The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, has declared that he will not step down for Sarafadeen Alli nor Bimbo Adekanmbi or any candidate ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting he is best positioned to lead the state.
Adegoke made the declaration during an interview on Fresh FM 105.9’s Political Circuit in Ibadan on Saturday, where he unveiled his nine-point SOLUTIONS agenda covering security, organic agriculture, livelihood and job creation, urban renewal, healthcare and education, industrialisation and infrastructure, teachers’ welfare, technology and socio-economic development.
His response followed a question on rumours that he was not serious about the contest and would eventually step down for a major candidate.
“If you listened to my interview on the BBC, I said it. I am ready to welcome people to work with me, but I am not stepping down for anybody. Adegboyega Adegoke is not stepping down for anybody,” he said.
On security, he promised community-based policing involving traditional rulers, local leaders and youth patrol groups, supported with stipends, training, equipment and technology.
He also promised to rehabilitate at least 10 inner roads in each of the 33 local government areas within his first 100 days in office, amounting to 330 roads.
On agriculture and industrialisation, he proposed improved seeds, more extension workers, better market access and measures to reduce post-harvest losses.
He said he had identified 64 moribund industries for possible revival, while promising to pursue gas supply to Ibadan through NIPCO, optimise the dry port established by the Federal Government around Moniya/Ijaye and develop a 5,000-hectare cocoa project in Oluyole.
His infrastructure agenda includes a proposed three-phase railway connecting Moniya to Iseyin, Iseyin to Okeho, and Okeho to Saki, estimated at about $300 million. He said the project would require collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and relevant federal agencies.
Adegoke pledged to respect local government autonomy, ensure transparent council budgets and improve accountability.
He also proposed monthly stipends for residents aged 75 and above, arguing that the programme could be funded by cutting wasteful expenditure.
On electricity, he cited the Electricity Act 2023 as an opportunity for state-led power generation and distribution. He proposed an Oke-Ogun solar farm, a gas-powered plant for Ibadan and interventions involving Ikere Gorge and Eleyele dams.
The chartered accountant and agricultural economist said his experience at Deloitte and Schlumberger, alongside 35 years of managing industrial relations involving NUPENG and PENGASSAN, had prepared him for governance.
He also cited his philanthropic interventions, including N20 million for the rehabilitation of an agricultural farm at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and scholarships for outstanding agriculture and physics students at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
He said his campaign would focus on issues and practical solutions rather than personal attacks on opponents.
