Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has warned Governor Seyi Makinde against any attempt to convert Cheshire Home to a private estate.
The party gave the warning in a statement signed by its Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, made available to New Telegraph on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Cheshire Home, located along the Sango/ Eleyele Road in Ibadan North Local Government Area, is a non-profit organisation set up in 1959 to provide a supportive, family-like environment, care, medical treatment, education, and vocational training for persons with disabilities and rescued street youths.
A report surfaced on Thursday that the state government had concluded plans to convert the home into a private estate, but the Special Adviser on Media to the governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in his defence, had noted that all the actions taken by the State Government were following due process.
Akinoso, in his reaction, described the move by the government to convert the home to a private estate as a sad development, explaining that such a move will add to the problems and hardship facing persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the state.
He used the opportunity to advise the state governor to rescind his decision, saying, “Oyo State government’s admission of converting Cheshire Home land at Eleyele to a private estate is a shame. The Peoples Democratic Party, Oyo State, read the statement signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Makinde, admitting conversion of Cheshire Home land to a private estate with disdain.
“The claim of using “due process” is an oppressive method to subdue the interest of less privileged citizens in which Cheshire Home belongs. It is sad and disheartening that the Oyo State government can descend low to use instruments of office to hijack properties of a non-profit organisation set up since 1959 to provide a supportive, family-like environment, care, medical treatment, education, and vocational training for disabled children and adults, including rescued street youth.
“What is expected of a good and caring government that we presently lack in Oyo State, is to protect the interests of the citizens, especially people with disabilities, not converting their properties to private use, which the Oyo State government of the day is known for.
“The Peoples Democratic Party kicks against this impunity and assures Cheshire Home management and other victims of state land grabbers that the decision will be reversed. To achieve this, Oyo residents must use their votes to reject the continuation of the official land grabbers in any disguise”, he said.
