By Kaosara Kazeem, Abeokuta
The gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party in Ogun State Sir Tope
Tokoya has thrown his weight behind local government autonomy, if
elected governor of the state during the forthcoming generral elections.
Tokoya, a former Chairman of Odogbolu local government area of the
state gave the assurance while fielding questions from newsmen in
Abeokuta, the state capital, noted that local government autonomy will
ensure rapid development at grassroots.
He lamented that the APC led government in the state had crippled
local government administration in the state, positing that all
avenues to generate revenues had been hijacked; stressing that this is
not healthy for third tier of government which he said is the closest
to the people.
He said, “If elected governor of this state in 2019, my administration
will ensure local government autonomy. I will return power to the
people. Local government will be made relevant to the people at the
grassroots, because they will have direct access to their allocations
from the federated account. All avenues for local government to
generate revenues would be released to them”.
Comparing local government administration eight years ago with what
entails now in the state, the governorship hopeful noted that the
local government under the previous administration gave the third tier
of government free hand to operate, unlike what operates under the APC
led government in the state.
He said, the APC led government in the state has crippled the third
tier of government and usurps all its duties.
“There is a clear different in the local government administration
during the regime of the previous government and the present one led
by APC. Then, we were free to serve our people. Local governments were
able to provide necessary amenities for their people as stipulated by
the nation’s constitution. We had access to our money from the
federated account and we can generate money internally. We used the
money to develop our communities then, but now, reverse is the case”.
On the welfare of civil servants in the state, Tokoya pledged that all
outstanding deductions and salary arrears would be paid, adding that
pensioners’ welfare would as well be taking care off.
Speaking on the zoning arrangement for the governorship slot which
some political parties in the state had zoned to Ogun West Senatorial
District, the Accord Party governorship candidate said, Ogun State was
divided into two provinces politically; Ijebu/Remo Province and
Egba/Egbado Province.
He emphasized that since the incumbent governor is from Egba/Egbado
Province, it is the turn of Ijebu/Remo Province to produce governor in
2019.
He vowed to run a government of “people first” with emphasis on youth
and women emancipation, saying that he is offering himself for the
total emancipation of the state citizens.
He said, “he is offering himself to vie for the governorship seat of
the state because of his passion for the people of the state; his
desire to touch lives and make a difference, to see smiles on the
faces of the people, positing that he will use God abundance talents
and energy to improve the lives of men and women”.
"I offer myself for service. I offer myself for the total emancipation
of Ogun State. I offer myself to provide real change in Ogun State. I
offer myself to give the dividends of democracy to Ogun State people".
"This time around, it is not going to be 'ise shaa' (work, work, work)
I promise on my honour and God being my witness that every citizen of
this state will be proud to identify with Ogun State. I promise you a
leadership of success and joy"
Tokoya said his government will ensure the return of local government
council to its constitutional level of operation, adding that he will
establish ward development council for the development of every ward
in the state for even development.
He promised that his government will provide accessible qualitative
education at both primary and secondary school levels with free
tuition up to secondary school level.
“There would be affordable and quality health care services at all
government hospitals, with establishment of mobile clinic to enhance
the provision of health care services to all rural dwellers”
The governorship hopeful appreciated the party leadership in the state
as well as all members of the party for their support and
understanding.
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