As Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Chief Bayo Adelabu, clocks 50 years of age, he has made plans to hold a 5-day events to celebrate his birthday.
In lieu of this, the first event, Media Parley and Lunch with Journalists, was held at Best Western Hotel, Ibadan, where journalists and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate with Chief Bayo Adelabu.
While justifying the reason for the Media Parley, Adebayo Adelabu said he considered journalists as the best set of people to celebrate with on the first day of the 5-day events for the celebration of his 50th year on earth.
In paying tribute to the former governor of Oyo state, Chief Bayo Adelabu urged people to stand for a minute silence for the late Abiola Ajimobi.
He appreciated the late Chief Arisekola Alao for his immense contribution in the state and showed his gratitude to Ibadan people.
Recall that Chief Bayo Adelabu contested under the umbrella of APC at the 2019 Oyo gubernatorial election which he lost to the current governor of the state, Engnr. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Chief Bayo Adelabu has reiterated his plan to contest at the forthcoming 2023 governorship election in the state.
According to him, “My interest to contest for the governorship seat come 2023 is still intact.”
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Bayo Adelabu, made this known at the media parley and lunch with journalist.
According to him, “Everything this administration promised the people of the state is still on their wish list 16 months after coming on board. With the caliber of people that have returned to APC, no party can stand the way of our party.
“No state needs a governor before salary is paid. When salary is paid through statutory allocations and it goes straight to the Accountant General, they take it to the bank and they pay. Why must that be the major achievement of any governor?
“And when you embark too much on populist programmes, which, in most cases, are not always giving the state sustainable development, it is more about immediate consumption.
“Populist programmes are short-lived. Within a short period, people will know that this man doesn’t really have so much to offer in terms of sustainable infrastructural development.
“It is going to two years now, can you point at one or two major projects that this government has completed? Everything is still on their wish list and if wishes were horses, beggars would ride,”
However, he was full of thanks to God for sparing his life up to 50 years, noting that his grandfather, Adegoke Adelabu and father, AbdulRauf Adelabu, died aged 43 and 33 respectively.
The Chairman of the occasion is the ALGON Chairman, Hon. Abbas Adesina, with other dignitaries- Hon. Wale Adigun murphy, Alhaji Saheed Pele, Mr Segun Olalere, Alhaji Wale Olatunji and others- present on the high table.