The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said his administration’s ongoing infrastructure projects would not make him abandon ‘stomach infrastructure’ for the people of the state.
The term ‘stomach infrastructure’ in government circles in Nigeria means taking care of loyalists and supporters.
The concept was made popular by ex-Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, having appointed Sunday Anifowose as his Special Assistant, Stomach Infrastructure and Special Duties, shortly after he took oath as governor for the second term in office in October 2014.
Receiving the Olunisa of Inisa, Oba Joseph Oyedele, and his chiefs at the Government House, Osogbo, on Thursday, Adeleke said while various projects initiated by his administration were at different stages of completion, he would not lose focus on making available the basic needs for the populace.
“We are not joking with stomach infrastructure; we have been making available various relief materials. I have also instructed my appointees to make these relief materials circulate, especially at the grassroots level,” Adeleke said.
The governor said the recent defection of the ex-Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, an indigene of Inisa, to the All Progressives Congress was shocking, going by the manner Oyedokun received him during his last visit to his country home, and promised that work would soon commence on the next phase of the Osogbo/Ilaodo/Kwara boundary road, which passes through the town.
He commended the Olunisa for standing by his administration and assured him of the construction of more intra-community roads, especially those leading to villages, to enable easy movement of farm produce to various places where they would be needed.
“I was surprised when Baba Oyedokun left the party without consulting anyone, because while I was on a post-election tour, I visited him, and we spoke very well. He even commended me, saying I have surpassed people’s expectations with various projects I embarked on.
“I am happy that our royal father and the chiefs swiftly responded by coming here today to reaffirm their commitment to our administration.
Speaking earlier, Oba Oyedele said though Oyedokun is a bonafide son of Inisa, his decision to defect to APC was the one he took without consultation.
He assured Adeleke of the town’s support for his administration, noting that the governor’s efforts so far had surpassed the expectations of the masses.
Oyedokun, alongside ex-governorship aspirant on the platform of PDP, Dotun Babayemi, and their supporters recently defected to the APC, citing Adeleke’s alleged misgovernance for their decision.
PUNCH
