From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Some major roads in Osogbo, Osun State, were, yesterday, shut for hours during the presidential campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
All the roads that led to Nelson Mandella Freedom Park, venue of the programme, were closed from Gbodofon to Olaiya Flyover to Old Garage.
Addressing party members and loyalists, Atiku promised that he would start the war against insecurity and unemployment on the first day he assume office as president.
He commended the people of Osun for voting PDP into power, adding, “I believe by returning PDP to power at the federal level, you will strengthen this authority because a Federal Government controlled by PDP and state government controlled by PDP in Osun is to the greater good of you all.
“Our only objective is to make sure that current challenges of insecurity, disunity, economic deprivation, lack of jobs to our youths and the future of this country through restructuring can be achieved, these I promise you. I am going to start doing them from day one in the office.
“It means empowering Osun State with more resources in authority to do what needs to be done. What need to be done is to provide the infrastructure needed for development, invest in education, and healthcare, and bring about industrialization for the economic benefit of the people of Osun.
“I appeal to you to come out in great numbers as you did in the last state election and vote PDP in the next year’s election. That is the only way you can secure your future and that of your children. We will not fail you. We are not like APC. We have done it before, we got the experience and capacity to bring the needed changes. We are not new as far as governance is concerned in Nigeria,” Atiku added.
He assured traditional rulers of a place in the scheme.
Atiku, who paid a visit on some traditional rulers including the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, said his plan for the traditional institution was to ensure they have a constitutional role to play.
Governor Ademola Adeleke assured the people that Atiku would end kidnapping if elected, saying the experience he has garnered as vice president would help him to deliver good governance.
National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, welcomed the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, to the PDP.