Dr Ayodele Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in Ondo State , says the party will transform the state , if voted into power.
Olorunfemi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the mission of the party was to end sufferings in the state.
He said: “Ondo people should give us the opportunity to serve them and change the narrative for once.
“We can see that the sufferings of the people have become unbearable. We hardly see smiles on the faces Nigerians these days ,including the people of Ondo State .
“We need to teach Nigeria what governance is all about. What our people need is nothing but a better life.
“Our people are suffering because we lack leadership, goodwill and political will to make things work.
“So, I am in this race to make the people of Ondo State and all residents happy once again, and to ensure there is sunshine for all.”
Outlining his agenda for the state, Olorunfemi said that if voted, he would make the state more productive and ensure the state’s resources work for everyone.
The governorship candidate pledged to promote healthcare through provision of state-of-the art facilities across the state.
According to him, each electoral ward and cluster of polling units will have access to qualitative and affordable healthcare services ,if elected.
“Without health, no child can have education; without health no resident can be productive. So, we are going to take health of the people very seriously.
“We are going to make sure that our primary and secondary health system are fully functional and effective and at par with the international standard.
“This will be very accessible and free for Ondo people,” he said.
Olorunfemi also pledged to develop traditional medicines for local use and export.
“We have better herbs we can use for our health and export to earn foreign exchange than all those supplements coming into our country from China, India and other places.
“We shall create a viable centre for the development of traditional medicines and supplements for the good of our state,” he added.
Olorunfemi vowed to revamp education in the state , saying he already had a template to achieve free and quality education at primary and secondary levels.
The candidate also pledged to reduce tuition in tertiary institutions by half ,if elected.
“The fees of tertiary education have been increased and this has become a burden to the people
“Government does not have any justifiable reason to increase tuition fees in state- owned schools.
“I can assure Ondo people that what the tertiary students are paying now as tuition will go down by half when we come to power, and we can sustain this.
“Whatever they pay when we slash the fees will still be enough to take care of these schools ” he said.
Noting that Ondo State had a comparative advantage in Palm Oil and Garri production, the candidate said that his government would empower and support producers with requisites,including machines and grants
He said that his administration would also be involved in marketing of the food items (garri and palm oil) by buying directly from the producers and would get the private sector involved.
“With these ,many people will be encouraged to go back to farm to plant cassava , while others will be productively engaged in the manufacturing process,” he said.
On security, Olorunfemi said that since security is local, his administration would engage more locals to join the Southwest Security Outfit (code named Amotekun), and would strengthen the outfit to ensure security of lives and property.
According to him, the party has a robust plan for youth empowerment and capacity building, and will also take development to every part of the state through its urbanisation agenda. (NAN)
By Adeyemi Adeleye
 candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in Ondo State , says the party){kind=link}