The Oyo State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi, has raised concerns over the growing environmental and social challenges confronting the state, alleging that destitute persons from neighbouring states are being dumped in Oyo.
Adekanmbi made the disclosure on Thursday in Ibadan while hosting journalists and social media influencers in the state as part of his engagement with the media ahead of the 2027 governorship campaign flag off.
The former finance commissioner said the influx of destitute persons into Oyo State had compounded existing environmental and social problems, stressing that the situation required a coordinated and sustainable intervention by the government.
He commended governor Seyi Makinde for confronting the environmental challenges headlong with various lofty and laudable initiatives which has resulted into a cleaner state.
He however, maintained that he would consolidate on the gains of the present administration, directly work with key stakeholders in the state to ensure Oyo state attains a cleaner and greener environment if elected as governor come 2027.
According to him, Oyo cannot afford to ignore issues surrounding waste management, sanitation, urban renewal and the welfare of vulnerable persons if the state is to achieve sustainable development.
Adekanmbi said his administration, if elected governor in 2027, would prioritise environmental sanitation and urban management, while putting in place measures to address the circumstances responsible for the increasing number of vulnerable persons on the streets.
He said the solution would not be limited to removing destitute persons from the streets, but would involve identifying their places of origin, working with relevant authorities and providing appropriate rehabilitation and social support.
The APM candidate also stressed the importance of preventing Oyo from becoming a destination for the indiscriminate dumping of vulnerable persons from other parts of the country.
Adekanmbi said his administration would adopt a comprehensive approach to environmental governance, combining effective waste disposal systems, cleaner communities, enforcement of environmental regulations and improved public awareness.
He further promised to engage relevant stakeholders, including traditional institutions, local governments, waste collectors, community leaders, civil society organisations and neighbouring states, in finding lasting solutions to environmental and social challenges.
The governorship hopeful said the media engagement was part of his strategy to maintain an open relationship with journalists and other media practitioners ahead of the 2027 election.
He urged journalists and social media influencers to critically interrogate the programmes and policies being proposed by political candidates, rather than merely reporting campaign activities.
Adekanmbi, who noted that Oyo state has gone beyond the era of personal attacks to score political points to discussing real issues affecting the people and their daily lives in the modern world, also said residents deserved a government that would listen to their concerns, provide practical solutions and ensure that development extended beyond the major urban centres.
He added that his campaign would focus on presenting clear and measurable solutions to the challenges confronting the state, insisting that the 2027 election should be about the future of Oyo State and the welfare of its people.