I joined Ogun Governorship race in order to improve living condition of people, ADP guber candidate

I joined Ogun Governorship race in order to improve living condition of people, ADP guber candidate

* Unveils plan

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Dr. Johncrownfit Anifowose, has promised to tackle poverty, hunger and hardship through people-centred governance, free healthcare, free education and youth empowerment, if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.

Anifowose made the assertion on Wednesday during the unveiling of his candidacy at Itoko, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

He declared that his ambition was driven by a desire to improve the living conditions of residents and provide an alternative to what he described as years of hardship and inadequate attention to the people’s welfare.

The ADP candidate said his administration, if elected, would prioritise the welfare of residents through policies aimed at reducing economic hardship, improving access to essential services, creating employment opportunities and protecting lives and property.

He said, “Today, we are here to rise and bring about an end to hardship and poverty in our land. We have seen the problems that have been baffling our people from time immemorial. Many times, political parties come to seek the support of the people, but when they get there, they continue the exercise of hardship and poverty for the people.

“But the end of poverty, hardship and hunger for our people has come. We are here to unveil my candidacy for the governorship of Ogun State.”

Crownfit explained that his proposed administration would introduce free healthcare services for residents, irrespective of their ethnic background or place of origin, while also providing free education as part of measures to ease the financial burden on families.

According to him, the proposed policies are designed to ensure that access to essential services is not determined by an individual’s financial circumstances.

“We are assuring the people that we are here to remove poverty and hardship from their lives, give them good governance, free healthcare and free education, and make sure that the challenges they have been facing come to an end,” he said.

He candidate said the party had developed a seven-point programme that would focus on security, healthcare, industrialisation, youth and women empowerment, social welfare and other critical areas of development.

He identified security as a major priority, noting that residents had suffered considerably from insecurity and deserved a government committed to protecting lives and property.

“Our people have suffered enough in the hands of insecurity. One of the major components of the seven-point agenda we are bringing to the fore is security,” he stated.

On economic development, Crownfit said he intended to attract more investors to Ogun State to expand industrial activities and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

He disclosed that discussions were ongoing with prospective investors in Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United States, among other countries, to explore opportunities for investment in the state.

“We are going to industrialise Ogun State more than it is presently. I am in talks with investors in Japan, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Canada and America. They are coming to our state to bring development and establish more companies so that there will be jobs for the youths,” he said.

The ADP candidate also promised empowerment programmes for young people and women, alongside a proposed monthly financial support scheme for elderly residents aged 65 and above.

He said the initiatives would form part of his administration’s broader social protection agenda, adding that the government would pursue urbanisation and rural integration to improve living standards across the state.

Anifowose linked his political ambition to the ideals of the late nationalist and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whom he described as a leader whose programmes were centred on the welfare and development of the people.

He noted that he was born in 1979, the year Awolowo contested the presidential election, and expressed the belief that his administration would pursue the development aspirations associated with the late sage’s political philosophy.

“I was born in the year that Awolowo was supposed to become the President of Nigeria. I was born in 1979, and I believe that what Awolowo was not able to do is what I am coming to do,” he said.

He added, “Awolowo was a leader whose programmes were centred on the people. We are bringing people-centred government that will be able to ameliorate the suffering of our people.”

The candidate described his emergence as the party’s flag bearer as divinely ordained, expressing confidence that his leadership would transform the state if given the mandate in 2027.

He said, “I am a man of compassion, empathy and sympathy. I do not like my people to suffer. I am assuring the people of Ogun State that I am the man for the job. When they vote for me, their lives will be transformed.”

Anifowose further pledged to draw on development models from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden and Canada to improve infrastructure and public services in Ogun State.

He also expressed confidence in the electoral process, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of the 2027 elections.

In her remarks, the ADP State Chairperson, Ambassador Dr. Yeye Olufunke Olanrewaju, called for a change in the state’s political direction, arguing that the prevailing economic challenges made it necessary for political actors to offer practical alternatives.

“We need to change the narrative of this state. As it is now, we all see what is going on. There is no food, there is no money. How do we go about it? Can we just fold our arms and watch? It is not done. If you do not make a move, you cannot get there,” Ariwaji said.

She expressed optimism that the party would make a strong showing in the 2027 elections, adding that its candidate was a native of Itoko in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Olanrewaju also urged residents, particularly women, to participate actively in the election and remain vigilant after casting their ballots.

“I want all women to come out and cast their votes. After casting your votes, stand by your votes. Nothing should shake you,” she said.

She appealed to INEC to conduct a credible election and ensure that the candidate who receives the highest number of lawful votes is declared the winner.

“I want INEC to do the needful and be faithful. Whoever wins must be announced as the winner. They do not need to play any hanky-panky game again,” she added.

Also speaking, the Ogun State Secretary of the ADP, Hon. Ola Olamide Emmanuel, expressed confidence in Crownfit’s ability to deliver, arguing that the country’s development challenges stemmed largely from a deficit of effective leadership rather than a lack of resources or talent.

Emmanuel said the party would insist that its candidate’s policies and decisions remained consistent with its manifesto, stressing that grassroots participation would be central to the party’s approach to governance.

“The problem the country is having is not really resources, and the problem is not talent. It is just leadership deficit,” he said.

He explained that the party’s decision to rally around the candidate was informed by its commitment to achieving meaningful political change through what he described as a credible political platform.

Emmanuel further argued that governance would become more responsive if people with a direct understanding of local challenges were appointed to positions of responsibility.

“If grassroots people surround a candidate, a leader or a government, you will see a difference. If grassroots people are the advisers of a governor, he will understand the feelings on the street,” he stated.

He criticised what he described as the tendency of some political leaders to adopt policies without adequately considering the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians, particularly those at the grassroots.

The ADP secretary disclosed that the party intended to draw prospective commissioners from community development associations and other grassroots structures to ensure that government appointments reflected the needs and experiences of local communities.

“As we are coming, we are having our commissioners from the community development associations. We will not dictate for Ogun State; we will bring our commissioners from the grassroots. They understand the realities of our society,” he said.

Emmanuel maintained that effective governance required policies tailored to the country’s social and economic conditions rather than the wholesale adoption of foreign models without adequate local adaptation.

He cited China as an example of a country he believed had developed by implementing policies suited to its own circumstances, insisting that Ogun State needed leadership that understood the needs and aspirations of its people.

The unveiling brought together party officials and local government chairpersons to deliberate on the candidate’s emergence and the party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

The ADP said it was positioning itself as an alternative political platform, with its leadership expressing confidence that its proposed people-oriented policies and grassroots approach to governance would appeal to voters across Ogun State.