PDP Senatorial Candidate, Olunloyo Unveils Manifesto for Oyo Central, Gives Priority to Security, Healthcare, Education

The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Engineer Ayobami Akinyode Olunloyo, has unveiled security, healthcare and education as the major pillars of his manifesto ahead of the senatorial election.

Olunloyo unveiled his fundamental objectives during a parley with journalists at PentonRise Event Hall, Aare Avenue, New Bodija, Ibadan, where he outlined his priorities and proposed initiatives for the district if elected into the Senate.

He identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting Oyo State, particularly Oyo Central, stressing that tackling the problem would be among his primary legislative priorities.

According to the candidate, available statistics indicate that many needless deaths have been recorded in Oyo Central, a development he described as alarming and requiring urgent intervention.

He explained that the reported mortality rate was not solely a security concern but also reflected challenges within the healthcare system, including preventable deaths, maternal mortality, inadequate emergency response and poorly equipped primary healthcare facilities.

Olunloyo said improving healthcare delivery would be a major focus of his proposed representation, noting that development would remain difficult without adequate protection of lives and access to essential medical services.

He pledged to advocate the upgrading of primary healthcare centres, improved funding for health services and accessible health insurance for rural residents across the senatorial district.

On education, the candidate identified dilapidated school buildings and a shortage of teaching materials as challenges requiring urgent attention.

He promised to push for improved educational infrastructure and the provision of essential learning materials to create a more conducive learning environment for students across the district.

Olunloyo also pledged to prioritise the welfare of men, women, youths and members of the diaspora, saying his decision to contest the senatorial seat on the PDP platform was driven by a desire to serve the people and advance their collective interests.

He maintained that the people should remain at the centre of governance, stressing that their welfare and development should guide political decisions and legislative representation.

Speaking on security, Olunloyo said protecting lives and property was essential to the development of communities across Oyo Central, adding that insecurity could disrupt economic activities and affect residents’ ability to go about their daily lives.

“Security must be a major priority because our people deserve to live and conduct their businesses without fear. If elected, I will use my position in the Senate to advocate effective measures that will strengthen security and address the concerns of residents across the district,” he said.

On healthcare, the PDP candidate emphasised the need to improve primary healthcare facilities and make essential medical services more accessible, particularly to residents of rural communities.

“We must strengthen our primary healthcare centres, improve funding and ensure that our people have access to affordable medical services. Healthcare should not be beyond the reach of ordinary residents, especially vulnerable people who need timely medical attention,” Olunloyo said.

Addressing education, he stressed that improving school infrastructure and providing adequate learning materials were necessary to create better opportunities for children and young people across the district.

“Our children deserve a conducive learning environment, equipped schools and the materials they need to succeed. I will advocate improvements in educational infrastructure and support initiatives that will help our young people acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the future,” he said.

Expanding on his manifesto, Olunloyo said his ambition was rooted in the belief that politics should be about making life work for the people, rather than merely making promises during election campaigns.

He said his engagements with communities across Oyo Central had exposed him to everyday challenges, including poor roads, difficulties transporting farm produce, water scarcity and inadequate access to basic services.

According to him, development should be measured by its direct impact on residents’ lives and not simply by government announcements or the number of projects listed on paper.

“Development is not what government announces. Development is what people can use,” he said, stressing the need for practical interventions that respond to the actual needs of communities.

The candidate noted that Oyo Central comprises 11 local government areas with different economic and social needs, covering communities around Ibadan, the Oyo town belt and the Ogbomoso axis. He said effective representation must recognise these differences and ensure that no part of the district is neglected.

He also drew attention to poverty and the economic difficulties confronting residents, citing a 2022 National Bureau of Statistics multidimensional poverty estimate of 44.8 per cent for Oyo Central. He argued that job creation, support for small businesses, improved agricultural productivity and better access to education and healthcare should form part of a broader response to these challenges.

Olunloyo outlined six key areas of focus in his proposed agenda: Iṣẹ́ Wa (Work in Our Hands), Ẹ̀kọ́ Wa (Education for Our Children), Oúnjẹ Wa (Food on Our Tables), Ìlera Wa (Health in Our Households), Ààbò Wa (Safety in Our Homes) and Ìní Tiwa (Our Heritage and Future). He said the priorities were intended to address employment, education, food security, healthcare, safety and the long-term interests of the people.

He explained that, as a senator, his responsibility would include lawmaking, oversight and advocating projects and policies that could improve the lives of constituents. He also promised to promote transparency in constituency projects, proposing an open project register within six months of assuming office, quarterly updates and annual public accountability meetings across the 11 local government areas.

The PDP candidate stressed that representation should not end with election victory but should involve regular engagement with constituents, listening to their concerns and reporting back on actions taken on their behalf.

Olunloyo reiterated his commitment to representing the interests of men, women, youths and members of the diaspora, noting that effective representation required listening to constituents and pursuing practical solutions to their challenges.

He maintained that security, healthcare and education would remain central to his proposed agenda, alongside employment, agriculture, food security and accountable representation, with the overall objective of promoting the welfare and development of residents across Oyo Central Senatorial District.