Nigeria Content Online

Following the declaration of Abiola Ajimobi as the Oyo state governor-elect in last week’s governorship election, activities are already moving at fast pace for his May 29 swearing in ceremony.

Already, both the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the respective winner and loser of the election, have set up transition committees to work on the process of change of baton between the incumbent governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the governor-elect.

Lam Adesina, a former governor of the state and leader of the ACN, at a press briefing on Friday, announced the inauguration of a 15-member committee of the ACN, while the governor appointed a 21-man transition team to work with the in-coming administration so as to ensure a hitch free change of baton’.

Dominated by permanent secretaries in the state civil service, the government team is headed by one Tajudeen Aremu and is expected to furnish the in-coming government’s team with all necessary information without any hindrance.

Meanwhile, the out-going governor had told the state workers that his earlier promise to pay the new minimum wage of N18,000 will be implemented by the in-coming governor.

Mr. Alao-Akala, in his message to the workers on the celebration of Workers’ day yesterday, urged them to be dedicated, hardworking and co-operative with the in-coming government.

He also implored the governor-elect to pay attention to the welfare of the workers to be able to get the best in them.

Mr. Ajimobi, in a separate message to government workers, pledged to give all it takes to ensure meaningful life for government employees and the state’s retirees.

No deprivation

In a release from the director of publicity of his campaign organisation, Yanju Adegbite, the governor-elect said “We are all happy for the change in Oyo State and I congratulate our workers too for witnessing the workers’ day celebration. I assure them all that they will not regret voting for me and my party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, in the last election”.

And to retired workers, he said never again would “the Senior Citizens of our state,’ face the deprivation of their entitlements at a time when they should be savouring the fruits of their years in service”.

The camp of governor-elect also raised alarm on the alleged attempt by some politicians to make last minute withdrawal from government’s treasury as the state prepares to get a new helmsman on May 29.

Mr. Adegbite, who made the allegation in Ibadan at the weekend, warned banks to be watchful as, according to him, the plan was to precipitate cash drought for the incoming government.

“We are by this statement issuing a form of caveat emptor to all banks and other key sectors of the Oyo State economy to be on their guard as attempts are being made to siphon the wealth of the state by agents of the exiting government”.