Natasha rallies support for Oluyede’s victory

The senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has thrown her weight behind the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr Oluwole Oluyede, describing him as a competent and people-oriented leader capable of driving development and inclusive governance in the state. Akpoti-Uduaghan made the endorsement during the grand finale of the PDP governorship campaign in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the June 20 governorship election. According to a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by her media aide, Mike Idoko, the senator spent several days touring communities across the state to mobilise support for the PDP candidate. Addressing party supporters and members of the Ebira community at the campaign event, the lawmaker said Oluyede possessed the experience, vision and commitment needed to tackle the challenges confronting the state and improve the welfare of residents. She said, “Dr Oluwole Oluyede is a leader who understands the needs of the people. He is not disconnected from the grassroots. He has listened to the cries of market women, youths, civil servants and community leaders across the state.” Akpoti-Uduaghan noted that the PDP candidate had consistently demonstrated concern for ordinary citizens and had the leadership qualities required to provide purposeful governance. The senator further described Oluyede as a bridge-builder capable of uniting people across ethnic, religious and social divides while ensuring equitable opportunities for all residents. “One of the reasons I am strongly supporting Dr Oluyede is his commitment to building an inclusive government where every group and community has a sense of belonging. Leadership should be about service, fairness and equal opportunities for all,” she stated. Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed confidence in the ability of Ekiti voters to make informed choices, noting that the state’s electorate was politically conscious and well-positioned to assess the credentials of those seeking public office. “Ekiti people are proudly educated and politically enlightened people. I believe they know who truly has the capacity, compassion and experience to govern the state effectively. This election is about choosing progress, inclusion and a better future for the state,” she said. The Kogi Central senator also highlighted her grassroots mobilisation efforts, revealing that she visited several communities, including Ikole-Ekiti, Ilasa and other settlements with sizeable Ebira populations, where she encouraged residents to participate actively in the electoral process. “We have moved from settlement to settlement speaking to our people. We are encouraging them to support a candidate who will prioritise development, inclusion, peace and prosperity for all. Every vote will count on June 20, and every citizen must play a role in shaping the future of Ekiti State,” she added. Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that Oluyede’s accessibility, development agenda and grassroots connection set him apart from other contestants in the race. She, therefore, urged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers on election day and support the PDP candidate. • Ekiti elders seek peaceful, credible election • ADC upbeat, targets upset win over APC, PDP • 68 pledges unmet as 10th N’Assembly nears end — Report Speaking at the campaign grand finale, Oluyede said nothing can stop his victory in Saturday’s election. He assured that his government would make a significant difference with positive impacts on the state and citizens within the first 100 days. He said his government would hit the ground running with the delivery of democracy dividends in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the state for the better. He said, “All our roads in Ekiti State are impassable. There are no good roads in Ado Ekiti township or any local government headquarters. All of them are riddled with potholes. “Within 100 days, you will see a difference in Ado Ekiti. We will make sure that we surface all the township roads in the first 100 days. We will restore good times to all 16 local government areas. “We need good health services. Ekiti has very good doctors and very good nurses, but our hospitals are more like real estate; they are not functional. There is no equipment, or the equipment is not serviced. “I have worked it out, our PDP government can, with wisdom, generate N144bn on health every year. “The implication is that the government of Wole Oluyede will not require you to pay a kobo if you go to the hospital. Health is wealth; we are going to concentrate on health. “Our objective is to create wealth. One of the problems we have is that the state has not created wealth in the last 30 years. All it has been doing is to employ people into public service and pay salaries. But we have to teach people that entrepreneurship is key. “One of the largest investments that we have in Ekiti today is our land. But it is not being used well. Farming, mechanised farming, is an industry when it is done well. We will help farmers to operate in a more commercial manner so that it can translate to wealth.” Oluyede, who alleged efforts to disenfranchise voters with the Permanent Voter Cards mop-up, said such would amount to nought as nothing could stop his victory. He said, “The PVCs being collected from residents by APC leaders in exchange for noodles will amount to nothing. I am sure that even if they mop up PVCs, there is nothing that they can do with them. They will fail because whatever they do, we will emerge victorious. Nothing can stop my victory.” Oluyede, who said he was issuing a red card to the APC government, accused the administration of having received humongous allocations from the Federal Government in the last three and a half years without anything to show for such.