A legal practitioner and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ghani Rotimi Arobo, on Thursday declared his intention to contest the House of Representatives seat for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, unveiling an ambitious plan to establish 100 cottage industries across the area.
Arobo, who made the declaration in Owo amid a large gathering of party leaders and supporters, said his 2027 ambition is anchored on transforming the constituency into a self-reliant industrial hub driven by local resources and human capital.
He pledged to shift the constituency from what he described as a primary production base to a value-driven economy, stressing that his approach to representation would focus on policy-driven solutions and institutional development.
According to him, his candidacy is rooted in a commitment to unlock the economic potential of the people and harness available resources for sustainable growth rather than creating artificial interventions.
The aspirant outlined plans to drive industrialisation through the establishment of cottage industries in sectors such as cocoa and cashew processing, ceramics, wood production and agro-processing.
He also proposed the creation of a constituency energy framework by leveraging provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, with a focus on mini-grids and renewable energy solutions to power small-scale industries.
Arobo said he would work with relevant federal agencies, including the Rural Electrification Agency, to support local manufacturing within the solar energy value chain.
On water access, he disclosed plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, the Ondo State Government and UNICEF to deliver solar-powered boreholes across communities, describing water as critical to both social welfare and industrial growth.
The APC aspirant further promised to strengthen security by facilitating specialised training for personnel of the Amotekun Corps, while backing calls for the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity through decentralised policing.
Highlighting human capital development as a key pillar of his agenda, Arobo said he would establish an Entrepreneurship Institute to train youths, with outstanding participants given opportunities for international exposure in manufacturing.
He added that women and vulnerable groups would be prioritised, noting that at least 35 per cent of the institute’s slots would be reserved for women-led enterprises, alongside measures to protect persons with disabilities.
Arobo also announced plans to introduce what he termed an “Open Door Mandate” aimed at ending absentee representation through the establishment of functional constituency offices to enhance engagement with constituents.
In a bid to support local businesses, he said he would partner with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, while also proposing the establishment of the Owo/Ose Development Corporation to serve as a financing vehicle for industrial growth.
Explaining his economic model, Arobo said beneficiaries of his industrial initiative would operate under a phased equity structure designed to increase ownership over time.
He expressed confidence in his capacity to represent the constituency, adding that his ambition is driven by the will of the people and sustained engagement at the grassroots.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the campaign council, Ayo Ilavare, described Arobo as a competent candidate, arguing that it was Owo’s turn to produce the next representative after Ose Local Government held the position for six years.
Also, the Speaker of the Ondo State Youth Parliament, Ayo Shedrack, endorsed the aspirant, saying he possesses the capacity to deliver effective representation.
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Similarly, the Ondo State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Babatunde Omomowo, backed Arobo’s candidacy, citing his commitment to development and grassroots mobilisation.
