2023: Amosun Capable Of Solving Nigeria's Economic, Insecurity Woes - Group

Senator Amosun

ABEOKUTA - A political group loyal to former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, The SIA-Advocate has described the ex-governor as the best man capable of solving Nigeria's economy doldrum if elected President in 2023.

SIA Advocate equally said the presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is the best person to address the issues of insecurity, infrastructure, etc in the Country.

The group, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, described the former Governor as the most prepared and fit to occupy the 'throne' after President Muhammadu Bukhari.

In the Statement signed by the National Coordinator, Ishaq Bada and National Organizing Secretary, Afolabi Sunday, the group which claimed to have representations across the 774 local government areas of the Country, maintained that the choice of Amosun was devoid of political affiliation, ethnical biasness or religious sentiments.

While speaking on security, the group maintained that Amosun met Ogun State at a time when men of the underworld had taken over the state forcing banks to close shops, cultism was at its highest, while kidnapping was a daily occurrence.

According to the group, Amosun wasn't only giving directives, he was fighting in the front alongside the security operatives, the initiative which, the group said, did not only leave Ogun State as the most secured State in the federation, but the one which also attracted international award in the West Africa sub-region.

"Senator Amosun took over the governance of Ogun State in 2011 when the State was almost rated the most insecure in the Country, small arms proliferation were more popular than satchels of water, cultism was at its highest, banks couldn't conveniently opened in any part of the State without being robbed, not even the ones within our ivory towers were saved, no one in Ogun State could sleep with two eyes closed.

"Senator Amosun did not only gave marching orders to security operatives, he was leading the battle from the front. The kidnap cases of former CAN President, retired Primate Peter Akinola, in 2013; that of a former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo in 2016; and the kidnap of the spouse of the Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Mrs Muibat Salam in 2012, are few cases of the security dexterity and native intelligence know-how deployed by this industrious Nigerians.

"Senator Amosun responded positively to the challenges with importation of 13 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC’s) from the United States; bought about 200 patrol vans fitted with communication gadgets, purchased 1000 AK-47 rifles, 500 bullet proof vests, 500 bullet proof helmets as well as two million rounds of ammunition for security operatives to be able to combat the hoodlums.

"Amosun made Ogun a hell on earth for the men of the underworld. This effort was recognized by the Security Watch Africa. Senator Amosun was singled out in the whole of West Africa for the “Best Security Conscious State Governor in West Africa”, the award was presented in Accra, Ghana, in 2012.

"The Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Security Watch Africa, Dr. Theresa Oppory singled out Governor Amosun for deserving the ”Best Security Conscious State Governor in West Africa” because of what she identified as his achievements in the security sub-sector since May 2011."

On the economy, the group maintained that Amosun, within three years, improved the economy of Ogun State and took it from 35th position in the Ease of Doing Business to the 3rd position with over 300 companies attracted to the State during his tenure.

"On Economy, Ogun State was ranked 35th out of the 36 states of the federation in the Sub Regional Ease of Doing Business in 2011, within three years at the helms of the affair, the State jumped to the 3rd position in 2014.

"By the time Amosun was leaving Ogun State in 2019, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State which was met at N700 Million Naira per Month had jumped to an average of N6.8 Billion Naira per Month.

"Governor Amosun's investment into the economy wasn't a joke, as in 2017 Ogun State had attracted over 300 industries, and more than 400 by the time he was leaving the State in 2019, with almost half of the industries invested between $2million and $2billion into the State economy with the remaining invested $50 million each.

"In 2013, African Leadership magazine in New York recognized Amosun's efforts at turning the State into a real investment destination of choice. He was awarded the Investment Development Icon Award. But Amosun was never done."

According to the group, By the time he was leaving the State in 2019, Ogun State was the Industrial Capital of the country.

The group also rated the tenure of Amosun high in urban renewal, infrastructure, local content development, and promotion of culture, describing him as the architect of modern Ogun State.

"The introduction of Ogun State Drums Festival in 2016 which later metamorphosized into Africa Drums Festival in 2018, an initiative of Amosun's administration in Ogun State, evolved into a borderless epicenter of cultural renaissance for Africans and the black race in general. The initiative remains unmatched all over the world.

"Senator Amosun’s work rate and capability for critical thinking remain his core leadership attributes, in addition to a commitment to transparency and accountability.

"He approaches every responsibility and task with an infectious passion, commitment, and perseverance. A hands-on leader who leads by example, he has the knack to identify, assemble, and nurture talents to create motivated teams with the capacity to deliver optimal outcomes," the statement read.