The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, has criticised the practice of using seasonal gestures and election-time inducements as substitutes for effective governance.
Sowunmi-Kolapo said governance should instead be judged by a leader’s ability to identify problems, provide sustainable solutions and improve the living conditions of citizens.
She made the remarks on Sunday while receiving the PDP candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Toyin Amuzu, who visited her ahead of the official commencement of his campaign for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
Her comments followed Amuzu’s intervention in the Ibara-Omida community, where he assisted residents in addressing the prolonged problem caused by a faulty transformer.
Sowunmi-Kolapo questioned why residents had been left without electricity for an extended period over an issue she described as requiring only a modest intervention.
“Why should our people remain in darkness for this long simply because of the failure to address a problem that could have been resolved with a modest intervention?”
She argued that the situation demonstrated the difference between leaders genuinely committed to public service and those whose political activities are largely focused on impressing voters, particularly during election periods.
The PDP chieftain also criticised what she described as the APC’s reliance on lavish spending, “Greek gifts” and political displays as strategies for winning elections.
She commended Amuzu’s intervention, describing it as an example of the people-oriented leadership she said the PDP represents.
In his response, Amuzu assured residents that his commitment to the people of Abeokuta South remained firm.
He promised to continue supporting communities in the constituency when necessary, adding that his ambition was to provide effective representation and use his position in the National Assembly to attract meaningful development to the area.
Amuzu is expected to officially commence his campaign for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency seat on Wednesday.
