Oyo voters wiser than politicians – Ajimobi

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi

Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, on Monday, said opposition politicians spending money to induce voters ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election would be surprised by the outcome of the polls.

Ajimobi, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in the state, said voters in Oyo had become wiser than politicians as they would still vote for their preferred choice despite monetary inducements.

The governor, who described himself as the preferred choice, spoke during an interview with MITV, a privately-owned television station, monitored by our correspondents.

He said, “Oyo voters are now wiser than politicians because in the last elections, after collecting money from them, they still went ahead to vote for their choice. Oyo voters are very sophisticated. Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari got a remarkable victory. His victory is divine. I never expected that it will be a smooth ride when he was announced as the winner. I thought there would be reactions from the other side.

“I must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding victory. It is very unlikely of our people here. He is a very great leader and we should learn from it. It is a great lesson for Nigeria.”

On the recent violence in the Adekile area of Ibadan, the governor said the management of the crisis was a plus to his administration, adding that the discovery and destruction of Soka, a kidnapper’s den in the state, showed that his administration was committed to peace and security.

Ajimobi, who answered questions bordering on his tenure and re-election bid, noted that his achievements in office were better than those of the Accord Party candidate, Rashidi Ladoja, and the Labour Party candidate, Adebayo Alao-Akala, who were also past governors of the state.

The governor said the failure of the Accord Party to win a seat in the National Assembly elections had vindicated him that the APC still had the support of the electorates.

He said, “I can assure you that just like the presidential and National Assembly elections, APC will win the governorship election. It is not a question of ‘if I will return.’ I will be re-elected. APC is facing one party now divided into four-the Social Democratic Party, Accord Party and the Labour Party. They are all angry PDP members.

“From the most fundamental, which is peace and security in the state, Oyo State has witnessed massive urban and infrastructural development, more than the records of the previous administrations combined.”