Empowerment Not Meant For Relations Of Politicians – Rep.Candidate

By Ayodele Oni

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Saturday’s by-election to Akure North/Akure South constituency in the House of Representatives, Olumiyuwa Adu, has promised to give new approach to empowerment of people in his constituency.

According to him, a new empowerment package that would benefit a greater number of people rather than a select few that are relations of politicians would be initiated.

Adu, who faulted distribution of sewing machines, motorcycles, grinding machines as empowerment for constituents said such approach only benefits those close the elected representatives.

He spoke at a debate organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) in Ondo State.

Other aspirants such as Lawson Alade of the All Progressives Congress, Olawale Oyemakinde for Accord Party, Fadeke Felicia for African Democratic Party, Alade Mayorkun for the All Progressives Congress, Joseph Ajayi for the All Peoples Party, Johnson Oluwasuyi for the National Redemption Movement,  and Opawole Tajudeen for the Social Democratic Party that had been cleared for the bye elected shunned the parley.

Adu, who shed more light on his credentials, explained that he was not dismissed from the military saying he voluntarily left after he was offered a job that paid higher wages than the N28,000 monthly he was earning as a soldier.

He described lawmaking, especially at the green chamber as a serious business not meant for secondary certificate holders.

“My empowerment will be focused on job creation, skills development and for businesses to thrive.

“In Akure, there is no recreational centre. If the constituency is used as a PPP for setting up of a recreational centre, do you know how may people will be employed there?

“The present empowerment modules being used are not sustainable. I will ensure the right empowerment for the right people.

“I am not satisfied with the way it is done. We should begin to think of sustainable ways to help our people to develop themselves.

“You cannot be a leader when you are not academically qualified, no skill or character. It should commensurate with what you can offer. We do not get the right person in the right place.

“With the current structure, we aren’t going forward. How do we elect a school certificate holder to the National Asembly to go and make laws ?

“He will only rely on the salary he has never received before to come and share on the streets.”

The bye election is to fill the vacant seat caused by the death of Mr Dayo Omolafe, last year.

Late Omolafe, the last occupier of the seat was a PDP member from Akure, the state capital.