…Ondo polls: Akeredolu’s giant strides qualify him for re-election — Buhari
…We Need A More Holistic And Practical View At Governance – Jegede
Ibe Pascal Arogorn
Ahead of the October 10 governorship candidate in Ondo State, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, says the state needs a composed and focused leadership.
He disclosed this on Wednesday during a governorship debate held in Akure, the state capital.
“All the time, I have always believed that Ondo State is blessed. We have everything, yet we needed a composed and focused leadership,” he said.
“With all respect without praising or trying to pick me and say I am the best. With all respect, I believe that we have learned in this direction,” he said.
Speaking on the economy, the governor revealed plans by his administration to improve on the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
For Akeredolu, if re-elected for a second term on October 10, he will turn around the economic fortunes of the state and also expand the cocoa plantations in the state.
The debate is being organised by Channels Television, in partnership with the Civil Society Elections Situation Room and UK AID with support from UK foreign commonwealth development office.
As the people of the state go to the polls to choose the next governor for another four-year term, Akeredolu will slug it out with his main rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among other contenders.
We Need A More Holistic And Practical View At Governance – Jegede
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede, says it is time for a more holistic, honest and practical view of governance.
Mr. Jegede disclosed this at the Ondo State Governorship debate put together by Channels Television, in partnership with the Civil Society Elections Situation Room and UK AID with support from UK foreign commonwealth development office.
Speaking on why he should be voted as governor of the state come Saturday, the Senior Advocate said his private and public sector experience makes him stand out from all other candidates.
Jegede further stated that his experience in both sectors has made him realise that at the moment things are not going well in the state, hence the need for a new face and a new positive change.
He said, “I believe the time has come for us to have a more holistic, honest, and practical view at governance” in Ondo State.
Mr. Jegede said he intends to grow the state’s economy and will confront the challenges in the health sector.
According to him, the health facilities in Ondo State are not in good shape, and the high-cost of medicare is putting a strain on the lives of the people especially pregnant women and children.
Jegede who was a former commissioner for justice and attorney general of Ondo said he is pained also by the challenges faced by students within the various tertiary institutions in the state, adding that he will look into the cost of tuition which tends now to be depriving many young people of getting the education they desire.
Making additional comments on what he will do to transform the economy in Ondo State, Mr. Jegede said he would make jobs available for the youths by engaging the private sector.
He vowed to address issues in the agricultural sector in a fresh new way by taking a stock of performance and seeing what way output can be increased.
Ondo polls: Akeredolu’s giant strides qualify him for re-election — Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for his massive developmental projects in the state, saying he deserves to be elected for a second term.
Buhari made this known in his zoom message at the final campaign rally of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday in Akure.
The president, who appreciated the governorship aspirants of the party for accepting the outcome of its primaries and decided to work for the party, said their patriotic and selfless conduct would serve as an enduring reference point in party politics.
President Buhari said:
“I have no doubt that our candidate is a good brand for the APC to market.
“I am particularly delighted by his original approach to governance.
“His performance within the limits of available resources is endearing.
“He has taken the state to a new level and on the path of prosperity.
“I inaugurated some of the projects executed by his administration which are enduring legacies.
“Today, I declare that Akeredolu deserves to be re-elected to consolidate on the good works of his first term.”
The president, therefore, assured the electorate that adequate security had been put in place to ensure that the election is peaceful, transparent, and fair.
Buhari, who also commended the APC family for their “uncommon display of brotherliness and unity”, said the collective desire of party leaders to entrench democracy accordingly was regarded as the basic ingredient to the electoral process.
“It is my hope that the electorate will follow laid-down rules and regulations in accordance with the laws guiding the electoral process.
“I wish you all a successful and peaceful election.
Vote right, vote wisely, vote for continuity and progress, vote APC,” President Buhari said.
Ondo Deputy Governor ,Ajayi shuns debate
Ondo Deputy Governor and candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Hon Agboola Ajayi, failed to attend another round of debate organised by Channels Television.
Ajayi last Sunday refused to attend the debate organised by Face the Voter Initiative.
Ajayi, in a letter to the organisers, said he had other engagements.
He explained his campaign in Owo shelved due to security concerns had been slated for Wednesday while final interaction with his team from across the state would hold in the evening of that same day.
According to him:
“This is so that I could avail myself of Thursday,
October 8th, the last day allowed for campaigns, to embark on a whistle stop tour of some locations across the State.
“I hope my decision to maximise the time available for me to continue to dialogue with voters across the State, a third of who are mostly not able to enjoy debates on national TV because they are not connected to the national grid, will not be seen as taking your offer for granted.”
IGP warns politicians over misconduct
With three days to the Ondo Gubernatorial Election, slated for Saturday, 10th October 2020, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has for the umpteenth time, warned politicians against actions and utterances that could be inimical to a free, fair and credible election.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba, IGP Adamu warns that the full weight of the law will be meted out to anyone, no matter their status in society, who engages in any electoral fraud such as political violence, vote-buying, ballot box snatching, hate speeches and all other unwholesome practices capable of undermining the peace and stability of the electoral process.
The statement charged all Police Officers and other law enforcement agents deployed for the election to act in accordance with the Electoral Act and other Extant laws guiding their overall conduct before, during, and after the elections.
IGP Adamu further reassured the people of Ondo State that adequate security measures have been emplaced to ensure their safety throughout the period of the election and beyond.
Akeredolu, Jegede campaign councils fight over ballot-snatching plot
The Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation on Wednesday raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to snatch ballot boxes in order to rig Saturday’ s Ondo State Governorship election .
The alarm was contained in a statement titled, ‘ APC plans to use fake INEC identity for ballot box snatching, ’ issued by its spokesman, Mr Gbenga Akinmoyo.
It read in part, “ It is one thing to sign a peace accord , but it is another thing to stick to the tenets of the agreement . We have received information that the APC has devised a system to circumvent the regulations laid down by INEC governing the conduct of the governorship election on Saturday .
“ We learnt from sources that they have rented unmarked Hilux vans and also acquired stickers that read , ‘ On Electoral Duty, ’ to be pasted on these vans .
“ The vans are to be used by hired thugs brought into Ondo State from various locations for the purpose of ballot box snatching. These allegations are also affirmed by a statement from a group , Human Rights Watch , which has gone viral on social media. ”
It appealed to relevant authorities to stop the devious plot.
In response, the spokesman for the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, Mr . Richard Olatunde said , “ We don’ t have any reason to go that low . It ’ s the failure staring the PDP in the face that ’ s creating this kind of jittery imagination . Governor Akeredolu has campaigned round the 18 local government areas of the state. He has also performed creditably well across the three Senatorial districts of the state. ”
Akure monarch threatens to curse troublemakers in domain
The Deji of Akureland , Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, has threatened to curse whoever would want to cause violence before, during and after the Ondo election .
The Akure monarch , who condemned the act of violence that occurred in the town last Sunday, urged youths to shun the act, saying the palace would not take the issue of violence with levity .
Oba Aladetoyinbo stated this while meeting with representatives of political parties , youth leaders and security personnel in his palace in Akure , the state capital, on Wednesday.
The first class monarch , who was represented , by the Elemo of Akure , High Chief Segun Adedipe said , “ I will curse anybody who wants to cause violence in the election . ”
Also speaking at the meeting , another traditional ruler , the Akanpinsa of Ipinsa, Oba Olufunmilayo Omoniyi , also appealed to parties to avoid violence so that the state would not have a repeat of 1983 crisis which led to the destruction of property and loss of lives.
Oba Omoniyi urged all stakeholders to embrace peace during and after the October 10 governorship election.
