Adekunle Akinlade, the governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Ogun state has assured all the workers and residents in the state that his approach to issues and governance will be different from that of Governor Ibikunle Amosun whom he is preparing to take over from.
Akinlade, who is governorship candidate preferred by Governor Amosun to be his successor, said although he would take after Governor Amosun in terms of the developmental projects undertaken by the governor and not queuing after him in terms of approach to issues, style of governance and general administration of the state.
The governorship candidate of APM, while addressing members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday,
recalled how he facilitated the upgrade and employment of workers in the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) when he was Special Assistant to the Governor on Taxation, declared that the welfare of workers and residents of the state would be his priorities.
He said, “I have always been people friendly all my time with Ogun state government, I established a very good relationship with those I worked with in OGRIS
“Some of them had been on casual for as much as 7 years and there was an opportunity for employment, I pushed it to the governor and instead of employing new staff, hundreds of them were confirmed and elevated.
“I am under 50, I have passion for this State, I have worked with Amosun who has a very clear vision for Ogun state, I also have a clear vision for this state but we have a different approach.
“It is the same government and union, but the way we will approach our relationship would be different. I was a worker in that Administration of Amosun, I understand the challenges, but I learn many things. I want to assure us that I, Adekunle Akinalde, will have a different relationship with the union.
“I don’t want you to believe what I say here today until you find out about me in OGIRS and Women affairs Ministry. You need somebody that shares your vision, we can’t achieve anything without your support.”
Also, Sarafa Tunji Ishola, former Minister of Mines and Steel and Director General of APM governorship candidate, derived lack orderly succession and perpetual misunderstanding between two former governors – Segun Osoba, Gbenga and present Governor Amosun which he said, was responsible for retarted growth and development of the state.
Ishola, however declared that part of the conditions for which he tabled before the APM and its governorship candidate, is to reconcile the old, present and future in order to have much needed orderly and peaceful transition and succession plan as reconciliation of former governors and present governor and even future governors will bring desired political and socioeconomic development to the state.
RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta
