The All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Barrister Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli, has disclosed that the present administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde has destroyed the pacesetter state’s economy, thereby making it totally indebted.
He disclosed this while featuring on YS live with Yemi Sonde at Yes 101.7 FM Ibadan.
He claimed to have held various positions and run for the state’s senate and governorship, making him a formidable figure in state politics.
However, he disclosed how he, along with some political bigwigs in the state, formed the coalition that enthroned Governor Seyi Makinde before he became hostile to all the people who helped him become governor.
“We never knew that the governor would become an emperor because our initial intention was to support him so that we could all gather the experience to move the state forward, but everybody could see what he had become,” Alli said.
I have served as Chief of Staff and secretary to the state government. I pray to God to help me get into the senatorial position so that I can serve my people in Oyo South.
While answering questions in the programme, Barrister Alli hinted that he had advised the governor several times but that the governor did not listen to all the advice. We met several times, mostly at night, to distribute positions among the coalition, but the governor disregarded it.
“I did not lobby for any position, but we said that he should accommodate some of our followers who reposed their trust in us, but he failed to fulfill the gentleman’s agreement.”
“God has been faithful to me over the years in Oyo State. We have called their attention, but at the beginning of this current administration, we had noticed some trends and decided to refrain from giving advice.
He insisted that in this coming election, PDP might not emerge for the second term, APC would win the Oyo state gubernatorial election in 2023, and the APC candidate, which is Senator Teslim Folarin, has the capability and credibility to make Oyo State great; he is a great politician than others; he won the senatorial election thrice in Oyo state. People benefitted from him while he was a senator. You need the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) to contest as a governor. Whether we like it or not, the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi has greatly impacted roads and infrastructure. Rasheed Ladoja’s tenure was the best in Oyo State. Senator Abiola Ajimobi brought the benefits because of the leading party at the federal level then.
Alli further disclosed that the intervention funds were being shared among themselves, while other benefits were restricted from outsiders. Governor Seyi Makinde is trying his best. But we are dwelling in debts in Oyo state. The current administration has been in total debt compared to Ajimobi’s two terms.
Sarafadeen Alli stressed further that any emergency meeting the House of Assembly conducted was based on loans.
It was seventy billion naira before, but now it is between two hundred and fifty billion naira and three hundred billion naira, for three and a half years. It’s not hidden; Oyo State is in total debt.
Speaking about the loans the government took for the Eruwa and Akufo projects, the Oyo State senatorial district is my motive. You can invite Teslim Folarin to get better facts from him, Sarafadeen said.
As the Oyo South senatorial candidate, I thank God because I have tried in Oyo State. You can also relate to what you have read about me in my achievements in Oyo State. I had more experience than other contestants; it is not by my power but God’s.
Alli, who reinstated that he cannot negotiate the ticked given to him by the APC, said that other contestants from the other parties who were his younger brothers formally in the same party may come after him because it is the survival of the fittest.
Sarafadeen Alli said that we should appreciate the northern governors because they supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu in becoming the next president of Nigeria in 2023.
“They are willing to know the votes count from North West, North East, and South West for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They also supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but while the southwest neglected him, the northerners benefitted from Obasanjo’s first tenure. Now, we are bringing the benefits to the Southwest. If we all support Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria will be great again because Nigeria’s economy is bad.
“President Muhammadu Buhari moved a train station from Daura to Marandi. No one would question our authority if we can do ours from Benin Republic.
“We are ready to adjust the Nigerian constitution and constitutional amendments to better our dear country. The bill has been passed to the House of Assembly, but nothing has been done. There should be public consultation on our needs in different states. Many governors feast on local government funds. If we can revisit and plan the Constitution, the local government would be more relevant and powerful. We have to adopt the third tier of government. We shall also discuss VAT and IGR. Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo State have the most VAT in Nigeria; there would be nothing special if we could get VAT devolution.
Sarafadeen said that if elected, Tinubu would not let the people down because his plans for Nigerians, especially the masses, were very good. Tinubu did not get any contracts from the current administration at the federal level, which is why he said it clearly on air: “E gbe kini yi wa, emilokan.” APC members are considerate when it comes to one voice, while Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the speaker for APC as the APC presidential candidate. We shall also bring the federal benefits to our senatorial district. For instance, Ibarapa is blessed with farming, and farmers in that area can access farming equipment.
“There are no adequate securities at Ibarapa. I will try my best to support my colleagues in the House of Representatives and also my brother, Senator Kola Balogun, in their efforts on securities at Ibarapa.
“Governors should make more efforts to obtain quality ammunition for amateurs. State police should be created so that amateurs can merge with them. Traffic wardens, created in 1977, are more advanced than before.
“There are electricity issues at Ibarapa after Igboora to Igangan. The exclusive list in the Constitution caused the electricity issues. The government should focus on basic needs, not unnecessary ones. People can go to any length to satisfy their tastes if there is money. Electricity has been a menace to most companies in Nigeria, and many of the owners have relocated to Ghana to improve their products.
“Skills acquisition is also important in the lives of our youth. We have to engage the youth in different forms. Senator Teslim Folarin brought skill acquisition to the University of Ibadan. There is also training going on in IAR&T at Moore Plantation Ibadan.
“Tourism, sports, and entertainment also generate money. So, in this course, we must encourage our youths to participate in different skills. We need to catch them young; some skills acquisition attracts foreign exchange, and we shall give more support to education and infrastructure. We campaigned with Wells, and when I was campaigning for council chairman, even some areas referred to them as Sarafa’s wells (Konga sarafa). Currently, we are far beyond boreholes.”
Barrister Alli said a politician like him does not have reasons to lie.
“Tinubu has laid good foundations on APC, which is why people look up to him as the incoming president of Nigeria. I can also say President Buhari also tried his best regarding infrastructure. For instance, the Lagos/Ibadan expressway started during Jonathan’s regime but has now been completed by this current administration. It’s quite a pity that we could not afford quality ammunition.
“There are no more Boko Haram; we just have to put more effort into conquering the bandits. Millions of people benefitted from Npower and traders’ money. It should not be one-sided. We must all enjoy our country’s mineral resources; they’re not meant for Northerners alone.”
Sarafadeen Alli said he would ensure that many people have easy access to jobs nationwide.
“As the local government chairman, I could employ many people. Today, they are administration, supply, works, finance, and accounts directors.
“We shall also fulfil our promises and ask what we have done so far out of the promises we made on air. We shall score more than pass mark, if not excellence, by the special grace of God,” Sarafadeen Alli said.
