Osun 2022: Adeleke Absent, as Oyetola, Lasun Debate
By Kabir Akintayo
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the July 16 Osun governorship poll, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was on Wednesday night conspicuously absent as governorship candidates of four political parties unveiled their manifestos at a debate organised by the Arise Television.
Those in attendance were; Adegboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress, Lasun Yusuf of Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of Social Democratic Party and Akin Ogunbiyi of the Accord Party.
While the Adeleke Campaign Organisation did not offer any explanation for his absence, efforts to reach its officials proved abortive.
While the three other candidates promised to create jobs through mining and agriculture, Oyetola said the investment drive of his administration has attracted 10 new industries into the state.
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Ogunbiyi said he would leverage the Federal Government policy on artisanal mining to create jobs, recruit more teachers, within six months, and conduct local government elections which he said would lead to creation of about 4000 new jobs.
He also added that 100,000 jobs would be created through agriculture, agro-allied industries, mining and education sectors.
Omigbodun, who promised to expand the tax net using Information Communication Technology, also promised not to increase taxes.
Speaking on his plans on security, Oyetola said Amotekun not being able to bear arms remained a major challenge and called for creation of state police.
He said, “Amotekun is a novel creation to take care of issues of kidnapping, illegal mining and cultism. Though, presently, they cannot bear arms, which is a major challenge.
“I do not subscribe to individuals carrying guns, but I believe the Constitution should be amended to accommodate state police before proceeding to individuals carrying guns.”
Lasun Yusuf who aligned with Oyetola, also said Amotekun has done well, and called for decentralisation of police.
Ogunbiyi and Omigbodun, however, said Amotekun could do better than its present performance, and rejected the idea of citizens bearing arms.
