The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Saheed Oladele, said the electorate needs to wake up to the reality that supporting candidates for political office requires financial backing.

Mr Oladele stated this on Monday during an interview in Ibadan.

The governorship candidate said that the electorate’s financial support for their chosen candidates would make all the difference in electing credible leaders.

“As long as people continue to expect politicians who have embezzled public funds to share money shortly before elections, there will never be real change.

“Instead, people should contribute whatever they can, no matter how little, to support credible leaders.

“When such a person eventually gets into office, he will understand that the people truly brought him to power and not stolen money or political manipulation,” he said

Mr Oladele said that the SDP has credible candidates seeking political office and the followership to win governorship and other positions in the state in the 2027 general elections.

He assured that if the party’s candidates are elected in the 2027 general election, Nigeria would be better for it.

Mr Oladele said he decided to contest the governorship position in the state because things were not as they ought to be, adding that there was hardship in the state.

The SDP governorship candidate said that if voted into power, the standard of education and healthcare would be improved, just as employment creation would receive priority.

“When you truly have organic followership, you feel free to make independent decisions.

“That is why when I left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join SDP, many people were shocked, but all my followers are still with me,” Mr Oladele said.

The SDP governorship candidate said he has no doubt about the strength of the SDP in Oyo State to produce the next governor.

(NAN)