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.