Why we regret supporting Ajimobi in 2015 – Oyo traders, artisans, others

Hundreds of traders, artisans and professional bodies from the 33 local government areas in Oyo state on Wednesday declared that they are now regretting their support for the second term aspiration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state in 2015.

The angry men and women said that they regret the use and dump syndrome infected with the myriad of unfulfilled promises and marginalization of its members by the Abiola Ajimobi-led administration.

They expressed their displeasure during the swearing ceremony of the state executive officers of Itesiwaju-Oyo Coalition Movement which was held in Ibadan, the state capital.

First Vice President of National Automobile Technician Association (NATA), Comrade Samuel Odewale who spoke on behalf of thousands of traders, artisans and professional bodies in the state lamented that Ajimobi marginalised them after they supported his reelection bid in 2015.

Odewale while speaking, said it was expedient for the rank and file of the group and professional bodies in the state to actively get involved in the next general elections.

Odewale rued the “continued neglect of the members of the group by the ruling government in spite of the spirited efforts of the teeming affiliates of the group in the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections”.

He said, “Towards the build-up to the election of Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2011, I got summoned to Felele residence of the late former Governor, Lam Adesina by the leadership of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN with the aim of gathering the support of the state executives and members of the NATA “.

“At the scene, in the presence of Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, the then state General Secretary , I boldly told the congregation that the gubernatorial candidate of the party was not a promise keeper having earlier deceitfully reneged those he made before and during his spells in the senate. But due to the persuasions by late Alhaji Lam Adesina and other respected leaders in attendance, I budged and we religiously worked for the emergence of Ajimobi .

“Throughout the first term of Governor Ajimobi, none of the individual and collective promises made to the umbrella body of artisans, traders and other bodies was fulfilled.

“If our inputs to his reelection as stated by me were ruse, the solidarity rally we staged and organised in 2016 when the social and economic conditions of the state was run aground by the industrial actions by the state civil servants to counter them was part of the incontrovertible testimonies our undying zeal and unflinching support to the government.

“Having been well rooted in the electoral matters and in a bid to have a people-oriented government in place through the next electioneering opportunity, we have resolved to adopt a credible political platform with reliable people to work with so as to redefine the social and economic tune of the state through our members’ involvement “.

Coordinator of Itesiwaju-Oyo Coalition Movement, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun added that, “The group has renounced its allegiance to the ruling APC and switched to the projects of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)”.

Olatunbosun said that decision arrived at on Wednesday during a meeting with the state executive officers and prominent leaders of the party.

Among the dignitaries present at the event include Senator representing Oyo Central, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, Dr. Remi Oseni, Dr. Kola Balogun and Senator Olufemi Lanlehin.