The Ogun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria organised a debate for the state governorship candidates on Wednesday, SAMUEL AWOYINFA, was there
Many residents thronged the expansive auditorium of the African Church Solution camp, Sam Ewang Estate, Abeokuta, during the week to witness the interactive forum/public debate organised for the governorship candidates in Ogun State who are contesting in the rescheduled general elections next month. The debate took off at exactly 11.36am.
The governorship candidates are: Gboyega Isiaka (Peoples Democratic Party), Akin Odunsi (Social Democratic Party), Pastor Benjamin Onafadeji (National Conscience Party), Prof. Femi Bamgbose (All Progressives Grand Alliance) and Revd Olufolabi Adebayo (KOWA Party).
The incumbent governor, who is seeking re-election, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was conspicuously absent. The Unity Party of Nigeria governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Paseda, and his Labour Party counterpart, Mr. Abolaji Sunmola, also shunned the debate. No reason was given for their absence.
All the candidates spoke on why they were seeking election and how they would handle inter-religious affairs in the state.
Also, the governorship candidates did not waste time to mention their plans for the development of health sector and infrastructure in the state if elected.
They were also grilled on whether they supported the return of mission schools to their previous owners, among others.
From their presentations, the candidates tried to outwit one another, arguing to drive home their points.
On why he wanted to become governor, the SDP candidate, Akin Odunsi, said he was not only qualified to govern Ogun State but also equally eminently qualified to be president of the country. With a robust experience in integrated marketing communication, advertising specifically, and having practised both home and abroad, he said governing Ogun State would not pose any problem.
“I have managed human resources, and I’m a team player. Currently, Ogun lacks such team spirit. Ogun needs someone that will lead the state to the path of glory, which I stand to offer,” he said.
Isiaka, the PDP candidate, who had a background in investment banking, and had also headed Gateway Holdings for seven and a half years, also pointed out that he was passionate about the legacy of success and hope to be bequeathed to the future generation. He described Amosun’s performance as not the best for the state, saying the current government “does not give any attention to the needs of the people.
“I am passionate, we must change this,” he said.
The APGA candidate, Bamgbose, relied on his investment in the state as a campaign strategy. He said he established Yewa Central College of Education which has produced over 8,000 teacher-leaders over the years.
Stressing that he was not moved by any mercantile spirit, he said the institution charges the lowest fee among the teeming institutions of its kind in the state.
Bamgbose said, “I have investment in the state and I am a stakeholder here. So, I won’t run away. In my school, any orphan enjoys 100 per cent scholarship. I am not moved by profitability but by the spirit of service to the people.”
Adebayo of KOWA, a pastor, said his interaction with people through counselling propelled him to bring change to the people.
He said, “This had led me to know how much the pepper cost in the market, and how much the mechanic charges, among others. I have gone to the people and did my research.
“And people tell me that politicians don’t keep their promises. There is a lot of insincerity. I will introduce e-Government, which will monitor all those in government.”
The NCP’s Onafadeji claimed that he had robust experience in both private and public sectors to enhance effective governance.
He said, “The act of governance is important and whatever happened to the people depends on the leader. I have experience in both private and public capacities, this I will bring to bear on governance.”
On inter-faith and religious harmony, almost all the candidates said they would respect the secularity of the state by allowing all religions and traditions to thrive within the ambit of the law.
Isiaka said, “To achieve religious harmony, our administration will respect all religions and traditions within the ambits of the law.”
Odunsi, who said he is a Muslim, added that there are Christians among his family members and his business associates are mostly Christians. He also said there was no better example of religious tolerance and harmony.
“I will constitute inter-religious body where all faiths will converge and we will fashion out how to harmoniously relate,” he said.
Bamgbose, on his own part, noted that if the secularity in the nation’s constitution was respected, there won’t be any form of religious crisis.
“If we want harmony, we must give all religions their due recognition,” he said
On the provision of health care and potable water, short and long term measures were proffered.
While Odunsi said if elected, his own administration would revive water scheme and explore other integrated water supply systems in meeting the demands of the people, Isiaka put supply of water under emergency situation that require quick and direct intervention. He proffered both short term and long term solutions.
“For immediate intervention, we will sink boreholes. The main problem facing water supply in the state is that of generation and distribution. We need to get power. We will involve the private sector,” he said.
All the candidates promised to create employment through various schemes, such as agriculture and conducive business environment, among others.
The governorship candidates all agreed while unveiling their programmes to return the mission schools to their owners.
Odunsi, who said he was a product of the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, said the mission schools played important role in inculcating moral values in the young ones in the past.
He noted that the state erred when it took over the running of the mission schools from the religious organisations.
The SDP candidate assured that if elected, his administration would return the schools to the missionaries.
Bamgbose argued that the government should not only return the schools but also subsidise their running.
Isiaka, who similarly said he was part of the immediate past administration which returned the schools to the missionaries before the current government reversed the process, stated that if elected, his administration would hand them back to the religious bodies within the policy that would be fashioned out.
Isiaka added that within the first 100 days in office, he would convene an education summit to address the various challenges confronting the sector in the state.
Explaining why Amosun was not present at the debate, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said he was on his re-election campaign tour.
Olaniyonu said, “The campaign has been fixed since last month. As you know, we have followed our schedule religiously.
“Attending the debate will disturb the schedule. As you know, we are not afraid of debate. The governor is ready to discuss all issues relating to Ogun State.”
BY SAMUEL AWOYINFA
