By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde has alerted that it will take the next 18 years for a succeeding government in Oyo state to pay up the alleged N157billion debt which the present administration has incurred in seven years.
Engineer Makinde, according to a statement issued by the Seyi Makinde organisation, signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, raised the alarm while speaking after being screened for the PDP governorship primary election.
The PDP governorship aspirant stressed that the legacy left behind by the out -going government in Oyo state was “deliberately designed to frustrate the vulnerable ones in the society and punish the poor. “
Engineer Makinde maintained that any candidate who believes he can ride on the back of Governor Ajimobi’s achievements lacks the compassion and capacity to make a difference in the lives of the common man, saying, “it will take the next 18 years for a succeeding government to pay up the alleged N157billion debt which this administration has incurred in seven years. “
The PDP governorship aspirant said as at present, “Oyo state ranks 30 in the comity of the 36 states in Nigeria that cannot sustain itself because it has a monthly N10billion expenditure and a monthly revenue of N6billion leaving a deficit level of N4billion.
“The implication of this figure is that the state sinks into further debt every month to fulfill its recurrent responsibilities in spite of increase in Statutory Allocations of N34billion from oil revenues and VAT of N1.3billion.
“Even if Governor Ajimobi turns a new leaf today and pay up all the outstanding debts owed the poor workers and pensioners, the damage has already been done.
Engineer Makinde noted that as a governorship aspirant, he has done his home work and with transparency and accountability which are currently lacking, and management of overheads, the situation can be reversed in two years, and that ” he is in the best position to turn around the fortunes of Oyo state because he is unblemished and has no God Father to mislead him to work against the interest of the masses”.