Atiku promises restructuring if elected

THE Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restructure the country if elected president in the February 2023 election.

  Speaking at the rally held in Ibadan on Thursday, Atiku said restructuring, which the southwest has been agitating for was one of the five pillars of his programmes.

  He also promised to devolve more power to states and local governments.

  “It is one of the five pillars of our programmes to make sure we implement restructuring, meaning that we give you more resources and more powers so that you can develop your respective zones and states as well as your local government,” he said.

  The candidate explained that he was not only aware but conscious of the importance of devolving powers to states to speed up development.

  According to him, an Atiku-Okowa administration will also ensure adequate funding for education to end the regime of incessant strikes especially in universities.

  “Again, we are committed to making sure that there are no more strikes in our university, meaning we will fund our universities and pay our teachers on time so that we don’t have any disruptions to our academic activities.

  “We will industrialise the Southwest, including Oyo State which is endowed with so many mineral resources to create jobs and prosperity.

  “We must make sure there is unity; we must make sure there is inclusion of every part of this country in our government.”

  He commended Governor Makinde and the PDP in Oyo State for making sure that this rally is well organised and well-orchestrated.

  Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, on Thursday, waded into the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asking the party’s presidential candidate and other leaders to do everything possible to ensure reconciliation with the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.

  Olubadan, who spoke through the OtunBalogun of Ibadan land, Tajudeen Ajibola made the remark at the Alarere residence of the Olubadan while playing host to Atiku Abubakar, who was at the residence to pay homage to the monarch as part of his presidential campaign trip to the Oyo State capital.