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[unable to retrieve full-text content]Residents of Olambe and Ope Ilu, all suburbs of Ogun State in Ifo Local Government Constituency II, have decried the gimmicks by candidates of the People’s Party of Nigeria, PPN, in the area to get votes from them during the general elections. PPN is sponsored by the state governor, Gbenga Daniel. Gov. Gbenga Daniel The residents, who are still lamenting the high level of neglect they suffered from the administration of Governor Daniel in the last eight years, said they were surprised when tractors and bulldozers suddenly appeared in the area a few days ago to embark on a campaign-oriented road and drainage construction. For the past eight years, the roads around Idi-Ope Bus Stop in Ope Ilu on Ijoko Road and Olambe, have been in a terrible state, particularly during rainy season, which the residents and motorists obviously don’t pray for. Several pleas from the people to Governor Daniel, who is now the sponsor of PPN to repair the roads or construct drainage fell on deaf ears, only for some PPN candidates in the area to suddenly embark on the gimmick. The residents, who spoke with P.M.NEWS, said they were surprised when on 29 March, tractors and bulldozers adorned with the campaign posters of two PPN candidates in the area, Adeyinka Oyediran and Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka surfaced to commence what appears like drainage construction at Ope Ilu. Adeyinka is PPN’s candidate for the Ifo Constituency II seat in the House of Assembly, while Isiaka is the governorship candidate. According to one of the residents, “when it rains in this area, it brings anguish for motorists who drive through Idi-Ope Bus Stop, where the road is a long, deep and flood-filled trough. The terrible condition of the road has been attributed to lack of drainage. “And at the Olambe Junction, the story is similar. The bad road that links the community is a nightmare for motorists and depresses commuters. Last Monday, bulldozers with the posters of Adeyinka and Isiaka also made an appearance, digging long and deep ditches on both sides of the road.” Chidi Nwachukwu, who owns a shop near the AP filling station in Ope Ilu, said an attempt was made last year by the government to commence drainage construction, but the project was abandoned after they dug a few metres. “There is no guarantee that the present attempt will not also be abandoned soon,” he said. Other residents of the area said the latest move by the candidates of PPN is simply a Greek gift, which is aimed at getting sympathy votes during the elections which is few days away. The residents argued that if the project is not a Greek gift, why are they starting it a few days to the election? They further stressed that the fact that the bulldozers bear the posters of PPN candidates is a clear indication that the project is a charade. Also speaking with P.M.NEWS, a resident of Olambe, Dare Ogunlola, said the people are now wiser, and are not ready to fall victims of tricky politicians any longer. “We all know that this is a project that is very likely to stop a few weeks after the election. If not, why are they embarking on it now? Besides, if it is actually a service to humanity, why are the bulldozers carrying the posters of PPN candidates?” Ogunlola queried. Meanwhile, Daniel has said that Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) gubernatorial candidate in the state, cannot be stopped by INEC from participating in the election. Daniel, who was on an appreciation tour of Sagamu Local Government Area, said that Isiaka and all the candidates presented by PPN passed INEC’s test. He said that INEC had no reason whatsoever to prevent the candidates from contesting the elections in reference to reports that none of the candidates would be allowed to participate in the polls. They had been accused of not following due process and that their names were “smuggled” into the INEC list after the expiration of nomination of candidates. “Let me seize this opportunity to debunk the rumours that are going round. All PPN candidates, I repeat, all PPN candidates have passed the INEC test and all of them are contesting elections. “I am aware that opposition parties are going to villages to confuse our people; I plead with you, do not listen to them because all PPN candidates are already contesting,” Daniel told the crowd of party supporters. He also debunked reports that PPN was not registered and recognised by INEC. —Bayo Adetu

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