By By: Aderohunmu Abdulrokeeb
Engr. Oyedele Alao declared his intention to run for the Oyo State governorship election under the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the Emmanuel Alayande Teachers Resource Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Dignitaries present at the occasion include the leaders in the political party; Honorable Lekan Adeyemo, Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe, Hon Lasun Adebunmi, Alhaji Isiaka, Alhaji MKO Laoye, Madam Bisi Olasope. Hon. Oyewale Akinrinade
Engr Oyedele Hakeem Alao, during his declaration speech, noted that his intention to serve is aimed at transforming the people and the state.
“I stand before you to formally declare my intention to contest for the office of Governor of this great state under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC). I am Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao (Allow Alao), and I am answering the call to serve. This is not merely a political ambition; it is a solemn commitment to the transformation of our state and the upliftment of every single citizen”
He further presented his mission, tagged Redemption Mission 2027 for Oyo State, as a plan that rests on four major pillars: Agriculture, health, education, and civil service reform. From his speech, he intends to reengineer, redirect, and remodel these four major areas.
“Firstly, Agriculture, We will return agriculture to its pride of place, not as a subsistence activity, but as a thriving, modern, and profitable business. Under my watch, we will return dignity to farming through mechanization centers in each zone – Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo, and Ibadan. Our soil is very rich. Our people are strong,” he said.
He stressed that initiatives like Launch the Feed Ourselves, Feed the Nation, Agricultural Processing Zones, Partnerships with major industries, irrigation schemes, will boost the economy of the state and provide a ready market for farm produce. He also believed that these schemes would make the state the “food basket of the region.”
He also stated that a healthy state is a productive state. “The well-being of our people is non-negotiable. We will undertake a total overhaul of our healthcare system through the Health for All agenda, he said. “We will upgrade our Primary Healthcare Centres to become functional, well-staffed, and equipped as the first line of defence.”
He further emphasized on motivation and accountability where he promised that there will be welfare, timely promotion, and training of civil servants, restoring their pride and passion for service.
He also promised to formulate a performance management, where every department has clear targets and is accountable to the people.
This is the blueprint for a state that works for everyone where our farmers are prosperous, our families are healthy, our children are learned and innovative, and our government is a responsive servant, not a distant master,” he added.
His parting words encompass unity and capacity. “One with capacity- who can unite our party after primaries and win the general election. One with compassion, who sees power as service, not personal. I keep my words. I honour elders. I don’t look down on anyone.”
