The lawmaker representing Ibadan South West state constituency 2 in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwafemi Adebayo Oluwafowokanmi, has disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State remains intact, noting there is no faction in the party in whatever form.
The lawmaker, who recently disclosed his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the Senate, expressed his readiness to follow Governor Seyi Makinde to any party he decides to join ahead of 2027 general elections.
Hon. Oluwafowokanmi disclosed this while featuring on an interview programme, Ayekooto on Radio on Splash FM, Ibadan, anchored by Olayinka Agboola (Mr. Parrot) on Tuesday.
He noted that the performances and achievements of Governor Makinde in the last six and a half years speak a lot, and these have contributed to the support he is getting from the state legislature.
The lawmaker further expressed that many people, who expected to see constant face-offs between the state House of Assembly and the governor, have been disappointed because the House and the lawmakers had chosen to be partners in progress with the executive.
He said, “I will follow the footsteps of Governor Seyi Makinde because it is through his victory that the majority of the lawmakers came into limelight. Anywhere he goes, I will follow him. Those calling the Oyo State House of Assembly a ‘rubber stamp’ do not really understand or mean good for the state. They expected the lawmakers to be in constant face-off with the governor; they have been disappointed because it does not work that way. We have rejected many proposals from the executive because they did not follow due process. Are we going to announce that to the public? They went back to do the needful and we did what we were supposed to do – all in the interest of the people. He is working and we are seeing it; Oyo State people are seeing it, so why are they calling for an unwarranted ranchor?”
Speaking on his achievements, Hon. Oluwafowokanmi maintained that he has supported his constituency even as a lawmaker despite his limited resources.
“I facilitated the construction of 8 boreholes at different locations in Apata, Oke-bola, NIHORT among others areas in order for them to have access to portable water. I reconstructed a bridge at Bolumole to link other adjoining communities in the constituency. I am currently working on a legacy project to empower the people, particularly the youth of my constituency; when the time comes, I will unveil it. I have facilitated many projects, including road rehabilitation and job employment. These are some of what I have done apart from my legislative assignment.
As the Chairman, House Committee on Education, I have raised many bills and motions to raise the standard of education. Some of them are motions to stop exorbitant school fees in Oyo State, removal of illegal structures around school areas in the state, among others.”
Giving insight into why he wants to contest for the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the Senate, Betterlife, as the lawmaker is fondly called, said, “I am loyal to the people and I have what it takes to represent Oyo South Senatorial District. I want to make a difference in the National Assembly. Oyo South has not had a ranking senator since 1999, as no senator has been re-elected twice, and this is affecting the governance of lawmaking and it is affecting the senatorial district. If elected, I will be a ranking legislator by virtue of my experience as a two-term state legislator. If I win, I will do better as a Senator.”
Hon. Fowokanmi warned the people of the state to do away with politicians who do not have a second address (jobless politicians) apart from politics, saying that they will always be ‘hungry’ to embezzle public funds.
He buttressed his point by saying that he has been running his business (Betterlife Bakery) for the past 20 years and paying salaries of over 200 staff. Hon. Fowokanmi noted that this is what has given him leverage on how to relate and make himself accessible to the people.
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