By Jubril Bada

Dr. Abbas Mimiko has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the forthcoming November gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

Mimiko was unanimously elected without opposition on Wednesday during the party’s governorship primary election held at the party’s state secretariat in Akure.

He emerged through endorsement by all 54 state delegates of the party from the 18 local governments in the state.

The National Secretary of the party, Comrade Yahaya Makama, said the governorship candidate emerged after fulfilling all the party’s requirements, noting that the ZLP had successfully produced a competent candidate who can take the state to enviable heights.

While appreciating members for the peaceful conduct of the party’s ward, local government, and state congresses, Makama charged them to bear in mind that the party’s candidate will be their torchbearer, noting that all hands must be on deck for him to achieve all desired results.

He urged Mimiko to always remember that he has been saddled with the people’s mandate and he should carry it with care.

“You must see yourself as mere custodians and therefore must engage with the people at all times.

“All of us together are greater than anyone, and our collective destiny should be guided at all times,” he said.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Mr. Cornelius Akintoye, who expressed satisfaction over the position entrusted to him as the new chairman of the party, emphasized the readiness of ZLP to produce the next governor in the state.

According to him, the ZLP, as an alternative party to other political parties in the state, will turn the state around and bring fortune to agriculture, health, infrastructure, and education sectors, among others, for development.

In his acceptance speech, the Governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Abbas Mimiko, said he was coming into the race with a 7-point agenda to transform the state for the better and to be the cynosure of all eyes.

The agenda, which includes food security, adequate water supply, rapid industrialization, access to affordable education, housing estates, free healthcare services, and security of lives and property, he said, will be given adequate attention when elected as the governor of the state.

The slogan of the party, which is known to be “Ja Fori e” (Fight for your right), Mimiko said the power of incumbency and vote-buying will not work in favour of any candidate in the election, assuring confidence in the President Bola Tinúbu-led administration to provide a level playing field for all.