A chairmanship aspirant, Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola Sodipo has said that autonomy is not the reason for his chairmanship bid.

He maintained that he has good intention for the local government and that is one of the reasons he is on the race.

Oyegbola disclosed this on Monday after empowering over 1000 loyal party members with cash at Ori- Omi, Abeokuta.

The empowerment program had in attendance,  The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the local government, Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi, Hon. Ayorinde, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abiodun on public communications, Hon. Shobayo and other top politicians within Ogun State and outside the State.

The beneficiaries were picked from ward 1 to 16 of the local government.

Oyegbola while speaking to journalists said said that the initiative was geared towards offering  financial support and relief to individuals during the current economic downturn, to enable them invest to generate a descent livelihood for basic necessities of life.

He said  “I am not doing this because of my political ambition or autonomy but to better the lives of poor people at the grassroots. I have done a lot of empowerment before now and I will continue to, I will not stop, last time I empowered over three thousand people and today, I am doing for one thousand, people. This is not for political reason but to give back to my people who need our support.

He assured the people that this is just the beginning and promised to continue the kind gesture if elected as the next chairman of the local government.

"It is true that  I am on the chairmanship race and it is not the reason for today's empowerment because I have been doing this before now and I will not stop from doing it, we need to give back to our people and the only way is to empower them with cash so they can set up businesses of their choice with it.

Oyegbola while handing over the cash to some the beneficiaries  advised them to make judicious use of the money and  not to see it as a free donation so that he would be encouraged to do more.

“if all of you who have benefited now can put the money into small businesses in your various wards, then you can bring development to your wards because of the multiplier effects”. 

The chairman aspirant also added that he was doing this to compliment the efforts of the Governor of the  State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun who is so passionate about the plight of the people of the State.

"What i have done is to compliment the gesture of  our amiable Governor who is leading by example, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun.

Some of the  beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen thanked Hon. Oyegbola for his wonderful gesture, saying that he has put smiles on their faces in which they will never forget. 

They promised that they would make judicious use of the money. 

Among those that were empowered includes a physically challenged person, aged, Youths, women and members of the party

The party chairman, Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi appreciated Oyegbola for his kind gesture, saying that he would be remembered forever for his good deeds.

She said that he has written his name in gold for his kind gesture today.

Also a political leader in the local government, Hon. Ayorinde described Oyegbola Sodipo as a politician with large heart, praised him for his kind gesture