The All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin on Wednesday revealed some steps he would take if he become the governor of the state.
He said would not be a governor going to Abuja running after monthly allocation from the Federal government but rather rely on agriculture which according to him, should be the strenght of economy of the state.
Speaking in Ibadan at the 2022 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Folarin said the time the state progressed most was the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who priotised agriculture and education.
He maintained that for the state to get to its destination, there is need to go back to the basics which is agriculture, education and ICT.
“Oyo State has over 28,454 square kilometers. 85 percent of the land is arable; we need to build our economy around it. We need to begin to plan for the future, my deputy is an agricultural expert, we shall look at crop we have comparative advantage in, such as mango, cassava and cashew; we are going to set up a very sophisticated value system, our strenght is in agriculture, we must create wealth to solve our people’s problem.”
He charged people in the state never to allow money to be major parameter that determines who to vote for in 2023 general elections.
He said for Oyo State to move forward and be better, citizens should take critical look at some factors like background, love, patrotic tendencies and competence before voting their preffered candidates, warning that people cannot afford another experience towards disintegration of Nigeria, saying unity of the nation lies on people’s strength.
“We need detribalised leaders who will look at the challenges of insecurity objectively and realistically at the helm of affairs to alllow people go about their daily engagements as evident in some states where few aspiring national leaders come from.
“To me, good governance requires leaders with adequate exposure, outstanding antecedent and experience, deep interactions with grassroots and education system that grows and nurtures enterpreneurship.”
“It’s time we recognise that for us to have a Nigeria of our dream, we need to be more responsible, sensitive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.”
Folarin declared that he would defeat the incumbent Seyi Makinde to secure the government house in 2023.
While speaking further, the lawmaker stated that it will be difficult for states to develop if exclusives list still remains in the constitution. He insisted that most of the problems in the country emanated from the inclusion of exclusive list in the constitution.
“For instance, it will be very difficult for a policeman from Akwa Ibom State to police Orita challenge area of Ibadan effectively because he comes from a different culture and speaks different language from the people of the area”.
“The problem is the exclusive list. It is not possible for states to work on the same page.
“You brought a policeman from Akwa Ibom state to protect people at Orita challenge in Ibadan. It cannot work.
“We have to loosen the constitution. If we discover crude oil at this press centre, it becomes the property of the federal government. How do you want states to develop in that way?
“By 2040, we will have cars that will not use petroleum. So our crude oil will not be useful because we will not have market again.
“A lot of things need to be done to move this country forward. We have to unbundle the constitution. We have to remove the exclusive list from the constitution.
“Thank God, we are excited about the emergence of Tinubu and Shettima.”
The chairman of the occasion, Barr. Sharafadeen Ali urged journalists to be fair and accurate in their reporting particularly during and after the 2023 elections which according to him is one of the determinant of the existence of the nation.
Alli worried about impending violence that might likely come up in forthcoming election in Oyo State allegedly initiated by PDP in the state through defacing of APC bill board across the state, saying that failure to desist from the act might leads to faceoff between APC and PDP.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo NUJ chairman, Com Ademola Babalola applealed to politicians to thread softly during and after the 2023 general elections.
He frowned at tearing of opposition billboard across the state, saying politicians should play the game according to the rule, adding that the will of God shall prevail no matter how it can be.
He however said Oyo NUJ shall set up special platform for candidates vying for various posts for them to explain why and how their action plan to the people can be achieved for the greater good of our society.
At the event were Prince Niyan Adeyoju; former majority leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Subair; and Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan, former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor of the state, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina.
Others were Idris Abolaji Ajimobi, the guest lecturer, Dr. Oludayo Tade of the Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan; and NUJ Chairman, Ademola Babalola.
