THE scramble for the number one man in Oyo state has started and a lot of contenders  are throwing their hats into the ring for the contest. Though many are yet to declare their intention but already there are about 30 people in the race from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), while PDP and other parties  too have numbers of aspirants .

In a time like this, both pretenders and serious contenders will be moving round to convince people , pasting posters and seeking for people’s support, but one thing that is certain is that only one person will emerge and I wish the  next governor is Distinguished Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari

My choice of Fatai  Buhari as a preferred candidate and the most competent man to succeed Ajimobi is buoyed by the fact that he has demonstrated his genuine passion in serving the people. He has been tested and trusted and it won’t be out of place to entrust him with the number one position in the state because he will do well.

Apart from adequate representation and contributions on the floor of the  house as a member of the the National Assembly, Buhari while at the lower chamber of the National Assembly  set an unprecedented record of achievements in Nigeria politics through some of his activities which include: donation of cars for commercial purposes to 47 members of his constituency and organizations, payment of  WAEC for students in all secondary schools in Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal constituency, provision of loan facilities for petty traders and business women,  donation of educational supports for  students and Bursary award to students in tertiary institution, secure Federal Job for many members of his constituency and many others.

His tenure at the ministry of  Water Resources where he served as Special Adviser to the Governor and Ministry of Local  Government and Chieftaincy matter where he served as a commissioner also witnessed some level of improvement. As a commissioner, he  ensure that payment of primary school teacher’s salary did not exceed 26th of every month, he made it possible  by arranging with banks to release the fund for payment of salary as and when due and retrieve it as soon as the allocation from the Federal Government is  released for the state. Many council chairmen, politicians and even technocrats will not forget  his contribution  to their success stories through prompt response to their demands and support for their council .

Fatai Buhari score card at the Senate in the last three years is another fantastic attestation to his credibility as a politicians who is passionate about his people and the growth of Nigeria at large. He is one of the 10 Senators with the highest numbers of motions and bills, his intellectual contributions to issues at the plenary are always apt and given adequate consideration. For instance, the motion on public debate for president,  and governors will go a long way in reshaping the political development of Nigeria.

Another significant bill which is ongoing is that of Establishment of University of Agricultural Technology in Oke Ogun. The bill if sail through will hasten the development of the region and make Oyo state another food basket of the nation. He is also working on making   Ikere Gorge dam to function to his capacity, rehabilitation of  Oyo-Iseyin road, Okeho- Iseyin road and many others.

His two major empowerment programs are not only the best in term of numbers of items distributed but they were empowerment programs with the largest number of beneficiaries in the history of Nigeria. No fewer than 2,000 people benefited at each program; this asides the one he has been doing without making noise.

For instance , in November, the lawmaker paid WAEC Fees of about 6,000 pupils of secondary schools in his constituency, and also donated mini bus for  Federation of Oyo State Student Union and  built ICT centres in schools across the 13 local governments in Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun. He has facilitated trainings, skill acquisitions and financed over 3,000 artisans and school leavers and job seekers.

The lawmaker is humble and highly principled, he doesn’t underrates anybody. He is a man loved by the people and  his humility and kindness was attested to by many traditional rulers, civil servants and many others. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, last month in Iseyin during the empowerment program held at NYSC camp said, “since I have been meeting people as a governor, I have never seen a humble man like Fatai Buhari, he is humble and hardworking”. The governor said further “it will not be out of place to say Senator Buhari is the best Senator Oyo state ever produced,  I was once a senator too and  I never did something like this while at the Senate “.

Ajimobi’s statement is an automatic endorsement for Senator Buhari gubernatorial ambition,  APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke and other stakeholders who spoke at the program also joined Ajimobi in eulogizing and commending the efforts of Senator Buhari in alleviating the suffering of the masses and contributing to the  development of the state, all these statements testify to the claim that the Ogbomoso born Senator is a competent person who will not betray the confidence reposed in him by the  electorate .

During his visit to the APC secretariat in November 2017 to declare his intention, he was  commended by the party echelon for his support for the party.

“Apart from his regular donations for the party he is also responsive to any request from us . It shows he is a party man  and the party is enjoying him and I believe will enjoy him  better if given the opportunity to serve in a higher position”, said  one of the party chiefs in his comment .

Apart from his wealth of experience and entrepreneur background, the Senator is highly connected at the National level and he has a blueprint for the development of Oyo state. Part of his agenda include: qualitative  education, good health care delivery, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, job creations, and many others.

I want to concluded by urging the people of Oyo state to always consider Senator Buhari as the next governor of the state/ He is  a selfless leader, a defender of the masses who has demonstrated his genuine intention  to move the state forward and  an highly connected politician who will use his  contacts and links both within and outside Nigeria to develop human capacity, hasten infrastructural development and promote unity and progress in Oyo state .

Abdulwahab Adegoke, writes from Saki, Oyo State.

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