Senator Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has solicited the support of traditional rulers in Ondo State for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The governorship election in the state is scheduled to hold on October 10.
Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the Dome International Event Centre, Akure, during an interactive session with traditional rulers in the state.
The APC national leader, who dismissed insinuations that there was a rift between him and Akeredolu, said that the state needed the governor to continue his good job so that the people could enjoy more dividends of democracy.
“Don’t listen to them. Some people can go to any length to lie against other people. We are not fighting, Odua people need to be united.
“Our monarchs, your support is needed, though you have assured us that you have agreed to ensure Akeredolu comes back for second term,” he said.
According to the APC leader, people have seen the good things such as roads, agricultural developments, schools, industrial park and others things that Akeredolu has done in the state since he came on board.
“We have commissioned the Revenue House today and he has assured us of bringing back the produce marketing board. He has also guaranteed employment for youths across the state.
“Kabiyesis, our schools that you have built and sent us to has brought us where we are today. If we don’t invest in education like Akeredolu has done, our children will lag behind.
“Youths need jobs, our youths who are left at home need to be catered for because we cannot leave them. We want a second term.
“Please, we are here to tell and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983,” the former governor of Lagos said.
Tinubu, therefore, charged the traditional rulers to speak with their chiefs and subjects to ensure that Akeredolu was re-elected.
Earlier, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, gave assurance of the support of the traditional rulers for the second term bid of the governor.
According to Akinruntan, what makes the monarchs support Akeredolu’s reelection is the giant strides of his administration since inception.
“The flag-off of the deep sea port, Araromi-Lekki-Ibeju Road, Overhead bridge in Ore, and many roads across the state.
“He also upgraded traditional rulers from grade D to C,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, Akeredolu promised to do more, with the support of the traditional rulers, if he was reelected for a second term.
The governor, who said the election was for Oodua people, explained that it was the turn for a Yoruba presidency by 2023, hence the importance of APC retaining the seat in Ondo State.
“This progressive party must continue to be in Ondo. What happened in Oyo State must not happen here. Talk to your people because this election is for Oodua people,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer national chairman of APC.
Also, APC flagged off the campaign of Akeredolu.
Speaking at the rally, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, urged people of the state not to allow anyone to truncate the developmental strides of the Akeredolu administration.
Buni stated that APC was known for progress and development across all human endeavours.
Sanwo-Olu, who is also the Chairman of the National Campaign Committee for Ondo State, said that Akeredolu had brought about real development across the state.
Sanwo-Olu described Akeredolu as progressive minded, and who must be allowed to spend a second term in office for the betterment of the state.
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State said that Akeredolu had done a lot, adding that there was no place in the state that had not felt the impact of the developmental strides of the Akeredolu-led government.
Fayemi described Akeredolu as an evidence of commitment, compassion and development in the state.
While affirming that all the promises of Akeredolu have been fulfilled, Fayemi gave assurance that all APC members were solidly behind Akeredolu’s re-election.
He urged all APC supporters to continue to campaign for the party’s victory on October 10.
Appreciating APC supporters, Akeredolu said he was prepared to do much more than his administration had recorded in the last three and a half years in office.
The governor warned the people not to vote for “those who would come to ruin the gains that had been entrenched in the last three and a half years across the state”.
He urged APC members and supporters to reach out to all nooks and crannies of the state for the party to have overwhelming votes.
In attendance at the campaign flag off were Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, Chairman, APC Governor’s Forum, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, Babagana Zulum of Borno, AbdulRahman AdulRasak of Kwara.
Other governors at the event were Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Sani Bello of Niger and the Deputy Governor of Kogi, Chief David Onoja.
Also at the campaign rally were Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi; Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Silva; Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura and other chieftains of the party.
