...says "my second term will bring more prosperity to riverine communities"
We do not betray our benefactors in Apoi Land, Forgive Agboola Ajayi – Kekemeke, Sola Iji, Ojogo, others beg Akeredolu
In what looks like a promise of hope to the power-agitated people of Ondo South Senatorial District, the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday, assured the people of Ese/Odo Local Government area of the state that his victory in the forthcoming governorship election is an automatic guarantee of a return of governorship position to the zone in 2024.
The governor, who spoke at the flag-off of his second term campaign held at Local Authority Primary School playing ground at Igbekebo, the headquarters of EseOdo Local Government Area, vowed to personally lead the struggle for return of governorship position to the senatorial district if he wins the insignia of power for another term.
The people of Ondo State are expected to troop out to elect another helmsman on October 10, 2020.
Akeredolu, the incumbent Governor, a native of Owo, in the Northern Senatorial District, is the flag-bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing a tumultuous crowd that thronged the venue of the event, Akeredolu, said asides the fact that his mother is from Ipotu in Apoi and his father's mother is from there, too, his support for return of governorship power to the south in 2024 is borne out of equity, justice and fairness.
In his words, Akeredolu, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said "I am from Owo but my mother is an Apoi. I am one of you. My re-election is your project because it is my victory that can facilitate the actualization of your yearnings for governorship position.
"Asides that my current reign is the reign of Apoi people, let me assure you, by the grace of God, I will ensure that power return to the Southern Senatorial District in 2024 if you re-elect me to return to Alagbaka.
"My victory guarantees hope of a southern governor after me. You can mark my words. I am a man of my words. If you vote for the man from the Central (apparently referring to the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, SAN), the south will have to wait for another 16years because after the central, the North will say it is their turn again," he declared.
Continuing, Akeredolu asked the cheering crowd "can you wait for another 16 years before power return to the South? Do you want your people to wait for sixteen years" the crowd chorused "NO"
The Governor reiterated his promise to the people of his commitment to turn the southern senatorial district to a land of wealth and prosperity through construction of what he described as the largest deep sea port in West Africa.
He also promised to construct more roads in the local government, if re-elected.
He urged the people to reject his estranged Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), because he doesn't have the intellectual power to govern the state.
Meanwhile, in what looks like a disclaimer of Ajayi over his battles with Akeredolu, prominent leaders of the APC in Eseodo LGA have described the manner in which the Deputy Governor dumped the APC as treacherous and perfidious, stressing that such attitude is strange to Apoi people.
The leaders, led by a former Nigerian Ambassador of Nigeria to Togo, Ambassador Sola Iji, pioneer chairman of the APC in the state, Hon, D.I Kekemeke and the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Donald Ojogo, amongst others, apologised to Akeredolu over what they described as a "betrayal of trust" on the part of Agboola Ajayi".
In their various remarks, the leaders promised to deliver 75% of votes from the local government to the APC on October 10th.
The Director-General of the Akeredolu/Ayedaiwa Governorship Campaign Organization, Rt. Hon. Victor Adekanye Olabimtan, in his remarks, urged the people of the local government to return to their respective polling units to mobilize the people for the victory of the party.
Olabimtan, a former speaker of the state House of Assembly, said after the late former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, no governor has developed the southern senatorial district more than Akeredolu.
The Chairman of the APC in the state, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, received about 500 members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the local government led by the party's chairman in Iparamo Ward 2, Mr. Jone Magu, into the ruling party.
Others bigwigs present at the rally included Chief Olusola Oke, Akeredolu's running mate, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, amongst others.
