By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi has declared that his administration is now ready to conduct the long overdue local government election into the 33 councils in the state in July this year.
The governor who disclosed this in Ibadan while speaking at the inauguration of the 33 newly appointed council Caretaker Chairmen in the state quickly added that there will be no extension after the expiration of their tenure in July.
“Please note that nothing will keep you in office beyond four months, as we will be going into elections immediately afterwards. Therefore, use this opportunity to join hands with us to develop this state. Don’t betray the confidence reposed in you,” he said.
The Governor advised all the newly inaugurated caretaker Chairmen to discharge their duties with the fear of God to give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) an edge during the coming local government election across the 33 councils.
Specifically, the governor cautioned the Caretaker Chairmen to shun extravagant lifestyle, adding that their four months tenure was not to commit resources to naming, burial and marriage ceremonies at the expense of grassroots development.
Governor Ajimobi pointed out that “commonsense dictates that the lean resources accruable to the state and local governments should be committed to people oriented and legacy project”.
“Your appointment is an opportunity for you to dare and endure, not for ease and comfort. I enjoin you to be guided by the oath of office you just took, have the fear of God in whatever you do. If you fear God, you will not commit atrocities”.
Speaking after the inauguration, the Caretaker Chairman for Afijio Local Government Area, Mr. Lukumon Olasunkanmi Anwo promised to meet the yearning of the people amids dwindling revenue by prioritizing and consolidate on the capacity building to ensure optimum use of the available resources.
“One of our plans is to make sure we reduce the rate of mass unemployment in the local government, we know the economic situation of the country, we want to make sure that the youths are engaged in Agriculture, by providing them with what they need to have jobs in the area, we will employ them while the Agric department will supervise them for proper monitoring,” he said.
