Nine days to the Ondo State Governorship Election, there are strong indications that the pendulum will swing in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress candidate and incumbent Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa at the poll, and he will be returned to the Alagbaka State House on November 16.
In fact, the events at his ongoing statewide campaign rallies where royal fathers, community leaders and prominent politicians across the parties, are endorsing him for the election, confirm that Aiyedatiwa is the most popular and acceptable among the 17 candidates contesting the election.
Prominent politicians including leaders and members of the opposition parties, who are convinced that the governor’s return in the coming poll will be a blessing not only to his party, but to the entire people of the state regardless of political affiliations, are decamping in their thousands almost at every rally to join the Aiyedatiwa train.
In fact, the long list of Aiyedatiwa’s achievements in the last ten months, as confirmed at the rallies by the various communities visited so far during the campaign tour, with which the people resonate, dwarf the antecedents of all the opponents at the election.
He has a brilliant record of performance to showcase and convince the electorate that already he has a shining credibility to deliver as promised. This gives Aiyedatiwa a sharp edge over all the other candidates contesting the election with him.
The train of the governor’s rallies which rolled off at the senatorial districts level on November 12, is now on tour of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas. The rallies will be rounded off on November 13.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu captures the events at the rallies in the following words:
“What we are seeing at the rallies are indications that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s programmes, policies and projects resonate with the people hence the resolve to see him continue in office for another term of four years”.
In Akinlosotu’s words: “Beyond his achievements in office in the last nine and half months, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s transparency, passion for all round development and inclusive governance style have continued to endear him to the people thus daily growing his popularity and supporters’ base across the 18 local government areas.
“The people of Ondo State know that the governor is a promise keeper and a man who values his words as bonds, hence they are coming to him to learn of his unrivalled election promises which they are sure would be fulfilled for the benefit of the state and its people.
“Among such promises which are crucial to the people’s support and commitment to his reelection are the assurance to workers that the era of salary delay and percentage is gone in Ondo State, the promised dualisation of Akungba Akoko Road and overhead bridge to the delight of the community and students and as well better infrastructures for the riverine areas.
“The people are using the opportunity of the campaigns to show him appreciation for their roads, improved electricity situation, rural programmes, huge agricultural and food security investments, education interventions, health programmes and as well environmental and housing projects.
“Workers, pensioners, youths, and the private sector operators are rallying behind the governor for continuity and as well new grounds in investments in their welfare and development needs.
“The people of Ondo State can see that Governor Aiyedatiwa is the leader with transformative ideas and ideals who need to continue in the office beyond 2025 for sustainable development in the state. This, they are ready to realize with their votes for Aiyedatiwa of the APC on November 16.”
He added that the jubilant reception accorded the governor at the rallies,and mass defection of many leaders and members of the opposition parties to the governing APC signaled the rejection of the opposition parties by the people.
L – R: Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; Onibudo of Ugboland in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Chief ‘Wole Iroaye; and Minister of Regional Development, Hon Abubakar Momoh at Akure Airport during the Minister’s visit to the state to present relief materials to the victims of sea incursions and flood in the state
Also a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Owo/ Ose Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Timehin Adelegbe, assured that Aiyedatiwa will win the coming November 16 election convincingly.
Adelegbe, in his review of the kick-off of the APC campaign at Ikare Akoko and Ose where the Governor vowed to dualise the Akungba/Ikare road and complete all the abandoned projects in Ose, predicted a resounding victory for the governor in a statement by his S.A Media, Mr. Sola Obagbemisoye,
.He said: “The dualisation of the Akungba/Ikare road will not only open up the area to 21st-century trade and commerce but will also drastically reduce frequent carnage on the road, especially around the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko where some promising and innocent lives have been lost due to avoidable accidents.”
Adeyegbe said: “This is in addition to numerous laudable programs of government under Aiyedatiwa as regular payment of workers salaries, renovation of about 900 classrooms in public primary schools, approval of N1.2billion for the completion of the abandoned projects at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology Okitipupa, all contractors handling state road projects back on sites and flagging-off payment of N335 million scholarship and bursaries for ondo state students, approval of N3.5 billion counterpart fund for the renovation of primary schools across the state among others.
“In Ose and Oredegbe LCDA, the Governor promised to address the problem of insecurity affecting the people and complete all the abandoned projects in the area. Also at Irekari LCDA, Aiyedatiwa assured the people of total reconstruction of Oba/Ikun/Afo/Idoani road as provision has been made for it in the next year year budget.
“With these and other developmental projects across the state, Adelegbe concluded that there is no need to change a performing and people-oriented government because victory is sure for Aiyedatiwa as there is no need changing government meeting the needs of it people.”
Also at Iyansan, where he was honoured as the Jagunmolu of Iyansan by Oba Akinyomi Olasehinde, the Laaragunsin of Ode Iyansan, with the community declaring total support for his election, Aiyedatiwa announced the take-off of the 28km Iyansan-Ajagba-Akotogbo-Iju Osun road.
Besides he promised that he would not interfere with the selection of obas in the state,
He also promised to consolidate his administration’s achievements in the next four years if voted into power at the forthcoming governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa who spoke during his campaign tour of Irele Local Government, told community leaders at the Irele Multipurpose Hall and Civic Centre that his administration had prioritized the security of lives and property because security is crucial for good governance and the development of the state.
He also promised to run an inclusive government, assuring the people of Irele that he would not interfere in the process of selecting a new king for the community, adding that the community would choose its monarch.
Ebenezer Adeniyan, his spokesman, quoted Aiyedatiwa saying, “Whoever the kingmakers choose is the one who will be king. I implore the kingmakers to follow due process so that there will be a smooth selection process”.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Odogbo of Omi, Oba Olorunsola Akinyelure, thanked the governor for prioritising the welfare of traditional rulers, saying: “You have done something for all monarchs in Irele local government. You have empowered us to shoulder our responsibilities. You have listening ears.”
A prominent member of the community, Remi Olatubora, SAN, assured the Governor of the full support of the people of Irele.
He said, “We want to assure you that the kind of margin that nobody has ever had, we will give to you in Irele. This local government will not only vote for you but stand by you.”
To continue…
This special publication was written by the Media Team of the Onibudo of Ugboland and APC Chieftain Chief ‘Wole Iroaye.
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