PDP Will End Era of Hardship, Restore Grassroots Development — Salako, Bankole, Alagbe 

By Tope Bankole

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have called on Nigerians to reject what they described as the hardship and economic difficulties associated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

Speaking at a PDP engagement in Ota, Alhaji Kabir Salako, popularly known as a.k.a Jagbadu, who served as chairman of the party for eight consecutive years, said the party remained committed to providing an alternative to what he described as the hardship confronting citizens across the country.

Salako, who also spoke on his emergence at the state level as a national delegate and his subsequent representation of Ado-Odo/Ota at the national level following the demise of his predecessor, said the prevailing economic situation had made it necessary for Nigerians to critically assess the performance of the APC administration.

He said the removal of fuel subsidy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had further increased the burden on ordinary Nigerians, arguing that citizens had experienced significant hardship under the APC-led government.

According to him, the time has come for Nigerians to use their votes to effect political change.

He cited the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as an example of the power of the electorate, saying that despite alleged efforts by the Federal Government to influence the outcome, voters ultimately determined the winner.

Salako expressed confidence that a similar development could occur in Ogun State, where he said the PDP was working to produce Kamarudeen Adedibu as the next governor of the state.

He maintained that the PDP had a lot to offer in the areas of infrastructure, grassroots development and improved welfare of the people.

Also speaking, Adedibu, during his engagement with party stakeholders and residents in Ota, outlined some of his plans for Ogun State if elected governor.

He visited the Yewa South/Ipokia and Yewa North/Imeko-Afon federal constituencies as part of his consultations and campaign activities, engaging various groups and stakeholders.

At a meeting with artisans at the residence of the late Akinde in Danbiowu, Ota, Adedibu promised to prioritise local government autonomy as a means of accelerating development at the grassroots.

He said greater autonomy for local governments would enable them to embark on development projects based on the needs of their communities, while also ensuring prompt payment of workers' salaries and gratuities.

Adedibu also identified the epileptic electricity supply in the state as one of the challenges his administration would seek to address.

He said he would explore international partnerships and travel abroad to attract investors and technical expertise into the electricity sector, with a view to improving power supply across Ogun State.

The PDP governorship hopeful further disclosed that his campaign would commence on July 9, after which he plans to launch a book outlining his vision and proposed development agenda for Ogun State.

He urged party members to remain united and develop effective internal strategies ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the PDP must avoid the mistakes that could undermine its chances at the polls.

In his remarks, Honourable Tunji Bankole said the PDP had historically demonstrated strong capacity in governance and administration.

Bankole expressed confidence that the party could provide a better alternative for Ogun State if given the opportunity to govern, describing the proposed PDP administration as one that would prioritise development and the welfare of the people.

The speakers consequently urged PDP members and supporters to remain mobilised and committed to the party's programmes ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Alhaji Fatai Alagbe, in his remarks, said the election of the PDP would usher in greater comfort and improved living conditions for the people. He added that the PDP had always been a government “of the people, by the people and for the people,” recalling the administration of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, during which, he said, the impact of government was felt across the state by citizens.