OGUN ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE DENIES STEPPING DOWN FOR BURUJI KASHAMU

The Yewa born politician said, he has no godfathers in the politics, but God has been his father and was optimistic that, he would become the next Governor of the State,stating that he cherish the peoples’ trust and confident of victory at the polls.

‘These desperate individuals in the political space are circulating fake news that AD has adopted the gubernatorial candidate of another party. As a progressive party comprising of the most credible set of candidates in Ogun State’s political history, let it be known to the world that we will not sell the people’s trust and mandate given to us to contest and represent them for a morsel of cheap bread. We cannot be associated with individuals who are wanted by local and international law’,Olufade stated

He explained that, this press conference has become expedient for us as critical stakeholders in this democratic process and the only real progressive party in Ogun State, adding that the Alliance for Democracy( AD’s) philosophy is believe in God, unity, and a just and egalitarian society.

‘We are about peace, justice and progress; however, we are quite concerned that recent happenings in our polity, particularly in Ogun State as witnessed by many does not foster peace and progress. In the Alliance for Democracy, we have three key commitments; a political commitment that seeks to create wealth, breed a new, morally upright, and credible political class with the capacity to provide qualitative leadership’.

‘The second commitment is an economic commitment that seeks to increase efficiency and productivity in all sectors, enhance investment environments, and strengthen SMEs. Thirdly is a social commitment that aims to improve social welfare, security, grant free education and healthcare, stem brain drain and gainfully engage our youths.

Penpushing further reports that the Information and Communication Technology expert ,said his vision for Ogun State is a self-sustaining State on the path of consistent, growth in critical human, capital and economic indicators year on year; a place where everyone desires to live, work and play.

He pointed out that, as Governor he will achieve this through simple governance principles, using innovation and technology, stressing that as a  child and growing up,  Ogun State he knew was the best in Nigeria in terms of human capital development, industry and education.

‘Today, our beloved state has declined to become the poorest in the Southwest with a 29.7% poverty rate, education decline of over 20%, an abysmal doctor to patient ratio of 1:6,000, deplorable state of roads in over 70% of the State and high unemployment at over 28%’.

‘We are a distant third in terms of revenue generation in Nigeria and doing very poorly in terms of fiscal sustainability. Urban and suburban development is at a halt, environmental sustainability, agriculture and mineral resources derivation is suboptimal. The Alliance for Democracy Government will change this tide to a positive and sustainable one.  

The Candidate said, it is time for a new thing; a government that is driven by committed, capable, credible young people with a commitment to serve both at the executive and legislative arm, boasting that Alliance for Democracy is the only party in the State today with these characteristics.

‘We have no godfather. We will ensure youth employment; we will cater to the civil service and provide good welfare, we will bring back free education, free healthcare, rapid rural development and restoration of our pride in industry and agriculture. Our women, our mothers, are critical for socioeconomic viability of the family; we will ensure their trades are supported for better profitability’.

He pointed out that, some political parties want to prevent these from happening to the State., and  want to make the State worse and not livable,as well to  perpetuate poor governance and impoverishment of the people.

‘Who are they? The parties that are perpetuating fraud, buying votes, shooting, maiming, and threatening everybody.  At the recently concluded National Elections, the APM, APC and PDP impersonated AD agents across most of the polling units in the state’.

‘We found out, arrested a few of the impersonators, and reported to INEC, the police and the SSS. The perpetrators are being investigated and will be brought to book. We are a lawful party made up of credible candidates, we will not condone electoral fraud. We are aware they have more sinister plans for the forthcoming election on the 9th March. They will fail at it’, he declared.

‘ In the desperate quest to prevent the Alliance for Democracy from winning in the forthcoming election, they keep tearing our posters, destroying our boards and publicity materials and even buying up appearance slots in media houses to mute us or prevent us from talking’.

‘As the flagbearer of the party, my security has been threatened and breached a few times by unscrupulous elements. I am being careful and fearful but will neither cower nor back out. No retreat, no surrender. They may have money and godfathers; we have God and the people; God is my Father’.

The Alliance for Democracy flagbearer  assure all the party supporters and well-wishers across the length and breadth of the State that there is and will be no  adoption of any candidate, stating that  It is a lie and fake news being peddled by mischievous elements in our polity.

‘We call on the Federal Government, INEC, Security Agencies, observer groups, CSOs, and well-meaning political parties to ensure the upcoming election in Ogun State is free, fair and credible. INEC and security Agencies are particularly requested to be non-partisan, just and fair in their conducts.

‘The just concluded national elections were fraught with a lot of fraud, irregularities and violence, this should not repeat itself. We have evidence of vote buying, falsification of results, prevention of party agents from signing result sheets and intimidation. INEC and Security agencies have a responsibility to restore the hope of the electorate in the power of the ballot’.

Penpushing also reports that, the candidate called on electorates to  come out and vote out these unscrupulous elements in our political space,stressing that their  vote is their power,and should not vote for parties that have so far demonstrated violence, thuggery and disrespect for constituted authority.

‘Stoning the President of the Federal Republic is an affront and disrespect to the constitution of the Federal Republic and protocols of God Almighty. Enough of godfatherism in Ogun State. Vote for Alliance for Democracy. We are here to restore hope and a better life’

Meanwhile, other candidates of the party at the press conference include; Shosaniro Olalekan(Sagamu Constituency 2 Assembly),Awomuti Adebowale(Ikenne Constituency Assembly),Olumide Awolowo(Abeokuta South Constituency 1 Assembly),Bimbola Saka(Ijebu Central Federal Constituency),Kayode Aderemi(Odeda Constituency Assembly),Adeyemi Temitope(Abeokuta South 2 Assembly),as well as Ewekoro Youth Group and Student Structure Group,Ewekoro