…> as President Muhammadu Buhari receives Governor Akeredolu
…> deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi snubs the event
•••> perceived APC Lawmakers loyal to Agboola sighted in Abuja
The National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja bustled as teeming supporters, groups and loyalists of the incumbent governor of Ondo state, Arakuntin Rotimi Akeredolu submits his nomination form for his second term bid in office.
The governor who arrived Abuja on Tuesday paid a visit to the office of the President, Muhammadu Buhari at the state House in Abuja to present his expression of interest form to the President and seek his blessings in the coming poll.
Governor Akeredolu afterwards arrived the Party Secretariat to submit his Nomination form and was received by his already standing supporters who trooped out in numbers to show solidarity to the governor.
In the list of the governor's convoy are State Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Information Commissioner, Mr Donald Ojogo, Commissioner for Works, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, APC lawmakers in the state who are loyalists to the governor, local government caretaker chairmen, different campaign groups for the governor, and other stakeholders.
It will be recalled that this time last week some groups of supporters and some APC lawmakers in the state took it upon themselves to obtain the nomination and expression of interest forms for Governor Akeredolu in Abuja.
However it was surprising to see some APC lawmakers perceived as deputy governor, Alfred Agboola's loyalists who earlier withdrew from contributing to their colleagues efforts in purchasing expression of Interest form for the governor accept defeat early by attending the event today in Abuja while the three diehard lawmakers who are the deputy governors core loyalists were left alone in the struggle.
Addressing the people, Governor Akeredolu said he was moved by the show of love from the people, assuring that he will never betray the trust reposed in him.
He said the party in the state is now more united than ever, adding that the leaders and members of the party who have come to solidarise with him in Abuja are the main symbol party.
Arakunrin Akeredolu said: "I want to thank all of you. When I got in there, I did not know that we have a carnival like affair, but Covid-19 protocol full compliant people. I am aware of the number of our people that have come here to be part of the submission of this form
"I have done this two times and I know that we kept trying with two buses. What I have seen here today, I am moved by your love. I can assure you we will not betray this trust you have in me. All of us are now on the same page. Why won't I thank God for all you have done for me.
"I want to believe that there are reasons for us to be united. Our party today is more united than ever. I don't know who else will claim to be the party. To me, this is the party."
Who becomes Governor Akeredolu's running mate in the coming poll is not yet in the public domain as it glaring his present deputy has quietly withdrawn from the race to contest his principal for same position in another party.
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