By Oluwole Ige
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday evening said with his re-election and the circumstances that surrounded the electoral victory, he had broken the barriers for the youth to realise their dreams and explore potentials inherent in them to actualise their aspirations.
Besides, he also assured the citizenry across the 33 Local Government Areas in the state that his administration would not discriminate based on religious, ethnic and political affiliations in the distribution of democratic dividends.
He made the disclosure in his address during a re-election victory celebration, organised by an Ibadan-based businessman, Chief Dotun Sanusi, at the mini stadium of his expansive Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Akanran, in Ona Ara Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde posited: “We are building a state, where whoever the son of whom you are, the opportunities are there. I want our youngsters to take notice of this. There is no more glass ceiling in Oyo State. Seyi Makinde has broken all glass ceilings. I have broken the glass ceiling for the youngsters in the state. Our young ones can now attain whatever positions they desire.”
Makinde, who lauded Sanusi for organising the victory party, appreciated the Christian and Muslim communities, traditional rulers, market associations, artisans and other critical stakeholders that ensured his victory in 31 out of 33 local government areas of the state, noting that “the level of political awareness of the electorate was high and the people refused to follow the dictates of some godfathers.”
He stated: “Now, the campaign is over. It is left for us to forge ahead. The task ahead is to continue the good work and take our people from poverty to prosperity. It is a call for more work for the progress of Oyo State. And, I give you the assurance, just like in the first tenure, this administration will not discriminate on the basis of religion and ethnicity or where you come from.
“We will not discriminate against those who did not support us. This will be a government for the people of Oyo State and our collective interest.”
However, speaking during a chat with journalists on the sideline of the event, Sanusi said: “I was called to support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar during the presidential election, but I insisted that I’m supporting Senator Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is now the president-elect).
“I also stood my ground that I would support Makinde’s re-election. They said Makinde will not win because he refused to support Atiku. But, I was sure he would emerge because his performance was unprecedented during his first term as the governor of the state.”
Dignitaries, groups and associations in attendance included the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim Community, traditional religion worshippers, traditional rulers, traders, artisans, people living with disabilities, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), herbal healing practitioners, and ace entertainers.
