The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator (Dr.) Sharafadeen Alli, has unveiled a comprehensive governance blueprint, promising to reposition the state through responsive leadership, grassroots development, improved education, agricultural transformation, quality healthcare, enhanced security, infrastructure renewal and improved workers’ welfare if elected.
Speaking on Monday during the “A Day With BSA” programme held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Senator Alli said his administration would implement people-oriented policies designed to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and ensure equitable development across the state.
The APC governorship candidate pledged to fully implement local government autonomy in line with the provisions of the Constitution, describing grassroots governance as the foundation for sustainable development.
According to him, local government councils under his administration would be empowered to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities, including agriculture, food production, rural development, security and community infrastructure.
Alli promised to restore subventions and running grants to local government councils to facilitate the rehabilitation of council roads, strengthen neighbourhood watch and vigilante groups, and enable councils to independently execute projects that directly impact the lives of residents.
On education, the APC standard bearer assured the people of comprehensive reforms across primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to restore confidence in the state’s education sector.
He disclosed that consultants currently managing tertiary institutions would be disengaged, while governing councils would be allowed to function in accordance with their enabling laws.
The governorship candidate further promised to reduce classroom sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils, recruit more qualified teachers, rehabilitate educational facilities and restore school subventions.
He also pledged to revive school farms in rural communities and establish new technical colleges across the state’s three senatorial districts to promote vocational and technical education among young people.
Speaking on agriculture, Senator Alli said his administration would establish commodity boards, provide farmers with tractors, fertilizers and other farm implements to increase food production and improve agricultural productivity.
He added that cottage industries would be established to process agricultural produce, while guaranteed off-takers would be created to support farmers and provide employment opportunities for young agripreneurs.
In the health sector, Alli promised to ensure that every ward in the state has a functional primary healthcare centre, while every local government area would have a well-equipped general hospital.
He also pledged the recruitment of more doctors, nurses and other medical personnel to improve access to quality healthcare services across Oyo State.
Addressing security concerns, the APC candidate promised to strengthen neighbourhood watch and vigilante groups through improved welfare packages, operational vehicles and modern security equipment to complement conventional security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
He said his administration would also prioritize road rehabilitation and the provision of potable water across urban and rural communities, noting that schools, hospitals, markets and other public institutions would benefit from improved water supply.
Alli further promised greater government support for artisans, market associations and other trade groups as part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and expand economic opportunities for residents.
For workers and retirees, the APC candidate assured civil servants of prompt payment of salaries before the 25th day of every month, regular recruitment into the public service and continuous capacity development programmes.
He also pledged prompt payment of pensions and gratuities as well as the restoration of the 13th-month salary for workers.
On sports development, Senator Alli said his administration would revive grassroots sporting competitions and construct standard stadiums across the state’s six geopolitical zones.
He also promised increased government support for Shooting Stars Sports Club and other football clubs operating in Oyo State.
Speaking on the internal affairs of the APC, the governorship candidate expressed confidence that grievances arising from the party’s governorship primary election would soon be resolved.
“It is not out of place to see aggrieved aspirants in a strong political party like the APC, which paraded an array of well-qualified and competent individuals who showed interest in contesting for the party’s ticket.
“I want to assure you all that grievances from the fallout of the gubernatorial primary election of the party in the state would soon be resolved,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, said the union remained apolitical and was committed to its constitutional responsibility as an agenda setter for good governance.
Abas noted that the council would provide equal opportunity for all governorship candidates in the state to present their manifestoes and governance blueprints to the people ahead of the election.
The event was attended by the APC deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Adesoji Adedeji, the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Moses Adeyemo, members of the state executive committee, party leaders and a large number of supporters.
