Date: 2015-03-23

Royal fathers in Kwara South senatorial zone have bemoaned the dilapidated state of roads linking their various communities even as they prayed for peaceful conduct of the coming elections.

Receiving Senator Simeon Ajibola, the PDP gubernatorial candidate and his campaign team in their various domains, The Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mustapha Gbadamosi; Elese of Igbaja, Oba Ahmadu Awuni; Oloro of Oro-Ago, Oba Johnson Dada and Olora of Ora, Oba Samuel Adebayo expressed their frustration on the seeming neglect of their constituencies in the provision of socio-economic amenities.

Oba Gbadamosi decried the long delay in re-constructing the road linking the state capital through Ajasse-Ipo to Offa and despite assurances from the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, the royal father advised politicians to strive and keep to their promises.

"Let me advice politicians to be mindful of promises they make and try to keep them. After every term, they will go back to the people to seek their votes. We pray to God to give us good government. There is a lot of work to do in Kwara, although we know that one administration cannot solve all the problems," Oba Gbadamosi said.

Oba Awuni, Arepo 11, said economic growth of his domain had been adversely affected by bad intra and inter- community roads. He emphasized that while royal fathers cannot play politics, they have a duty to pray for good governance. He also offered royal blessings to Senator Ajibola and other PDP candidates contesting various elections.

Oba Dada listed bad roads and youth unemployment as the bane of his community. He also decried the sorry state of the road linking Oke-Ode to his place. "Our development is stunted because we lack amenities. Water from borehole is inadequate for this community," he said and charged Senator Ajibola not to forget their interest when he assumes office.

Oba Adebayo Raji prayed for peace, fairness, justice and good governance in the state and told his visitors that the road linking his community is their priority.

In his campaign message at Offa, Oyun, Iepodun, Ifelodun, Oke Ero and Ekiti local government areas, Senator Ajibola warned that the return of APC government in Kwara State will perpetuate political slavery and bad governance even as he accused the state government of non-performance and stealing of money due to local councils in the state. Specifically, he said the present government had withheld funds accruing to local councils from the federation account, thereby rendering them useless and ineffective in developing rural communities.

"This administration has been stealing funds due to local governments. In February, they gave Baruten N1.8m from its N154m and gave Irepodun N1.2m from N110m.They didn’t care that elections are near; this is sheer impunity and we must stop that now," Senator Ajibola told large crowd of people at Offa, Erin Ile, Omu Aran, Share, Igbaja, Oro Ago and Iloffa.

He also described the coming elections as a "fight for freedom, true democracy and good governance" in the state even as he urged Kwarans to return President Goodluck Jonathan in the interest of fairness and political stability in the country.

He promised to ensure construction of vital roads linking various communities, provide potable water and free education in primary and secondary schools. He also pledged to accord respect to traditional rulers and run a responsible government if elected.

At Igbaja, Deacon Joseph Oyebanji, on behalf of the community, assured PDP of its massive support and the success of all its candidates in the elections. He bemoaned the neglect of most towns in Kwara South, emphasizing that "Igbaja has benefitted little or nothing from the local and state governments; we do not have a standard hospital, no single township road is motorable and our water is untreated."