhere in his time. Any of his contemporaries in school who is honest can attest to this.

    Do you believe he would do well as governor of Anambra State?

    I have no doubt whatsoever that Anambra in Dr. Tony Nwoye’s hands will experience its best run of governance ever. Tony is someone who prepared himself for leadership. He is an excellent manager and knows how to distill from an assemblage of great talents the very best for the good of the society. More than any other person in this race, he possesses the best resume as far leadership is concerned.

    Do you belong to any political party?

    I do belong to a political party. I have always belonged to one at every point in time. But let me quickly clarify that I’m not one whose thought process and worldview is restricted by party affiliation. Not in the least. I have a much more robust and expansive view of politics way beyond party lines especially in the context of the peculiarities of our polity where the ideological divides between the parties are ever so blurry. But we will get there.

    What expectations do you have of him as governor?

    I urge him to remain true to his person and his deals as he had been in the myriads of positions he had served in the past. He should remember that it is his past performance that keeps making way for him to soar higher and higher.

    I expect him to continue making his focus the masses, the poor and the dispossessed. I expect him to maintain focus on the youths, empower and equipment them to unleash their immeasurable potentials which should catapult our economy to enviable heights.

    I expect Dr. Tony Nwoye to carry on in office with the same humility, the same focus and the same servant leader disposition that have made him to excel in his past calls to service.

    Any other comments on Nwoye and the contest in Anambra?

    I urge Dr Tony Nwoye and his teeming supporters which grow by the day not to relent. They should continue to sustain their grassroot spread and dominance for truly power belongs to the people.It is my conviction that if the current  tempo is sustained, Tony will emerge victorious cone November 18th and Anambra will enter into its most peaceful, most progressive and most prosperous era in history. That is the Tony Nwoye promise. As Dr Tony and his teeming supporters like to  assert as their slogan/battle cry, the future is now!

  • Video: PDP Governor backs Buhari for 2019

    Video: PDP Governor backs Buhari for 2019

    Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest the presidential election in 2019 as he also indicated interest to re-contest the governorship election in the state.

    The governor, who spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said President Buhari was very qualified to seek a second term.

    Umahi, a first term governor, who was elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was at the Presidential Villa ahead of President Buhari’s planned visit to Ebonyi, Anambra and Imo states.

    “Well, any first term governor would want to go for second term and if what you wish yourself, you should be honest enough to wish another person the same.

    “Since, Mr President is doing his first term and I am doing my first term, it’s my wish to re-contest and I will as well wish the president the same to re-contest (in 2019),’’ he said.

    On the President’s planned visit to Ebonyi, Umahi said the state was fully prepared for the visit.

    He said: “We pleaded with Mr President for the visit and before then we have been preparing, we are fully prepared.’’

    The governor revealed that several projects had been lined up for inauguration by the President during the visit.

    According to the governor, the twin flyovers that is built across the African trans-atlantic road running from Enugu to Cameroun passing through Ebonyi State will be among the projects to be inaugurated by the president.

    “We have quite a lot of projects that we have executed within the past two and the half years.

    “We have three numbers of twin flyovers that is built across the African trans-atlantic road running from Enugu to Cameroun passing through Ebonyi State.

    “So we have to build three twin flyover to decongest traffic on that road, each of the twin flyover is 700 metre length.

    “We have completed two and the third one is 80 per cent done, Mr President will commission the two.

    “We also have a mall what we call Ebonyi mall that is modelled after the famous Dubai mall.’’

    He stated that the president would lay a foundation stone for the mall during the visit.

    Umahi expressed the hope that President Buhari would inaugurate the Mall project when he returned to the state for re-election campaign in the next 12 months.

    “Also we are building a tunnel that dovetails into a flyover that is parallel to the existing flyover, that particular junction that is called Akanu Ibiam junction.

    “We want Mr President to lay the foundation stone and that flyover bridge will be named after Mr President and we are sure to finish that project in the next 12 months, Mr President will also come back, he will be commissioning it when he comes back for his campaigns.’’(NAN)

  • Of contenders for Anambra governor

    One of the confirmed truths that all contenders in the November 18, Anambra Governorship election must respect – whatever their political affiliations – is The Peter Obi Phenomenon. Love him, dislike him or pretend to be indifferent to him, no sane observer can honestly deny that Peter Obi set the real foundation for the multi-sectoral development of Anambra State. Under him Anambra State became the pride of everybody from the state and among friends of Anambra.

    Having been assured during electioneering in 2013 that sustainable development would continue in the spirit of the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), we supported Peter Obi’s successor, Chief Willie Obiano who is currently rounding off his tenure in Government House, Awka.

    The curious thing about the Obiano tenure was captured by the governorship aspirant of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Tony Nwoye. Dr. Nwoye, then of the PDP, revealed that when Obi sought re-election, he (Nwonye) played anti-party with some other PDP members for Obi to continue because he did well in his first term. In Obiano’s case, he continued, he expressed a shame that the outgoing governor has become an irreverent representative of Anambra North.

    Governor Obi’s legacy in the areas of infrastructural and human capital development, industrialization, social transformation, security of lives and property, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and food security, transport, among others, easily stand him out to this day. Even as the Obiano administration has done everything possible to erase those accomplishments, they remain etched in the minds of the people.

    The church, traditional institutions and the aged, all attest to the fact that Obi was God’s response to the developmental yearnings of Anambrarians. All the political travails he survived are also pointers that God loves Anambra State. Were it constitutionally feasible, Anambrarians would have willingly extended Peter Obi’s tenure.

    Obi has since handed over to Willie Obiano who is about to face a re-election. While he tries to hinge his electioneering on nebulous achievements, the people of Anambra have been consistent in asking him to name them in concrete terms. Regrettably, his attainments in close to four years are the questionable fly-overs in Awka and his N20 million ‘Choose Your Project’ disbursements to the towns in the state.

    The fore-going certainly do not rate as achievements for a serious governor of a vibrant state like Anambra. Summed up, for instance, the N20 million gift to each of the towns cannot pay for the construction of one major road in the state. In a classic subterfuge to claim he had done something for each of the towns, the N20 million at best was used to complete small, on-going town projects and to spray-paint already completed projects.

    With his dismal performance, the people of Anambra State insist that the baton must change hands. Compelled by equity and justice, all seem to agree that though the people no longer want Obiano, a person from the North should be allowed another four-year term. Interestingly, the people of Anambra North acknowledge that if Obiano is given another four years in office, one of the consequences of his compounded failures is that he would be used to judge the people from the zone, which would be a permanent slur on them.

    In this light, Anambra North needs a responsible and tested hand to redeem them from the shame wrought by Obiano. What should agitate the average voter is who in this throng possesses the relevant academic qualifications, managerial skills, experience, capacity and ability to marshal out social and economic policies and programmes that can improve on, or at least, preserve the sterling legacies of Governor Obi

    To achieve this, Anambra does not need a maverick politician who would be too bogged down with party politics and intrigues that will leave him little or no time to attend to critical state matters. Peter Obi’s success derived mainly from the incontrovertible reality that while his contemporaries plotted and contrived how to bamboozle their ways through the next election, he was determined to let his projects campaign for him. This option paid off handsomely. I recall an incident in my village in January 2010 when a politician was trying to convince an old man to vote for a particular candidate. The octogenarian calmly replied: ”I have heard all you said about this your man but let us finish with this young man (referring to Governor Obi) who gave us drinking water, renovated our school and is constructing our only road. After that, you can then bring that your man who will distribute “aeroplanes” to everybody in the land”.

    Of all the front-runners in the November 18 governorship race, the only candidate really qualified to take over from Governor Obiano and correct his mal-administration is Oseloka Obaze. I personally followed his roles as the Secretary to the State Government and I am convinced that he has the capacity to deliver good governance to the people. In terms of track record and rich experience in the management of human and material resources coupled with the requisite educational background, Obaze is the man.

    Going through Obaze’s CV, there is no doubt it is the richest among those contesting for Governor. However, some of us – knowing that a rich CV is not all it takes, as we painfully discovered in the case of Willie Obiano – have also seen Obaze in action. We observed his performance as SSG and as head of many critical committees in the Obi administration, and how he delivered beyond the call of duty. We have also heard a lot about him from his colleagues in the United Nations system and those that served with him in the government of Anambra State. All the evidences point to a man who is principled, ready to serve with sincerity of purpose and contented.

    Under the Obiano administration – with a collection of over 1,000 ‘aides’ – Anambra has been fast losing it. How do we explain that we are now associated with drinking orgies, propagation of falsehoods, lack of accountability, descent from a financial buoyancy to a debt-ridden status, among other debilitating features?

    In our sustained interests, we need a man of vision that will cleanse and restore our self-esteem as a people. Mr. Oseloka Obaze is the man and PDP is the party.

     

    • Onuorah writes from Onitsha
  • 2019: I prefer being Olubadan to governor

    2019: I prefer being Olubadan to governor

    A former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, has disclosed that he would not contest the 2019 governorship election in the state. Ladoja, who  rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disclosed this while speaking on an Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, yesterday. He explained that he had personal reasons for not joining the next governorship race.

    According to him, he was inching closer to the the throne of the Olubadan, a position he desires to occupy if God permits. He is currently the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan land. Ladoja said he has other reasons to leave the stage for others because he has done enough in Oyo politics. The former governor said he took the decision in 2015 but that his former party, Accord, forced him to join the race because of his goodwill and popularity.

    Ladoja, who was emphatic about his decision, said he has had enough of the governorship race, pointing out that it was part of the reasons he joined the national chairmanship race of the PDP. He said that he would not have joined the chairmanship race if he still intended to contest for the governorship in 2019.

    Ladoja was the governor of the state from 2003 to 2007 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He joined the Accord Party in 2010 and contested under his new party in 2011 and 2015. He lost to the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in the two elections. But he insisted that he won the last election, stressing that he lost at the tribunal only on technical grounds.

    Ladoja explained that his main agenda for seeking to be PDP’s national chairman is to right the wrongs of the past by creating a level-playing ground for all aspirants for all positions in elections across Nigeria. “I was a victim of that. I am contesting to ensure that no other party member falls victim of that. I will instill confidence in everybody by ensuring there is a level-playing ground for every party member in all parts of Nigeria,” he said

    Ladoja said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not have won the last presidential election if the PDP embraced internal democracy. He explained that the PDP governors who joined the APC did so because of lack of internal democracy. He also denied claims by his former deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, that he (Ladoja) won the governorship election only at the time they worked together. Ladoja said he won because of his large following.

  • Group endorses Paseda for governor

    Group endorses Paseda for governor

    A Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Yoruba Patriotic Movement (YPM) has adopted the Ogun State candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the 2015 general elections Otunba Rotimi Paseda to re contest in the coming 2019 gubernatorial race in the state.

    The chairman of the group Hon. Oladosu Oladipo, disclosed this recently during a courtesy visit to the candidate at his  Ijebu-Omu home, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. He said a round peg should be put in a round hole.

    The YPM chairman, who described Paseda as a disciple of the Awolowo dynasty, said the the former UPN governorship candidate has imbibed  the spirit, intellect and political sagacity of the late sage.

    “Paseda has resuscitated the defunct UPN with his political ambition in Ogun State. He was the flag bearer of the party in Ogun State in 2015 and he is still going to be the governorship candidate of the party in the state in 2019.

    “If I am to go back to the memory lane, it was this same political party I rode to victory when I contested for the legislative assembly seat in the old Oyo State.” he said

    Oladipo explained that there is need for political  realignment in the State where people of like mind and same political ideology would flow together to form a universal political base that will be anchored on welfairism and service to humanity which can only be seen in UPN.

    “Therefore, everybody should give their support to the UPN, so that we can have somebody like Paseda with programmes and roadmap to lead and  turned things  around for good. There must be integrity in our state. Unless we go to the knitty-gritty and the platform, the UPN has the strategy and tactics to coast home victory.

    “I have no doubt that Paseda has the ability, character, foresight and he is active politically. He has a potent platform to make Ogun State great. Everybody will integrate with you in Ogun State. Thank you for resuscitating the legacies, policies and ideas of the Awolowo-led UPN in Yorubaland”, said Oladipo.

    Besides, the YPM leader, noted that  restructuring could only come to reality unless the country return to the 1963 constitution which allowed all the regions to develop, according to their own pace.

    “Awolowo started with free primary education throughout the old western region. He was very proactive because his programmes were all-inclusive. He was doing these alongside the establishment of farm settlement, industrial layout but with these laudable projects Western Region was ahead of other regions. Development doesn’t come overnight but it is a gradual process”, said the YPM Chairman.

    He, however, admonished Paseda not to be discouraged over his ambition and asked him to hold humility as the only key to get up.

    Paseda stated that it was a great opportunity to have the leadership of the YPM on a courtesy visit to his Ijebu-Omu home.