The Gubernatorial candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the 2019 general elections in Oyo State, Barrister Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli has on Wednesday raised the alarm that the State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde had abandoned and relegated his party, ZLP in the scheme of things especially political patronages.
Alli made this declaration via a statement he personally signed, a copy of which was made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan, the state capital.
DAILY POST recalls that Alli, a former Secretary to Oyo State Government, was the gubernatorial candidate of the ZLP, one of the political parties that formed alliance with Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu during the March 9th gubernatorial election.
Alli of ZLP, Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), few days to the election jettisoned their ambitions and supported Makinde to win the election.
It was gathered that the trio were persuaded by a former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja to support Makinde. During a joint press conference addressed by the political gladiators in Ibadan where it was agreed to support Makinde, an agreement was said to have been reached by Makinde and those who jettisoned their ambitions.
But, nine months after the agreement was made, one of those who jettisoned their ambitions, Alli, has accused the Governor of his failure to fulfil his promises to his party, ZLP.
Alli who is the Ekefa Balogun of Ibadanland in the Ibadan traditional lineage, in his new year message, admonished all political leaders across the country to see the new year as a period to rededicate themselves to the cause of humanity.
Alli insisted that many issues like the new minimum wage for Oyo workers, better infrastructures, quality lives for our people, quality education, health care facilities, leap in agriculture and support for the traders and artisans among others will demand governor’s attention to make life worth living for citizens.
He alleged that his party, ZLP, has been largely abandoned and relegated in the scheme of things especially political patronages by Makinde.
Alli while urging Makinde to seize this moment and do the needful, reminded the Governor to go into retrospect and review the 2019 political coalition agreement.
Alli said,”I wish to congratulate Governor Seyi Makinde as we enter into the new year 2020. The Governor should use the opportunity of the year to comprehensively rededicate himself to the electioneering promises to the people of Oyo State.
“Many issues like the new minimum wage for Oyo workers; better infrastructures; quality lives for our people; quality education; health care facilities; leap in agriculture; and support for the traders and artisans, among others will demand governor’s attention to make life worth living for citizens.
“A man’s word should also be his bond. The governor should go into retrospect and review our 2019 political coalition agreement. Our party, the ZLP had been largely abandoned and relegated in the scheme of things especially political patronages. The Governor should seize this moment and do the needful. I wish him the best as he pilot the affairs of our State for the better”.
While commending Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, for being a father to all, Alli also prayed God to grant all the traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin of Oyo; Olubadan of Ibadan; Soun of Ogbomoso and others, more strength to guide their respective domains to continuous peaceful coexistence.
Our correspondent recalls that Lanlehin had also in November said that Governor Seyi Makinde is yet to fulfill any of the promises made to him as contained in the gentleman’s agreement they reached. He earlier accused the Governor of failing in his promises.
