OYO: Adelabu: I have become wiser politically

ADEBAYO Adelabu, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 elections, has said his loss to Seyi Makinde, the incumbent governor of Oyo State, is a blessing in disguise.

Adelabu, who said he had learnt a lot from his defeat, said the experience he garnered in 2019 would serve him in good stead in 2023.

He disclosed this while speaking to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during his 50^th birthday celebration.

“I have become wiser politically and more conversant with progressive grassroots politics. I am now in the driver’s seat. I will be a better governor in 2023 than I would have been in 2019,” said Adelabu.

A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adelabu said with the return of “notable politicians” to the APC the party is on a strong footing to defeat the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) come 2023.

“I will contest for governorship seat of Oyo State in 2023. I am confident that with the unity we now have in Oyo State chapter of the APC, we shall dislodge the ruling party in the state. We tried in 2019 but you can only win when God says it is your time.”

He, however, dismissed  the regular payment of workers’ salaries by Seyi Makinde — led administration as  something  not worthy of celebration but a statutory obligation.

He added that the governor has failed to deliver his campaign promises more than a year after winning election

“No state needs a governor before salary is paid. When salary is paid through statutory allocations and it goes straight to the accountant general, they take it to the bank and they pay. Why must that be the major achievement of any governor?” he asked

“Everything this administration promised the people of the state is still on their wish list 16 months after coming on board. With the caliber of people that have returned to the APC, no party can stand the way of our party in 2023,” he said.