…Promises 100 Cottage industries, new ideas.
There was a massive turnout of party faithful and leaders when an Owo-born legal practitioner, Mr Ghani Rotimi Arobo, on Thursday declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State.
Arobo made his declaration in Owo, where he unveiled his plans to reposition the constituency’s socio-economic status, promising to establish 100 cottage industries in the federal constituency.
The APC Chieftain said his 2027 ambition was driven by a vision to transform the constituency from a primary production base into a self-sustaining industrial hub.
“I enter this arena with a professional pedigree that combines legal mastery with high-level corporate and political experience. My candidacy is founded on the belief that representation is an act of engineering, identifying structural gaps and applying the right policy and organisational tools to fix them,” he stated.
“I do not seek to create something ‘new’ in a vacuum; I seek to unlock the latent power of the Owo/Ose people, our lands, and our traditions.”
The Aspirant also pledged to support improved security by facilitating specialised training for Amotekun Corps personnel through relevant federal agencies.
He added, “By leveraging the Electricity Act 2023, we will facilitate the creation of a ‘Constituency Energy Hub.’ Through the Rural Electrification Agency, we will facilitate small-scale manufacturing in the solar energy value chain and prioritise mini-grids to meet local energy needs, ensuring our industrial clusters have the power they need to thrive,” he pledged.
Arobo further proposed a partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the Ondo State Government and UNICEF to deliver solar-powered boreholes across communities in the constituency.
Speaking during his declaration, Arobo expressed confidence in his capacity to deliver, stating, “I can do this, I can represent the people of Owo/Ose.” He stressed that his ambition is rooted in popular will, adding, “the decision belongs to the people; I will keep engaging my people.”
He also linked the current democratic process to reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “we are having direct Primaries because the president wants power to belong to the people.”
On security, Arobo declared support for structural reforms, “we are going to support the creation of state police, so there would be broader shift toward decentralized policing to address insecurity”
Outlining his vision, he emphasized human capital development, stating, “our people are our greatest asset,” and highlighted plans to train youths through an Entrepreneurship Institute, with top performers sent abroad to understudy global manufacturing practices.
On inclusion, Arobo said, “true prosperity is only achievable when the most vulnerable are integrated into the value chain,” revealing that 35 percent of the institute’s intake would be reserved for women-led industries, alongside plans for accessibility audits to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
He also introduced an “Open Door Mandate,” declaring, “I am ending the era of absentee representation,” with plans to establish fully staffed constituency offices to serve as citizen engagement centres.
In the area of economic development, Arobo proposed a partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to boost local businesses, while unveiling the Owo/Ose Development Corporation as the financial backbone of his strategy.
Explaining his industrial model, he said, “to actualize my vision of sustainable production, I propose a revolutionary 90–10 equity model,” adding that beneficiaries would grow from 30 percent ownership in year one to 90 percent by year four.
He further stated that he would establish 100 cottage industries to boost economy of the people, focusing on sectors such as ceramics, cocoa and cashew processing, wood production, and agro-processing.
Addressing infrastructure, he described the electricity situation as dire and promised to leverage existing laws to deliver energy solutions, including mini-grids and solar-powered initiatives.
On water access, he noted, “water is not just a social utility; it is a critical industrial feedstock,” outlining plans for partnerships to deliver solar-powered boreholes across the constituency.
Summing up his ambition, Arobo said, “my vision is to transform Owo/Ose from a primary producer enclave into a self-sustaining industrial hub,” adding that the goal is to move away from a “handout economy,” Arobo said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the campaign council, Mr Ayo Ilavare, described Arobo as experienced and competent, adding that it was Owo’s turn to produce the next representative after Ose Local Government had held the position for six years.
Also, the Speaker of the Ondo State Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Ayo Shedrack, threw his weight behind the aspirant, describing him as the best candidate for the job.
“He is the best man for the job and has what it takes to deliver quality representation to the people of Owo/Ose Federal Constituency. Also we the GRA Campaign Council has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Ondo State, Mr Babatunde Omomowo, endorsed Arobo, noting that the aspirant had demonstrated capacity and commitment to development.
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