AHEAD of the Local Government Election slated for Saturday, April 27, 2024, Oyo Former Commissioner for works and transport, Professor Raphael Abdulrahman Afonja (PARA), has donated over five million naira to support the campaigns and elections of all PDP candidates in Ogbomoso North local government.
Having been heavily involved in the party’s campaign from the beginning, Afonja expressed optimism that PDP’s unprecedented achievements in the state, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, will contribute massively to the victory of all the candidates participating in the electoral exercise.
He gave the assurance on Thursday while mobilizing support for all the candidates of the party through a number of several engagements with party leaders, members, community leaders and youths to ensure victory for the PDP candidates on Saturday.
The PDP chieftain who is well known for his philanthropic gesture in Ogbomoso zone, noted that the electorate finds Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements to be persuasive enough and emphasised that voting for all PDP candidates will help the governor continue to provide more effective governance.
He, however, urged the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, to be fair and ensure that adequate security are provided on election day to ensure that the interest of people are protected.
Drawing applause from several stakeholders who were overjoyed by his enormous contributions to the party in the Ogbomoso zone, especially Ogbomoso North local government, as well as his charitable gesture, disclosed that the Ex Commissioner firstly supported the party with one million naira during inauguration of party campaign committee at Ajagungbade Plaza before making a personal donation to the chairmanship candidate, Hon. George Ogunlade ahead of the Saturday’s election.
Afonja, who is very much concerned about the victory of PDP at the poll, had earlier supported his Isale Afon ward with campaign funds while also extended financial support to the Vice chairmanship candidate on Monday.
To further ensure a seamless campaign and victory for all the councilors in the forthcoming election, Prof. Afonja equally made a separate donation to each of the ten councillors in Ogbomoso North LG.
He equally provided fuel for campaign buses, facilitating easy movement, and donated over one million naira worth of campaign materials and caps as part of his personal support towards the prosecution of the election.
While charging PDP members to go all out and mobilize voters on Saturday, Prof. Afonja said he and other leaders of the party have done what they can do to ensure hitches-free polls.
He said: “I knew we needed money for logistics, so I had to make my own contributions to ensure total victory. And I know some of my colleagues and other stakeholders have also extended their support. That is the spirit in PDP under the leadership of our amiable Governor, Seyi Makinde.
“Our members as well as the general public should not be intimidated. We know we are winning this election because we have been the only one campaigning and ready for the election. The opposition APC should not intimidate the OYSIEC from doing their work, too. They should rather wait for their own time just as our leader, His Excellency, Seyi Makinde had earlier advised them during campaign in Ido local government. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory for candidates of our party.
“So I urge us to go all out, mobilize voters and with God on our side, we are recording resounding victory.”
