By Banji Ayoola
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Ondo State, has rededicated itself and its government to good governance.
It recommitted itself in its New Year message to the people of the state, which was titled “Ondo State APC’s New Year 2021 Goodwill Message:
Dialogue and Cooperation Panacea For Growth and Development”, and signed by its State Director of Media and Publicity, My Steve Otaloro.
It said: “It is with profound sense of joy and gratitude to God that we forward this New Year 2021 greetings to all the citizens and residents of Ondo State at the dawn of another year.
“It is our hope that the New Year brings good tidings to our people as our party continues to charter the path towards peace, unity, growth and development in keeping with our vision when our party took over the governance of the state about four years ago.
“A new year always brings with it a renewed sense of optimism and hope for a bright future. The APC shares this feeling of optimism which is founded on the immeasurable progress the state has made under the visionary leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration.
“Our party in the New Year will continue to remain a pragmatic participant in the development of the State and its people. That much we assure you.
“In this New Year, the APC remains committed to working towards activating the dynamics to overcome the challenges that our people face daily and provide answers to those questions defining the values of our existence.
“The APC will continue to address all matters affecting the welfare of our members and that of our numerous supporters, well, that of all Ondo State indigenes and residents alike.
“Our party and the government will continue to remain faithful to the vision of providing good governance. We will work towards creating a society in which there shall be equal opportunity for all.
“Our party is of the view that critical to the realisation of the above objectives are the needs to build trust at the public domain and create viable political environment for all to live and enjoy the dividends of democracy as are available.”
The party said: “Confrontations and threats must give way to dialogue and the good of the state should remain paramount in all our political engagements and discourse.
“It is clear from the standpoint of our party that there is a strong political will to find common grounds. The present government in the state has always acknowledged the importance of multi-party, democratic system and we have always sought to ensure that opposition parties are not treated with disdain.
“The attainment of political power by democratic means is acknowledged as a legitimate object which is the right of every political party. The search for a political solution that meets the expectations of the people must be entrenched.
“In this regard, our party shall continue to extend a hand of fellowship to all those who subscribe to the tenets of a democratic society within the broad framework of a free and credible electoral activities as expressed by our people on the 10th of October, 2021.
“There can be no doubt that the political, social and economic landscape of Ondo State has been transformed under the current APC administration. Ondo State, today, is a proud and respected member of the committee of states in Nigeria. Our hitherto agrarian economy has been transformed into one of the fastest growing industrial economies in the country.
“It is clear that under the leadership of our workaholic governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, we have established a formidable record of improvement on the lives of millions of our people, in particular, our youths – through strategic employment creations in the industrial hub at Ore. Also, in the agriculture sector through the “youth in the ridges” programme whereby thousands of our youths are empowered.”
However, it said: “But challenges abound. It behoves on us, all, to put the state’s interest ahead of every narrow or myopic partisan interests. There shall be differences, however, the important thing is how we go about cracking our nuts.
“To move forward will call for maturity if we are to avoid gridlock. Political cooperation in the interest of the development of the state must exist above every other schedule.
“In 2021, let us all resolve to build a strong, prosperous and united Ondo State, the Sunshine State of our dream for all.
“Once again, accept our wish for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous 2021.”
