Oyo state chapter of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) has adopted and endorsed Seyi Makinde for second term saying the governor was the only reason Okada and tricycle riders are gainfully employed and making meaningful contributions to the economy in the state.
The Oyo state president of the Association, Comrade (Dr) Solomon Olugbode made this disclosure at a press briefing on Monday held at the association’s state secretariat in Ibadan while also commending Makinde for the construction of ultra modern motor and Okada/tricycle parks across different parts of the state.
Also commending the governor over free data collection of its members which has drastically reduced the menace of Okada related crime, Olugbode maintained that the message to reelect Makinde, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was clear and direct to ACOMORAN’s over two hundred thousand members across the state because of his approach to governance and leadership not minding what was described as needless criticism.
While maintaining that its members only survive on daily income, the ACOMORAN boss in the state added that the peak of covid-19 pandemic period was very tough stressing that Makinde against all odds was the only governor in the entire south western Nigeria who refused to shut down the state and exposed its members to threats of hunger induced deaths and other forms of health challenges.
Olugbode, while fielding questions from journalists said, the association’s adoption and endorsement of Governor Makinde was not unconnected with the way and manner he stood firmly with its members amidst fierce criticism from politicians and other political parties who wanted to ride on the backdrop of events in neighboring states to score political points.
Describing Makinde as truly friend of the masses and downtrodden, Olugbode said Makinde remains the only governor who duly acknowledged the importance of its members to the socioeconomic development of the state stressing that commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders in the state have in no small measures contributed to Oyo state employment generation and internally generated revenue.
He maintained that ACOMORAN in Oyo state was duly established by law to manage affairs of its members adding that even though the association has continued to hold firmly to its apolitical stance, it is within its rights to support any political candidate or party with lofty ideas and initiatives that will help its members remain productive members of the society.
In his words, Olugbode said, “globally, the last four years have been challenging for governments, corporate bodies and individuals, due to the covid-19 global pandemic and threat of insecurity. Some people lost their lives to these calamities. To some of our members who survive on daily income, it was a very hard time.
“Despite pressure, criticism lockdown Oyo state during covid-19, Governor Makinde considered those of us who relied on daily income to make a living and resorted to partial lockdown of the state to reduce the adverse economic effects on our lives and families.
“The approach of Govenor Makinde during the bloody EndSARS protest is also worth commending. When some state governments used state instruments of force and intimidation on protesters, our own governor identified with and joined them.
“When some states closed their eyes to the good side of Okada riders and other so-called elites mounted pressure on the Seyi Makinde led government to follow suit in order to reduce influx of Okada riders in the state, Makinde being man of the people maintained that anyone who comes to Oyo state with the aim of conducting lawful business will not be restricted as enshrined in the 1999 constitution which guarantees the right of every Nigerian to freely live and work anywhere in the country.
“Today, Oyo state is one of the most peaceful states to live in Nigeria because of its enabling environment. The effect of prompt payment of workers salaries is making life meaningful not only to civil servants but all residents in the state. Even though some argued that this should not be recorded as an achievement, we all are witnesses and know what Oyo state looked like in the past when salaries were either delayed or denied.”
Olugbode called on all ACOMORAN members across the state to shun all forms of religious bigotry being peddled in some quarters and vote for the governor come March 18 governorship election while making inferences to the Holy Bible and Quran in Quran chapter 49:13 as well as Luke 16:10 respectively.
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