The African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Ambassador Dare Bejide, has pledged to end banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity within 24 months of his administration if elected in the forthcoming June 20 governorship election.
Bejide, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti Council monthly congress in Ado-Ekiti, said he has a “strategic, workable solution” to end banditry and kidnapping in Ekiti State.
According to the former Secretary to the State Government, his administration would prioritize intelligence-driven policing, community security architecture, and youth employment to address the root causes of crime.
“Bejide, who described insecurity as a major threat to development, said his government would deploy technology such as distress alert devices linked to a central control room to enable citizens to alert security agencies during emergencies.
He noted that some of the current challenges facing the country would be surmounted if the environment was secured, adding that his government would be “people-driven” and would consider the interest of the people in every programme and policy.
Bejide said:”whatever project we are going to embark on will impact the majority of the people, the most urgent assignment for me as governor is to take our youngsters from the streets and the only thing to do is to start by employing those who have the necessary skills.
“Apart from that, we will make agriculture more attractive to the youngsters.We will also establish as soon as possible skill acquisition centers to make their employment more competitive.
“We will also try and fix some of the critical roads around us.We will make sure that we establish community policing agency in the state to fight insecurity.
Because it’s secure.
“We will establish cottage industries in all local governments. We will introduce mechanized farming to create jobs and boost food production,” he added.
Bejide disclosed that his decision to contest was borne out of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and his desire to restore dignity, security, and prosperity to Ekiti people.
He urged voters to shun vote-buying and elect a candidate with capacity, experience, and integrity to move the state forward.
