PDP stalwart flays removal of Saraki’s billboards

A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Mrs. Temidayo Job, has condemned the removal of the 2011 presidential campaign billboards of the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, from the state.

Job, who is the Campaign Coordinator of Abubakar Bukola Saraki Project 2011, while speaking in an interview with journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday, alleged that the action was taken by the perpetrators in anticipation of the proposed visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state.

The Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, it will be recalled, is the South-West Coordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan 2011 Presidential campaign project.

Job described removal of Saraki’s campaign billboards as an indication of political immaturity.

She, however, exonerated the PDP of any involvement in the removal of the billboards, blaming the action on the state advertising agency which she claimed might have acted under pressure from a government official in anticipation of the visit.

She said the space for the billboards was duly paid for, and necessary arrangements concluded before they were installed.

Job said, “One of the billboards was installed at Kuto Area of Abeokuta last week and less than 25 hours, the billboard was removed. The other one was installed at Shagamu interchange and we heard that as they were installing the billboard, some people attacked them and destroyed the artwork.”

“This is a condemnable act; it is an act of political immaturity. If the billboard of Saraki was allowed to stay in Bayelsa, I see no reason why similar thing should not be allowed here.”

She vowed to ensure the replacement of the billboards, adding that she had already given an instruction to the state advertising agency to ensure the re-installation of the billboards.

Job expressed the hope that Saraki might emerge the north’s consensus candidate for the presidential election in appreciation of his political programmes and policies and the influence his father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, wielded in the northern politics.

According to him, “There is this awareness in the country today of the need for a change. A change that does not divide minority from majority; a change that will transform and modernize agriculture; a change that will fight poverty to the finish and unite people irrespective of race, tribes, or religion., a democratic projection for the emancipation of the vulnerable groups-the women and the youth, this is what our people are yearning for and this is what Abubakar Bukola Saraki stands for.”

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101105113332