Date: 2003-01-08

Governorship aspirant and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo, has ditched the PDP and pitched camp with the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Olawepo, who until he left the PDP was a governorship aspirant in Kwara State, told THISDAY last night that his formal declaration for the new party would be made in the days ahead.

He said he left the PDP after due consultations with his family and his supporters, and assured that he was still in the gubernatorial race.

"I am still in the race. But I am moving to a new party where I feel I can realise my ambition," he added.

Restating his mission, Olawepo said: "Those of us who knew what Kwara was, will agree with me that the urgent challenge of our time is to rebuild the state because it is now in ruins.

"Kwara before now was a State of industry and great agricultural enterprise. From the flourishing paper mill at Jebba that employed over 40,000 people at its peak, to the sugar company in Bacita that was home to over 4,000 workers.

"From Matchco industry that employed a great number of people to Tate and Lyle, Philip Morris, Pepsi Plant at Ilorin. From the budding steel works at Ajase-Ipo to the Singer Plant at Sanmora, the state had a sizeable industrial economy.

The aspirant said if voted into office he would "build a new Kwara by creating an economic base through rapid industrialisation and agricultural development programmes.