The governorship candidate of the People’s Redemption Party in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Saliu Orisunlagba, has said if elected, he will outperform the incumbent governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke.
Orisunlagba, while speaking with journalists on his plans for the state in Osogbo on Friday, noted that Adeleke has been an improvement on the previous administrations in the state.
The medical doctor turned politician however said he has the capacity to be a better governor, and declared that youth, women empowerment, education and security will be given priority attention by his administration.
“There is a need for a change in Osun’s leadership. The current governor is not doing badly but I will do better, if elected governor. Osun will become better under my leadership. We are going somewhere, and we won’t stop until we get there.
“I want to see in no distance future when Osun will become the best state in Nigeria. It is a state where I used to be the best student in primary school, the best student in secondary school and today an outstanding medical doctor. I want to see my state becoming the best in Nigeria,” Orisunlagba said.
Highlighting some of his plans for the state, Orisunlagba said youth and women empowerment will be given priority attention, adding that the spill over effects of insecurity in neighboring states to Osun will also be addressed.
He added, “Security will also be taken seriously. From Osogbo, Osun State capital to Kwara state is about 40 minutes and we are all aware of what is happening in that state currently. Bandits have taken over some communities there, and they are our next door neighbor. We need to tighten our belts. We need to secure farmers across the state.
“Within the first few days of my assumption of office, youth empowerment will be a priority. Next to that is women empowerment. If you look critically at what is happening in Nigeria today, you will discover that women empowerment is directly related to the challenge of unemployment that we have in Nigeria. We want to empower market women and train them to enable them make a living.
“Education will also get priority attention. I am a medical doctor. If elected, I will be the first medical doctor to be elected Osun State Governor. I have gone through schools, getting distinctions from the primary school to the university. Today, we have children struggling to pass WAEC. The education sector has not fared well and I assure electorate that I will give the sector the deserved attention.”
The reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission said 14 political parties will be fielding candidates in the next Osun governorship poll.
Among them are the Accord, fielding Adeleke, while the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, is also in the race as the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress.
Another contender is Dr. Najeem Salaam, who is running on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.