ABEOKUTA –The Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Barr. Biyi Otegbeye has disclosed that his administration if elected, at the March 18th poll, will be media friendly.
Otegbeye disclosed this on Tuesday, at the maiden edition of Guest Forum organiser by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun state council held at the Henry Townsend House, Iwe iroyin, Oke Ilewo Abeokuta.
The ADC Guber candidate noted that speculations and guessing is inevitable when the media is not provided with the necessary and adequate information required from government.
“It is when government is in secrecy that the media speculate or guess. But when the facts are laid bare, it is inevitable that the media will report accurately.
“My government will provide necessary information to the media because we believe the media are stakeholders in the development of our state. Forum like this will also be encouraged as a way of answering the people yearnings while we will also demand credible and accurate reportage from the media”, he said
On his chances at the poll despite endorsement of the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun by monarchs from his Yewa-Awori home front, Otegbeye noted that the beauty of the 2023 elections is the BVAs which according to him only recognizes Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), and not endorsement.
He however added that the endorsement can be liken to a ride on a ‘cockroach back’, which according to him cannot be trusted, adding that no one leave his child to endorse another seeking same highest office in the land.
“On the issue of my Traditional rulers base on yewa Awori thing, If they endorse somebody and what that endorsement means from my candidacy, it means nothing!
“The truth is that INEC election will use BVAS. BVAS does not recognize endorsement, BVAS recognize PVC. Even as Sen. Ibikunle Amosun endorsed me, I don’t go and sleep. I still do my work, go out and send my agenda to people who ultimately would vote.
“The fact that those royal fathers said that in the open, they don’t say that at the back. ‘Omo eni ko ni se idi bebere ka wa ko Ileke si idi omo elomi’. They are just sending that narrative to make the governor happy because that is what he wants to hear.
“Even, if it is me that given that thing, i should examine myself that what is means. It is just a ‘Horse’s Cockroach.
“Inside our own house (Yewa), our fathers talk to us, We know what they do for us, we know the kind of prayer they pray for us and by God grace their prayer will be answered. Our son is not ready and we are supporting this one. All these are nothing”, he said.
Otegbeye also ruled out any merger with other political parties in the quest to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that the time for that has passed as it is almost impossible to make any meaningful impart at the poll just 4 days away with a merger.
“Of course there will be merger, but it is not going to be like a typical merger you are expecting. Not like stepping down for someone. We have gone pass that, election is Four days away, and there won’t be any meaningful merger. For the media we will provide you a meaningful information that will help you”, he declared.
Earlier, the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ogun State, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju said that elections are the centerpiece of every democracy, through which the electorates can express their hopes and aspirations and ultimately elect their leaders.
“Gentlemen of the Press,
Elections are the centerpiece of democracy through which people can voice their opinions, express their hopes and aspirations, discipline their leaders, and ultimately control their nation’s destiny.
“Democratic theory asserts that elections are the public’s source of power, but in order to use its muscle effectively, candidates and parties must make known where they stand on public policy issues.
“This strongly informs the decision of public to vote for X, Y, Z candidates or parties. Otherwise, there is no real choice and elections lose their meaning.
“Interestingly, they are not solely responsible for the success of any electoral system as mass media have a duty to report thoroughly and accurately what the contestants and parties stand for”, he added
The NUJ Chairman however urged the ADC Guber candidate, if elected, to as a matter of importance appoints from it’s members into any media related portfolio, saying that it will further strengthen democratic tenents cum the administration.
