I WILL RUN A PEOPLE-ORIENTED GOVERNMENT; PREFER DEPUTY THAT IS VOID OF GREED AND DECEIT

July 24, 2020
Gbenga Akinmoyo – Akure.

Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN the flag bearer of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has revealed some of his plans and aspirations for the people of the state if elected into office.

Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN made this known during an interactive session with Crest FM in Alagbaka, Akure the state capital, during the maiden edition of its radio programme on Friday, ‘Victory Interviews’. The programme was tagged and designed to x-ray the intentions and plans of candidates contesting in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, scheduled by INEC to hold on 10th October 2020.

The following are some of the words of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN during the programme:

“Let me again reiterate that all the glory belongs to God because He is the one that crowns kings and I owe my gratitude to the people of Ondo state. The time has come for us to have a new positive governance that is transparent, honest, selfless and not parochial. Our service to the people would, at all times, promote their welfare.”

“I extend my deep sense of gratitude to God, the people of Ondo state and also the Delegates who in their wisdom thought it wise to give me the flag of the party. My admiration and thanks also goes to my co-contestants who were all aspirants at that point in time because we all contested. I scored very significant figure that the true meaning of it is yet to come out. It’s not usual for you to have somebody emerge winner with that kind of figure – 888.”

“His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi came runner-up with 657. The margin between myself and that of my closest rival, and this with all due respect to him was 231 to be precise, and don’t forget each of the other aspirants had votes allotted to them. I can tell you straight away that each and everyone of us who contested are eminently qualified to become the governor of Ondo state but then, you must put your best leg forward. So, I am saying this with due sense of appreciation between myself and other aspirants because we all mean well for Ondo state,” he added.

Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN promised the people of Ondo State better opportunities if elected into office as Governor of Ondo State, he said his government would be people-oriented, urging the electorate to join hands irrespective of party affiliation to achieve a progressive Ondo state.

“The truth of it is that our people are suffering. For instance, during my tour to Ilaje in 2016 to see how the people are faring, I found out that these people have problem of water, inadequate accommodation facilities, most of their areas are invested with mosquitoes, amongst others. There is need to build hospitals for them to have access to these good things of life and that is the benefit of going around to get first-hand information about the needs of the people.”

“The truth of it is that, we need to work together. There is no alternative. To be candid, we need both PDP and APC (All Progressive Congress) members and you can see the big figures leaving the latter to the former. This is going to be an open government that is intended to ventilate the aspirations of the majority of our people”.

“As a governor, I should be able go into all the sectors as much as possible and feel the temperature of the people. For instance, I should be able to get up from my office as governor to the Ministry of Agriculture and walk into Room 201 and inspect the work of the staff without prior notice. I should be able to go to Ondo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, among other Local Government Areas in the state to see the challenges of the people. I should as much as possible break these barriers that keep our governors caged from communicating with the people, and again I say, God will help us.”

He used the interactive session to reinstate his commitment to the transformation of education sector of Ondo State with instant reduction of tuition fees of student in the tertiary institutions of the state.

“It is not about politicking; it is about my commitment to education. Any barrier that is standing between our people’s access to education will be pulled down and this is not mere rhetoric. I have said so before and I will repeat that the tuition fee must be reduced. Is not a matter of preference, is a matter of reality because, good numbers of us have had access to good education and we’ve been trained in a way that if our parents were poor and not able to pay our fees, we probably would not have attained the status we are now.”

“Even those increasing school fees now had access to free education back then. All those in realms of government shooting the fees from N30,000 to over N200,000 in the guise of economic instability have not done the right thing. Let me say this again, if the government can have N5.4 billion to build a bridge, not on water but land, such government should be able to take that money to transform our education sector. The foundation of any development is not a bridge or flyover but it is the intellectual prowess of our people, the skill, competence and the training that we have to open the doors of institutions to as many people as possible, to be able to gain access to free education.”

On his view about the selection of a running mate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN was unequivocal by stating that he will prefer a running mate that is void of deceit and greed than considering an ambitious person.

“No man is an island on his own. It is the governor that would pick a running mate, but because you need the help of everybody, you consider a lot of variables. The ultimate decision lies with you, however the truth of the matter is that, in any system of government, the ambition of individuals is always a factor that creates acrimony between the boss and his next in line.

“Once you’re able to get people who are of very high moral standard, those who have conquered greed and ambition then you’re safe. You cannot be a deputy governor and be a governor or vise-versa at the same time. In my view, it is better for the governor to pick his running mate but in doing this, you must consult widely to see what is going to be the value of such consideration. ”

He concluded the interactive session at Crest FM with the an inspiring message of Hope to the good people of Ondo State.

GBENGA AKINMOYO
Spokesman EJCO