The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), yesterday charged the people of South-West to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections in order to guarantee a return of power to the region in 2023.

The minister stated this at a town hall meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information.

According to Fashola, besides the massive investments by the Buhari administration on infrastructure across the country and in South-West, in particular, the zone would benefit more politically if they vote for Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.

Speaking in fluent Yoruba language, Fashola said: “Did you know that power is rotating to the South- West after the completion of Buhari’s tenure if you vote for him in 2019?

“Your child cannot surrender her waist for edifying beads and you will use the bead to decorate another child’s waist.

“A vote for Buhari in 2019, means a return of power to the South-West in 2023. I am sure you will vote wisely.”

The meeting, which was held at the Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of the UCH, Ibadan saw also in attendance Ministers Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture), Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Suleiman Adamu (Water Resources) and Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Giving account of the performance of Buhari’s administration, Fashola said that the government had kept its promises to Nigerians in the three key throngs of security, fighting corruption and rebuilding the economy.

According to him, the essence of the town hall meeting was to showcase what the administration had done in three and half years.

“If you are roasting corn for a blind man, you have to whistle for the blind man to know you are not eating the corn you are roasting for him,” he said.

Fashola disclosed that no fewer than 67 road projects were ongoing only in the South-West region of the country by the administration. He said 19 of the 67 projects were on roads maintenance and they all excluded the constant roads repair works being carried out by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency.

He emphasised that the massive construction on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Benin-Ore-Ajebamidele- Shagamu Road and Lagos- Ota-Abeokuta Expressway abandoned for years, were pointers to the administration’s achievements. Aside these, Fashola disclosed that the critical 35km Tin Can Island-Mile Two-Oshodi Road had been awarded to Dangote Construction Company and would be a 10-lane highway to be constructed with concrete.

•Excerpted from New Telegraph report

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