By Nwaorgu Faustinus
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Elder Tunde Adedeji, has expressed his willingness to contest in this year’s governorship election in the state.
Speaking in an interview in Lagos on Thursday, the Director of Skyrun Cocoa Processing Company Ede, noted that if elected, he would bring development to the state, which is in need of huge economic growth.
For Mr Adedeji, his is very optimistic of grabbing the sole ticket of the party to contest in the exercise.
According to him, “My chances of becoming the party’s candidate and winning the next governorship election in Osun State are bright.”
He also promised to harness the huge resources in the state, shore up revenue and fill the gap in infrastructure.
“I have what it takes in terms of exposure, education and vision to lead Osun State to the next level of development. I have been in politics since 1998. Prior to that, I was active in student politics, a king maker and parliamentarian during my days in University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife (OAU)). Nobody could have been president of the Students Union without my input.
“I attempted the House of Representatives in 1999 and my ticket was ceded to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. I cooperated with Chief Bisi Akande, our great leader, political father, mentor and great coach.
“I have been a loyal party man. I have gained a lot from our progressive leaders. I am a key player in Osun Politics. The greatest travail of the progressives was the struggle for the actualization of the mandate of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. I am glad that I was part of the process. I am able to mix maximally with different kinds of people –youth, women, the old, privileged and under privileged.
“I have a lot of contacts both locally and internationally that can be harnessed to bring in the much needed investment to develop the state. I served as the chairman of two companies within the Oodua Group of Companies, Askar Paints Nigeria Limited and Wrought Iron Nigeria Limited. I want to leave a legacy of good governance,” Mr Adedeji boasted.
A grassroots politician and a native of Gbongan in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, Mr Adedeji said he would fight the election on economic issues.
“Osun should not be a poor state. The state is endowed. If given the mandate, I will leverage on the infrastructural development efforts of the incumbent. All that is needed is a visionary leader, who can think out of the box, come up with solutions that will address the paucity of development in the state. Osun is an agrarian community. We have to increase productivity through massive investment in agriculture, agroindustry and agribusiness. I am committed to building a state where there would be economic buoyancy, a hub of modern development and beehive of business investments and employment generation activities,” he said.
The politician promised to create new jobs, ensure proper training and enabling environment for the civil servants in the state.
“Work is the antidote to poverty” he said.
Mr Adedeji, who praised Major General Leo Segun Ajiborisa (Rtd), Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke (of blessed memory), Navy Commodore Anthony Udofia, Brigadier General Anthony Obi, Brigadier General Theophilus Bamgboye, Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for contributing towards the development of the state, promised to lead an all-inclusive government, bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, provide developmental initiatives and encourage women by reserving forty percent of appointment for them .
“Having garnered experiences in private and government agencies, I have decided to bring to bear the flourishing and unending exposure I have acquired over the years to serve my people. I feel there is no better time than to contribute at a higher pedestal to the development of Osun State than 2018. I have been in public administration and business for years. All I can do is to strive to do better,” he disclosed.
Mr Adedeji, one of the APC leaders in Osun, represents the state as a member of the Technical Committee on Regional Integration of Western Nigeria.
He served as a board member of the Agricultural Development Corporation of Osun State.
