A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship hopeful in Ogun State, Otunba Jimi Lawal, on Thursday, declared his readiness to restore good governance in the state if given the mandate to serve the people.
Lawal, who formally declared his intention to contest the 2023 gubernatorial election, averred that the current administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the state had failed and needed to be replaced at the polls.
His formal declaration held at the Ake Palace Ground, Abeokuta, was attended by a mammoth crowd of PDP members and supporters from across the 20 local government areas of the state as well as other South West states.
Lawal, who until recently was Special Adviser to Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Investment Promotion, unveiled a five-point agenda which, he stated, would eliminate prevalent poverty and rising unemployment in the state.
He noted that with his good character, sound academic qualifications, political exposure and public service experience, he remained the most suitable aspirant to confront the ruling party in the state.
He said, “At the moment, there is lack of good governance under the present government in the state. I have come to rescue our dear state from misgovernance and lackluster leadership.
“If given the mandate in the next gubernatorial election, I have five priority programmes to focus on towards making the lives of our people better. These include economic development, human capital development, infrastructure, good governance and improved security of lives and property in the state.”
The British-trained banker observed that given the proximity of Ogun State to the nation’s commercial centre, Lagos, there ought to be a marked improvement in the revenue generation of his home state which, according to him, was non-existent.
“After Lagos, Ogun State should be the next in terms of revenue drive. Our state has great potential and my administration would do everything possible to revitalize the revenue management of the state and also develop human capital to eliminate poverty and unemployment,” he added.
Lawal also promised free and compulsory education from primary up to secondary school level if elected, adding that his government would bear the cost of terminal examinations, including WAEC and JAMB for qualified students.
While bemoaning rising infant and maternal mortality rates in the state, the governorship aspirant vowed to revamp primary health care by ensuring health centres are functioning to optimal capacity across the local government areas.
Lawal, who recently defected to the PDP from the All Progressives Congress (APC), further promised to address the plight of workers and pensioners in the state just as he vowed that civil servants would receive their salaries on every 24th day of the month if elected as governor.
Earlier in his remarks, the PDP Chairman in Ogun State, Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, said the party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants ahead of the 2023 general elections.
According to him, the PDP has become a beautiful bride and cannot afford to betray the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians.
Ogundele also debunked insinuations that the party leadership in the state had been pocketed, stressing that the party exists for all and sundry.
He said, “Our outing today is to make a bold statement. The PDP has become a beautiful bride and Nigerians are now coming into the party in droves. The 2023 election is beyond party gubernatorial aspirant. It has become the collective responsibility of all. If the party gains power, all of us will enjoy it.
“I’m so confident that come 2023, the PDP is taking over the government. The government in power is confused. They are clueless and they have also shown to the people that they are wicked. Look at what is happening in Nigeria today, a lot of people are being killed. The APC has taken us back to those days of ‘wetie.’
“The APC has messed up this country and disappointed Nigerians. Even members of the APC are feeling the heat. Therefore, let us extend our hand of fellowship and invite them to join the PDP which is out to salvage the country from the precipice.”
Ogundele appealed to PDP members to be united, promote healthy rivalry and abide by whatever decision reached by the party in respect to the next general elections.
Also in his goodwill message, the Oyo State Chairman of PDP, Dayo Ogungbenro, canvassed support for Otunba Lawal, pointing out that he would replicate the dividends of democracy in the state.
“We are enjoying the dividends of democracy in Oyo State. I want to appeal to leaders of the PDP in Ogun State to cooperate with one another and ensure they produce the next government. We are sure Jimi Lawal is going to replicate what Governor Seyi Makinde is doing in Oyo State and even do it better,” he said.