Oyo 2027 gov'ship: Soun Prince, Bayewuwon, seeks Ogbomoso APC leaders' backing, support for Tinubu's re-election

Oyo 2027 gov’ship: Soun Prince, Bayewuwon, seeks Ogbomoso APC leaders’ backing, support for Tinubu’s re-election

Niyi AJALA

Prince Kayode Oyetunde Bayewuwon Tuesday met with leaders of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ogbomoso zone to solicit their support for his ambition to occupy the Oyo state Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, come 2027.

Speaking at the the party’s secretariat at Apake, Prince Bayewuwon expressed his preparedness towards realising the goal and urged Oyo state people to support his aspiration.

Also, Prince Bayewuwon asked APC leaders and Nigerians in general to rally behind President Bola Tinubu in his second term bid.

Fondly called ”PKOB” he disclosed he is developing a comprehensive policy which will become his roadmap to transform Oyo state.

A prince of the Soun ruling dynasty of Ogbomoso, he disclosed he would among others ensure local government with financial autonomy is restored.

“Local government funds will return to local governments under me,” he declared. “₦400m monthly is not a small amount. The money will return to the local government. And then we will begin to see developments from the grassroots upward.”

PKOP

An accountant, he likewise unveiled his programmes on youth, health, education and infrastructural development. “l promise that many other policies regarding our young people, education, health etc will be implemented. Look at all our teaching hospitals here, l am thinking because l am an accountant, we are working out the numbers, people from the retirement age upward and toddlers would enjoy free healthcare.”

“As l speak we are developing a comprehensive manifesto. We have many programmes, for women, artisans and in all strata of society.”

Tunde Oloyede APC senatorial district chairman

The politician exuding confidence and conviction underlined he is giving hope and not regret. “You won’t regret it if you support me. I offer hope.”

He also asserted, “Women, youths and people living with disabilities will get 40% of government positions, that is a guarantee.”

Among party leaders present at the event were Hon Remi Odetomi (a former 3-term chairman of Ogbomoso South local government and former commissioner), Hon Joshua Bamigboye (former chairman Oriire local government and immediate past lawmaker who represented the constituency), Hon Tunde Oloyede (APC Oyo North senatorial chairman), Hon Adekoyejo Oyelaran (a former full time commissioner Oyo state Teaching Service Commission TESCOM and Oyo state representative at the Public Complaints Commission, the Ombudsman, from Ogo-Oluwa local government); Barrister Dapo Atanda (a former member of Governing Council Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH); Hon Tunde Adeleke also from Ogo Oluwa; Hon Wale Adebayo from Igbon/Gambari, Surulere local government; and Hon Adeleke Olutayo, the APC secretary, Ogbomoso South.

Expressing support for Prince Bayewuwon’s ambition, the leaders implored him to work hard towards galvanizing support across the state.

Cross section of party leaders

The guber aspirant who also asserted President Bola Tinubu would go for a second term and that Ogbomoso is behind the second term bid appealed for support for the dream.

Speaking with newsmen the Soun prince admitted there was a lot of mileage to be covered but assured of his competence.

This is as he reiterated his commitment to developing a comprehensive policy, “This will cover health, education, infrastructural development and a lot of areas – commerce, agriculture, everything.

“Yes, l am aware a lot of other people will come out to contest but when l begin to unfold what l have in store, people will be convinced. We are supposed to be leader, and we will make it so.”

On local government autonomy, he noted the job was already done saying as governor he would allow its implementation.

“His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants local governments to be free, funded directly from the federal government, and that is what we are going to effect. It’s lack of implementation is why you see all the deficits in roads and other infrastructures.

“Also, we will employ young people across, when local governments begin to get their money, developments will spread.”

Addressing the concern about the governorship ambition of Senator Fatai Buhari, incumbent senator representing Oyo North, who is also from Ogbomoso, PKOB stated, “Senator Buhari is my leader and we have many party leaders like him in our five local governments, and in the state. The main purpose is to develop our state, so ambition comes second. l am on talking terms with him, when the time comes we will settle it.”

He meanwhile dismissed the challenge of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) being flocked by opposition elements in the country insisting APC remains the party to beat. “We have the numbers, we are the party to beat. What happened in Ibadan North is quite unfortunate but as l speak with you, our leaders are meeting, they are diagnosing what actually happened and will come up with a solution and that solution is going to be a winning solution for the entire state.”

Calling for support for President Tinubu, he submitted, “l will tell you something, the economy is like an oil tanker when things are bad. An oil tanker is not a vehicle that can do a 360 turn, it takes a long time, and if you look at some of the things the president is doing they are things that will revive the economy. He removed oil subsidy, that means 60% increase in revenue to states and local governments. Local governments as we speak are getting upward of ₦400m. So also, the student loan, a policy for our students in higher institutions, these are some of the things that the president is doing to cushion the effects of the (temporary) hardship.

“The federal government is definitely getting more revenues and is sending the revenues to the states and local governments, to the grassroots, to the wards and people will begin to see the effects.”

He concluded by urging people of voting age to obtain their voter’s card to make them eligible for the next elections.

Hon Tunde Oloyede the senatorial party chairman affirmed in a chat that “Prince Bayewuwon from the look of him is capable.”