THE campaign of the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) flag bearer in the gubernatorial election come April 16, 2011, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala to all the 33 Local Government Areas in Oyo State was quite rewarding, revealing and indeed very interesting. The campaign no doubt brought into fore his popularity, acceptance by the people, and of course his monumental achievements since he assumed office as the Chief Executive in 2007. And to those who never had the privilege of cris-crossing the entire length and breadth of the massive land mass of the state, it was quite interesting as they had close contact with the people, were exposed to their culture and also the economic potentials of the various localities.Prior to the campaign proper, Otunba Alao-Akala had assured his teeming supporters and the campaign team that this time around, just wait until we get to the field; we have less to do on the field as our work will speak for us, unlike in 2007 when we had to tell the people that we will deliver the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps. Now we thank God that we have been able to fulfill our promise, so when we meet them, our work will speak for us, our work will do the talking. The governor further observed that there is no hamlet, town or village that had not felt the impact of his administration in the area of infrastructural development, provision of social amenities, school building and poverty alleviation scheme. Therefore, our campaign will be to draw their attention to our achievements over the years, he concluded.In his characteristic manner of matching words with action, the governor flagged off his campaign with the inauguration of the completely renovated historical monument in the ancient Oyo townAtiba Hall to the delight of the people of the Oyo zone. The hall, constructed several decades ago had been in a terribly state of disrepair, and had since lost is glory as a tourist centre. However, in consonance with his pledge of continuing with the good work during his second term in office, he started the campaign with the inauguration and this had characterised his campaigns across the state as the governor equally inaugurated series of projects in the other zones.True to his prediction and assertion, the campaign train at every point was treated to a tumultuous welcome, fanfare and jubilation by the enthusiastic crowd.From the agricultural plains of Oke-Ogun area (the states food basket) down to the various habitations of the great people of Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo to the state capital, Ibadan, it was a demonstration of solidarity, appreciation and total support to the campaign train of the governor.Right from entering the major cities, towns and villages, the streets, adorned with the insignia of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were lined with young and old, men and women and even the physically disadvantaged were not left out as they trooped out to receive the man of the moment, who has made a difference in the art of governance which had earned him the sobriquet OYATO. And at each port of call during the extensive rallies, encomiums, accolades and indeed words of appreciation were generously showered on the governor to acknowledge his superlative performances.It is indeed worthy of note that all the prominent traditional rulers drawn across the state who played host to the governor publicly identified with his good work, describing his tenure as unprecedented in the areas of provision of roads, rehabilitation of schools and maternity centres, poverty alleviation and other infrastructural development.While playing host to the governors team in his palace, the Alago of Ago-Oja, Alhaji Ganiyu Busari Arogundade II in Atiba Local Government assured the governor of the full and total support of his subjects.He described Otunba Alao-Akala as an exceptional, God-fearing and a listening leader in whom the people of Oyo State can realise their dream of sustainability in development, and also aspire to achieve greatness. He then assured the governor to forge ahead, stressing that he as the Alago of Ago-Oja, he is in total control of his jurisdiction and that he has mandated all his subjects to vote for the PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.At Eruwa in Ibarapa axis, the Eleruwa praised the governor for the establishment of the College of Agriculture in the zone, which he said, had satisfied the yearnings of the people for additional higher institution. He also commended the governor for embarking on road construction in the area which had accentuated economic activities in the area. The people of Idere in Ibarapa North, speaking through their ruler, Oba Kingsley Onikola Olufiji, Onidere of Idereland said the construction of the Ofiki bridge, having been abandoned and which had cut them off from the surrounding villages had endeared Alao-Akala to their hearts and they have collectively resolved to back his second term bid.In the same vein, the Aseyin of Iseyin described the governor as a man of honour who has demonstrated honesty by keeping to his vows. The Aseyin said the establishment of a campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in the zone has made them proud of having the much long awaited higher institution in the area.The campaign train journeyed round the entire Oke-Ogun axis which torched at the major towns such as Saki, Okaka, Okeho, Otu Igbojaiye, Igboho, Ilero, Kisi, Iwere Ile, Ago Amodu, etc enjoyed a smooth and comfortable ride. It is pertinent to observe that the campaign train travelled the entire area on asphaltic tarred roads and completed each trip in a record time. Hitherto, a journey from one town to the other took as long as two or three hours due to the bad road network but this is now a thing of the past as the present administration of Alao-Akala has successfully completed the road network linking the major towns.It was therefore not surprising when all the Obas, Chief and traditional rulers unanimously praised the governor for this rare feat and prayed for continuity.When Otunba Alao-Akala arrived the Ogbomoso zone with a visit to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, the monarch minced no words about his full, total and unalloyed support for the governors second term bid. According to him, Alao-Akala is a pride of the state, he mounted the saddle and he has performed wonderfully well, therefore, I and the entire people of Ogbomoso are solidly behind you. Oba Oyewumi specifically mentioned the completion of the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medicine complexes in addition to the plethora of road network all which had boosted the economy of Ogbomosoland. And this observation was re-echoed by his other equally prominent Obas in the zone all of whom pledged their total support for Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala with prayer and words of wisdom, describing the governor as a reliable and worthy ambassador of the zone.Speaking at the various campaign grounds in the Ibadan zone, the governor reeled out series of achievements varying from road rehabilitation in some remotest parts of the city, the completion of the dualised roads within Ibadan metropolis which have been adorned with street lights and traffic lights, the provision of infrastructures, the rehabilitation of the 80-year-old Adeoyo Maternity Hospital equipped with modern medical equipment and medications, the renovation of the Mapo Hall, beautification of the state capital which has elevated its status amongst comity of state capitals and indeed the general cleanliness of Ibadan which has equally made the city one of the cleanest in the country.Otunba Alao-Akala said Ibadan as the state capital and indeed the political headquarters of the South-West deserves the best treatment and hence no amount of money will be too much to arrogate it a pride of place, stressing that as the state capital, it would be used to determine the state of other cities and towns.
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