Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu

James Sowole and Ezemelue Nwanneka

The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, at the weekend, praised the performance of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, who was the immediate past governor of the state, despite his criticisms against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Olusola Oke.  

Also, An independent campaign organisation, Iroko Youth Liberation Vanguard, has canvassed mass support for the re-election of the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, saying his second coming will help to fast-track development and create  prosperity  for the people.

Akeredolu, who featured during an interactive session organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, pointed out that PDP was fielding a wrong candidate for the election, adding that PDP cannot win election as the party was dead.

In a swift reaction to Akeredolu’s comment on Oke, the PDP Publicity Director, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, described the statement as disappointing.

“Olusola Oke is both an accomplished lawyer and politician with a pedigre, he knows this state very well and the people know him too. He has distinguished himself in public service and as such has not being subjected to investigation for misdemeanour of any kind. Akeredolu’s comment against him in this regard is disappointing and absolutely unfathomable that a SAN can rely on rumours and hearsay to draw conclusions, it speaks volume about his content,” he said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued after the Labour Party (LP) rally at Arigidi in Ondo North senatorial district yesterday, where Mimiko and other party sympathisers converged to seek the support of the people, said the governor’s re-election was a “done deal” as the youths under his organisation were mobilising to deliver “one million reserved votes” during the October 20 governorship election.

The statement, which was signed the group’s Director-General, Mr. Adams Hamzat, traced the political history of the governor which, he said, was rich in leadership, integrity and service, adding that he would need the next four years to consolidate on the achievements of his administration.
Hamzat further described Mimiko as a grassroots politician, stating that: “We have seen the focus and tenacity of purpose in the last four years of action in Ondo State. We have also seen the array of programmes already put in place in the last four years and it is evident that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has done so well and will now require the next four to consolidate on all these strides that will surely turn around the socio-economic development of the state.

“This government is working hard to create real prosperity for the people with long term benefits. To this extent, we are convinced that the governor should be given another four years of mass support during the October governorship election. On our part, the Iroko Youth Liberation Vanguard is mobilising one million reserved votes and it is a done deal.

“It is important to appreciate the fact that no one among his competitors can ever get the common touch with the people as the governor. This speaks to his grassroots appeal and that is the difference, the clincher in this election,” he stated.

Hamzat, however, cautioned against any action by the opposition to truncate the will of the people, noting that the election would be a test of the people’s preference for who they want to preside over them as governor and should allow the cause of democracy to prevail.