By Jubril Bada

Leaders and the Elders Forum of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in ldanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have adopted the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as their governorship candidate in the forthcoming party primaries slated for April this year.

At a major stakeholders’ meeting held in ldanre, the APC stakeholders declared their supports to ensure Aiyedatiwa is elected after completing the tenure of late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The APC Secretariat along Broad Street, Idanre, was filled with multitude of the party bigwigs and members as they thronged the venue to formally declare their support for Governor Aiyedatiwa as their candidate for the coming election later this year.

Former Commissioners, ex-political appointees, elders, leaders, members of APC and different unions from the council at the event said the meeting was official and necessary to drum support and mobilize for the governorship ambition of Governor Aiyedatiwa at the grassroot to become governor beyond 2024.

According to them, adoption of Aiyedatiwa for governor beyond 2024 by different groups on the platform of APC in the local government was a God’s design, saying that his few weeks as governor were known for better performance.

They expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s method of administration to make the state a cynosure of all eyes, as he has taken bold step to complete projects started by his principal, late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, by giving directive to all contractors handling road projects in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, former Commissioner for Environment, Sunday Akinwalire, said since Aiyédatiwa became governor the state has witnessed better changes in evacuating all debris in Akure, the state capital and other local governments.

He said, “as commissioner for two years, l know the difference when Aiyedatiwa became governor within three weeks. I don’t have doubt in my mind that Aiyedatiwa will perform. The refuses that filled Akure about one and half years ago were evacuated within three weeks he became governor, it is then l see myself as working commissioner.

“Not everything can be disclosed to the public as some will follow us to the grave. For Akure to have been free of refuse, it is an indication the state will better for it.

“Nobody should engage in party’s segregation, and whatever bothers your mind tell the party’s elders and leaders for settlement rather than disclose it to the public.

“The State Chairman of our party, Ade Adetimehin remains a great advantage to us and we should continue to support him..

“Akeredolu was a trusted leader with focus to make the state a cynosure of all eyes through his achievements in security architecture and infrastructure.

“Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa are one and have something in common, the interest of the people, which Aiyedatiwa has come to replicate”.

Former Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Taye Akinyele, noted that Aiyédatiwa as a governor is a God’s design, saying that the environmental structure of the state is better than it was before Aiyédatiwa’s administration.

He advised party members, particularly youths to be united and not engage in any form of activities that can jeopardize the ambition of the governor.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa is a fortunate person whose name manifests as destined by God, and his first stakeholders’ meeting in the state was impressive.

“I will advise governor to run the party with its structure and embrace all members”, he said.

The party chairman in the local government, Olumide Adeoti, explained that all party members have declared their supports to mobilize for the Governor’s ambition at the grassroot.

“In ldanre, we don’t want to remain opposition in the government that belongs to us. The meeting was official as all members of the party supported Aiyédatiwa beyond 2024”, he added.

Also, the Central Senatorial Woman Leader of the party and Idanre Local Government Education Secretary, Mrs. Ronke Akindolire, who spoke on behalf of women, declared unanimous support of female members for Aiyédatiwa governorship ambition and urged members to keep praying for the governor to deliver on his promises for the state.

All the party elders including ldowu Akinseye, Henry Akoriola and Akingbulugbe, among others declared their support to ensure Aiyédatiwa become governor beyond 2024.

Idanre APC Youth Leader, Fisayo Akinrodemi, expressed optimism that all the needs will be met under the Aiyédatiwa’s administration.

He urged youths not to have change of mind in giving their support to the Governor’s ambition.

The lyalode of ldanre, Chief (Mrs) Lola Sesay, called on the governor to pay attention to the deplorable Ofosu road and other roads in the council for reconstruction.

The branch Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in ldanre, Adelanke Adegbusoye, assured the governor of the support of the union members to become governor in the November election.