An aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Bosun Arebuwa, has described the All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration as the worst in the history of the state.
Arebuwa however called on the people of the state to watch out for a purposeful and business-oriented government in the state, if elected as the governor of the state.
He stated this during an interaction with journalists in Akure, the state capital, assuring that his administration will address critical issues of governance and furthering the development of the state. He added that his administration shall be a positive reference point in Nigeria.
The Ode-Aye born administrator said he is aspiring to serve so as to leave behind a legacy of excellent developments in education, health, youth empowerment, agribusiness, industrial growth and security among others.
The Chartered tax practitioner and Chartered accountant noted that the ruling APC government remains the worst in the history of the country, saying the only noticeable legacy is the destruction of the country’s economy and social life, while also foisting a regime of terror where the citizens are being killed and maimed daily.
He, however, stressed the need to leave a legacy of development and growth and the far from impressive performance of the APC government in Ondo State are major reasons for his aspiration.
He explained that “all a governor needs is to formulate and articulate, with the support of his party, clear and unambiguous policies, assemble a team of informed, competent, capable and clear headed professionals to run the vision, motivate and incentivise the workforce to deliver on the goals and targets set; mobilise, inspire and fire the imaginations of the populace to work hard for self and society and generally resonate with the masses for regular feedback on successes and weaknesses.
“That kind of governor and governance have been missing particularly in the last seven years in Ondo State.
“In fact, there seems to have been a pall of darkness under the APC government over our state. We bring light and with light comes freedom, growth and opportunities for personal and collective development.”
The Accountant turned politician said he is aspiring to serve so as to “leave behind a legacy of excellent developments in education, health, youth empowerment, agribusiness, industrial growth and security among others.”
According to him, he halted his campaign after declaring his aspirations last November in honour of the departed Governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu, but maintained that “the APC government in Ondo State has taken Ondo State to the lowest low in the socioeconomic ladder.
“They have almost destroyed our health infrastructure, disincentived education through unaccountable actions and decisions, personalised government and government institutions and generally demoralised the populace.”
He said the PDP government would be coming with policies, strategies and actions that will make government more open, more accountable and less expensive to run.
“We shall be working to entrench a new paradigm of functional and effective education through a combination of modern and nimbler school infrastructural reengineering on the basis of contemporary skill and professional needs,” Arebuwa said.
Arebuwa noted that each individual who had ruled the state since the advent of this democratic dispensation had played their parts and had distinguishing features, but said that the APC era has been the worst in terms of the high hopes, ethical standards and moral values they threw to the dustbin.
“Every government has played its part according to the capacity of the governor and team. For instance, Late Chief Adefarati was of the old school; punctual, modest and unassuming.
“The late Dr Olusegun Agagu who succeeded him displayed remarkable intellect in policy formulation and brilliance, Dr Olusegun Mimiko was pragmatic, people-oriented and showed clear disposition to socio-democratic ethos and ways and the just departed Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was bold and fearless in matters concerning the Yoruba people when occasion demanded.
“The truth however is that of all, the era that will be ending with the next election has been the worst in policy erudition, social transformation and prudency in the management of resources.”
Arebuwa added that “in all of the past 7 years, there has been no clear policy on infant and maternal health let alone general health. It has been a sleuth of disjointed actions that have taken us back.
“The APC government in Ondo state has treated health workers with disdain and total disregard hence the mass movement of doctors and nurses out of the employ of our state.
“The argument that this is a national reality falls flat when viewed against the fact that our own health workers are moving from our health institutions to neighbouring states where they are treated with more dignity and where facilities are more functional.
“At the apex health institution in Ondo State, diagnostic facilities have all but collapsed. While people were being referred from OAUTH, EKSUTH and the rest to UNIMED and the Trauma Centre before, the opposite is now the case!
“In education, our students are being made to pay more in our tertiary institutions with near zero improvement in infrastructure. At the secondary school level, no tangible improvements and or innovations have been recorded.
“Our primary schools have been returned to the analog era from the progressive era of Mega schools with functional learning tools. And little or nothing is being done to have well trained and certificated artisans as obtainable in neighbouring states. This drift must stop and that is why we are here.”
