Ogun Development Forum is concerned by Hon. Ladi Adebutu’s continuing criticism of projects facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola across Ogun State.
In a signed Press Statement on behalf of Ogun Development Forum, Sodeinde Seun asserted that “We are aware that both men have served in the National Assembly. A useful and fair discussion would place their records side by side: the roads, schools, health facilities, scholarships and other projects each helped bring to the communities they represented. Name the projects, give their locations and dates, and let the public see what was delivered so they can decide who deserves their support and vote in the forthcoming election.
That is the comparison Hon. Adebutu should be making. Which projects did he facilitate during his time in the House of Representatives? Which communities benefited? What does his record show alongside Senator Adeola’s work in the Senate? These questions invite an account of public service rather than general criticism and condemnation,” he added.
Furthermore, Mr Sodeinde argued that “Hon. Adebutu is free to question any road or other project. Where he has a concern, he should address the particular work. But communities waiting for better infrastructure should not see development dismissed simply because it is associated with his political opponent. Public roads and facilities serve people across party lines; they are available to Hon. Adebutu and his family as they are to everyone else. Their value does not disappear because a political opponent helped facilitate them. Hon. Ladi needs to explain why his criticism so often centres on development reaching communities that have long needed better roads and other facilities, which he has never been able to provide.
Senator Yayi has been able to facilitate numerous projects across the state, including the resuscitation of the ongoing 104 km Ilara/Oja Odan/Ilashe Road, which cuts across four local government areas of Ogun West; Kemta Housing Estate Road, Idi Aba, Abeokuta; Arigbawonwo Road, Obafemi Owode; Ijebu Igbo Township Road; and Mini Campus Link Road, Ago Iwoye. His interventions also include hundreds of 12-classroom school buildings across the state, including at Federal Government Girls School, Sagamu, and Molusi College, Ijebu Igbo; resolving the decades-long lack of electricity in Ogun Waterside and part of Ijebu East Local Government Area; the provision of hundreds of boreholes across the state; and other life-changing interventions that have brought succour to the people and residents of the state. Someone who has immersed himself in this act of service deserves praise and encomium, not opprobrium and condemnation. ”
In the statement, Adebutu was advised to concentrate on selling himself to Ogun people instead of focusing on Yayi. “Again, as someone seeking to govern Ogun State, Hon. Ladi should rather be explaining what he would build, improve and fund. His own record and plans deserve as much attention as his criticism of Senator Adeola.
We acknowledge Senator Adeola’s efforts to facilitate projects for Ogun communities, and we encourage him to do more. We ask both men to put verifiable records before the public and give Ogun people a clear account of what they intend to deliver. ” He concluded.
