Candidates of some of the political parties vying for Ondo State’s governorship seat on Monday reeled out their manifestos in a debate organised by Channels Television and Enough is Enough Nigeria.
At the debate held in Ondo State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu was, however, absent.
Moderating the debate, Channels Television’s political correspondent, Seun Okinbaloye, asked questions relating to the state’s economy, job provision, source of campaign funding and security among others.
Giving his opening remarks about why he should be voted for and his experience that would ensure proper management of the state, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Olu Agunloye, who was a onetime Minister of Power, claimed that he was the only Minister of Power that had produced the largest amount of power (4,539 megawatts) for Nigeria.
On the funding of his campaign he dismissed claims that a member of the party had received funds from former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, that is facing trial.
On provision of jobs for the youths and other economic policies that he would implement to transform the fortunes of youths in the state, he said he would “train the young people to be job providers and not job seekers”.
The candidate of the SDP further promised to ensure that he eradicates the suffering pensioners go through to get their pay.
On his part, the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, (AD), Mr Olusola Oke, first dismissed claims that his party was being sponsored by the leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu.
“It stands against logic to be sponsored by the APC who I am in opposition to. The good people of Ondo state are the ones sponsoring me,” be stated.
On why he left the APC to the AD after he failed to get the support of the APC’s leaders in the primary election, he said the APC was a deceptive political party that has not been able to meet its promises of fighting internal corruption in the party’s primary election.
“I cannot be part of that deception,” Mr Oke stressed.
He further pointed out that his mission was to create wealth by exploring the mineral and human resources, introduce transparency and create jobs.
The AD candidate also highlighted that his state had the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria.
On whether he would accept the outcome of the election if he loses, he said: “If I happen to lose the election, I will congratulate the winner if the election was free and fair”.
Paying workers’ salaries in most Nigerian states has become a nightmare to most governors and the issue was raised at the debate, with demands for his decision about possible raise in wages, considering the economic recession that has triggered high inflation rate.
He said: “The minimum wage will remain as it is until we are able to solve the problem of salary arrears”.
On the economy of the state, he said he would ensure revenue leakages were plugged
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, a business mogul believes that having managed his business empire he would be able to handle the affairs of the state.
Asked if he would be able to shoulder the demands of his business and that of the governorship position, he said: “None of my businesses can conflict with my political ambition in Ondo State”.
Mr Ibrahim insisted that he was a very successful businessman and that his national honours were proofs of his qualification.
On reviving the state’s economy and creating jobs for the unemployed, he said: “My leadership is to create wealth. In a recession, you do not drive the economy with taxes”.
“We are going to abolish personal income tax in Ondo state and I will increase minimum wage immediately I become Ondo Governor.
“I will abolish all taxes” and increase minimum wage. He says the least anyone working for him would earn is 75,000 Naira,” he added.
Mr Ibrahim further promised to develop Ondo oil and build 10 gas stations.
The debate has offered the candidates an opportunity to let the electorates hear their policies and they will be turning out to polls on November 26 to elect a successor for Mr Olusegun Mimiko the incumbent governor.
