Governance Should Go Beyond Election Gestures – Sowunmi-Kolapo Tells Politicians

The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, has asserted that governance should not be reduced to seasonal gestures or election-time inducements.

Sowunmi-Kolapo maintained that it must be measured by the ability of leaders to identify problems, provide sustainable solutions and improve the quality of life of citizens.

She stated this on Sunday while receiving the PDP candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Toyin Amuzu, who paid her a visit as part of activities preceding the official flag-off of his campaign for the 2027 House of Representatives election on Wednesday.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate was reacting to Amuzu’s intervention in the Ibara-Omida community, where he supported residents in addressing the prolonged problem associated with their faulty transformer.

She questioned why residents should remain without electricity supply for a long period over what she described as a relatively modest intervention, only for a private individual like Amuzu to eventually step in and provide assistance.

“Why should our people remain in darkness for this long simply because of the failure to address a problem that could have been resolved with a modest intervention? It took the intervention of a private individual before the people could get the support they needed,” she said.

According to her, the development was a reflection of the difference between leaders who are genuinely service-oriented and those whose political activities are primarily driven by the desire to impress the electorates, particularly during election periods.

She also criticised what she described as the All Progressives Congress, APC’s reliance on lavish spending and what she called “Greek gifts” and empty political shows as strategies to win elections.

Sowunmi commended Amuzu for his intervention, describing it as an example of the kind of people-oriented leadership the PDP represents.

In his response, Toyin Amuzu said his commitment to the people of Abeokuta South would remain unwavering, assuring that he would continue to support communities within his constituency whenever the need arises.

Amuzu said he desires to give the constituency effective representation and use legislative opportunities to attract meaningful development.