The Accord Party in Ogun State has provided 300 solar streetlights across rural communities in the state, as it formally commenced preparations for the 2027 governorship election and the unveiling of its campaign council.
The party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Agbongboakala Olaniyi Shuaib, disclosed this over the weekend at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.
He explained that the lighting initiative was part of efforts to address infrastructure gaps in underserved communities and promote rural development.
The State Chairman of the party, Hon Oke Michael, informed that the solar-lighting project will see 100 streetlights installed in selected rural communities in each of the three senatorial districts.
He said the initiative was being funded by the party’s gubernatorial hopeful, as part of his contribution to rural development and the provision of basic infrastructure.
“The Ogun Lighting Project is an evidence of the kind of development that Accord plans to achieve on a grander scale once the party is mandated to govern Ogun State,” Oke said.
He added that the project was expected to enhance security and public safety while enabling businesses and markets in beneficiary communities to operate for longer hours.
Oke said the lighting project was only the beginning, adding that the party intended to expand the initiative if elected.
“This is going to be a pilot project. We want to start with this initial phase and see how it works. If everything goes well, the next phase could be 1,000 solar streetlights. By God’s grace, we will be able to do it.”
The chairman also disclosed that the party had sponsored 84 students for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination, describing the intervention as part of the party’s grassroots-oriented approach.
He said the party would continue to unveil programmes aimed at education, infrastructure and community development.
Addressing supporters at the event, Okewole outlined what he described as his administration’s development agenda if elected governor.
He promised to introduce what he called “Operation No Pothole”, under which his administration would intervene in the rehabilitation of roads across the state, including federal roads, subject to the necessary approvals.
“There will be no demarcation as to whether a road is a state or federal road. There are no federal people. Everyone who plies a road in Ogun State is either an Ogun resident or a visitor,” he said.
“We cannot afford to leave our roads unattended simply because we are waiting for the Federal Government to come and repair them. Therefore, there will be Operation No Pothole in Ogun State.”
On healthcare, the ACCORD Party candidate promised to revitalise health facilities ranging from primary healthcare centres to general and teaching hospitals.
He also pledged to tackle abandoned projects in the health sector.
On education, Okewole said his administration would prioritise teachers’ welfare and improve remuneration across the civil service.
“No state, country or society has developed by paying lip service to education,” he said.
He also promised to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment while intervening directly in areas where government participation would be necessary to generate employment.
The candidate said his administration would target the creation of 550,000 jobs within its first four years, citing the need to prepare Ogun’s growing youthful population for the labour market.
He said the proposed economic strategy would focus on manufacturing, the blue, green and circular economies, as well as intellectual and creative industries.
“We will create a conducive business environment for businesses to thrive and for private investors to come and do business,” he said.
“But we will not put our lives and our destinies entirely in the hands of the private sector. Where government needs to employ our people, government will employ them.”
Okewole also unveiled an ambitious proposal for a state-backed venture-capital framework to support startups and technology-driven businesses.
He said Ogun should take advantage of its proximity to Lagos to attract high-value businesses and investors.
The candidate said his long-term blueprint envisaged Ogun developing an economy capable of matching Lagos in scale, while targeting the emergence of high-value startups.
His proposal includes a state-sponsored venture-capital framework under which government funding would be matched by private investors.
According to him, eligible businesses would be expected to employ Ogun residents and domicile their operations in the state.
The aim, he said, would be to provide capital for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and create employment.
Okewole further promised reforms in pension administration, saying retirees would receive their gratuities within 90 days of retirement if his party forms the government.
“You can quote me. You can put this in black and white. I am prepared to sign it,” he said.
He proposed an automated system that would begin processing a worker’s pension and gratuity several months before retirement.
He also promised to review the minimum wage in consultation with organised labour, arguing that the current wage was inadequate in view of prevailing living costs.
The candidate said ACCORD wanted Ogun civil servants to be among the best remunerated in the country while demanding higher productivity in return.
In his speech, Okewole criticised the incumbent APC administration, alleging that it had failed to deliver adequately in areas including infrastructure, healthcare, education and employment.
He challenged the government to identify what he described as a defining achievement that could serve as a campaign record.
Okewole also criticised what he described as the use of poverty and financial inducements in electoral politics.
“We are campaigning to the conscience and hearts of Ogun people because we do not intend to commodify any Ogun indigene,” he said.
He urged party members to take Accord’s message to communities ahead of the 2027 election.
“Tell them that it is not enough to continue complaining about government. If you want change, you must seek it and participate in bringing it about,” he said.
Meanwhile, the party, in its magnanimity, honoured a retired police officer, Abiodun Anifat Bello, for what it described as dedicated and meritorious service to the nation.
Michael said Accord Party believed public servants who had contributed to the development of Ogun deserved recognition and support after retirement.
The party Chairman said the recognition formed part of the organisation’s broader commitment to valuing public service.
