By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure.
The Olu of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Afolabi Oladimeji, Odidiomo Akokoniko, the Larada of Igbokoda, Friday decried a situation where money determines who wins an election in Nigeria.
The issue of money in politics he said, was the architect of forming Council of Obas by traditional Rulers, a platform through which they could speak with one voice to register their demands to the appropriate quarters.
The Olu of Igbokoda said this while playing host to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Dr. Olu Agunloye and his campaign team in his palace.
According to him, until Nigerians shun money bag politicians, and support candidates who had not soiled their hands in public offices, poverty shall continue to prevail in the land.
In their quest to get out of the situation even as another governorship election approaches, he said, Obas in his kingdom had resolved to direct their subjects to vote for a listening candidate with fear of God and shun those that will ”buy their conscience”.
He laments a situation where Obas receive less than N30, 000 a month in Ondo State, unlike what operates in Ekiti state where an average Oba receives ”fat pay” with brand new cars every three months.
According to him, part of the resolutions of the traditional Rulers includes readiness to vote for a candidate that has the interest to uplift the standard of traditional Rulers and the people.
He however commended Dr. Agunloye for deciding to contest on the platform of a political party that has no crisis, adding that running the race with SDP ticket is a welcomed development.
He also sounded prophetic as he said, ”Agunloye has been ordained by God, I never doubt his ability to rule the state for the next four years since he is a man of integrity”.
Earlier in his address, Dr. Agunloye assured that those abandoned legacies of the former Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu such as water, electricity among others shall be resuscitated as soon as he assumed power.
Other part of his programmes he said, include Empowering the Youths to be self sufficient and employers of labour so that they could also sustain food security to cushion the effect of poverty if not total eradication of it.
At Odo-Nla, Oba Alagho said he has to relocate his palace to Igbokoda since Odo-Nla Kingdom is not habitable, saying, there is no road network, portable water and electricity among other major life saving amenities.
While pledging their readiness to cast their votes for Dr. Agunloye, he appealed to him to make the kingdom habitable his priority when he becomes the Governor.
In response, Dr. Agunloye disclosed that his government shall resuscitate the Marine Economy by connecting the kingdom to National grid.
He appealed to the people to give him their maximum support by coming out in large numbers to vote for him on November 26, 2016 and to go and collect their permanent voters cards without which they will not be allowed to vote.
