It is my honour and priviledge to welcome you all to this historic rally, I m very delighted to be here, and to be here with people who will make a fair and highly important decision for Ondo State on 10/10/2020.
Let me thank the National Chairman of our great party, His Excellency Mai Mala Buns and other top leaders here seated. My fellow party men and women, the good people of Ondo State, I say thank you to each and everyone of you for turning out en-masse at this flag-off ceremony. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the gubernatorial aspirants for their noble roles after the contest; I thank them and will continue to appreciate them.
Let me also thank you all for the unalloyed support you have given the trust you have placed on us since the inception of his administration.
Before we get started, I would like to remind you that, our great party,
All Progressives Congress was formed along the progressive ideological school of thought in which public policies are geared towards the advancement of economic development, industrialisation, physical infrastructural development, all round educational development with emphasis on science and technology, development of social organizations, provision of social services, agricultural development and affordable health care delivery, just to mention but few, all of which are very vital to the improvement of the human condition and indeed existence.
It should also be noted that Ondo State is the root of most of the notable progressive politicians both living and dead in our national history, especially in South Western Nigeria. Prominent among these include, but not limited to late Papa Akindeko, late Papa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, late Papa Akinfosile, late Papa Adekeye, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olu Falae and Chief Seinde Arogbofa. In addition, it is on record that Ondo State had contributed immensely to the overall growth and development of the defunct Western state.
At this juncture, let me say with all sense of humility that, I cherish the core political values of the progressives and this has been my guiding principle since I have ventured into party politics. I have never been a nomadic politician, I have stayed with, and within my party through thick and thin. Indeed, my passion for progressive values had enabled me from inception to discover the innate progressive inclination, capabilities, endowment and zest of Aketi to work on the improvement of the well being of the good people of our State. These were the reasons why I supported and remained committed to his aspiration.
Let me state unequivocally that, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN as a progressive Governor of our dear State has done the party proud through his people-oriented programmes in the last three and half years of his administration.
Today, the wind of change has blown across the three Senatorial districts of our State which has breathed new life through good governance. Of a fact, the good people of Ondo State have felt the impact of the impressive service delivery of the Governor Akeredolu in all sectors. He has been very, very truthful in redeeming his campaign promises since he carne on board. This has led to the massive decampment of notable politicians from other political parties such as POP, ZLP, SDP and EPP into our party. Few of the leaders are Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, former Deputy Governor, Colonel Awodeyi, the pioneer PDP state Chairman, Hon. Chief Olabisi Johnson, Chief Ilori, Pioneer State Vice Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Tope Komolafe and Biyi Poroye, former PDP State Chairman.
Fellow good people of Ondo State, with the power of insight, I make bold to say that, under the visionary leadership of Arakunrin Akeredolu, he has built an Ondo State that is not only very confident of the future, but also standing tall among the comity of states.
Governor Akeredolu had realized early enough that road networks are an important indicator of the economic development of any state. Thus, he had succeeded in laying the foundation of economic prosperity through the following areas:
* The construction of over 300 kilometres of good quality road networks across the 3 senatorial districts of the State, We cannot but mention legacy road projects like, the 15 kilometre Idanre Second Entrance road, Ore interchange and Flyover Bridge and the equalisation of Oke-Alabojuto in Ikare that was hitherto insurmountable by all the previous administrations.
* Partnering with investors, he had succeeded in building and growing an industrial estate in Ore known as the Ondo Linyi Industrial HUB, with six solid industries sprawling the landscape at a goal. Industrialisation would generate endless economic and social opportunities for the land and her people. It would diversify the economy of the state, increase internally generated revenue, create massive job opportunities, improve living standards and positively change the face of our socio economic activities.
* Tapping into our God-given resources as the only state with the longest Coastline in Nigeria, Progressive Governor Akeredolu is working hard to facilitate the building of seaport in the coastal area of the state, Port Ondo. This port is needed for faster economic growth and development, as it would help to expand trade not only within the state, but also integrate Ondo State economy with other world class economies. It would also lead to massive job creation and raise the quality of life of our people. We need to remain with the APC-controlled Federal Government to fast track and sustain the development of Port Ondo.
* Massive physical infrastructural development in the education sector at a!! levels. Renovation and building of over 700 new schools across the 3 Senatorial Districts.
* Building of rural road infrastructure to benefit agriculture and bring prosperity to our farmers.
* Creation of jobs through Agriculture with the Youth on the Ridges programme, provision of farm inputs, improved seedlings at very low prices to farmers to boost agricultural production.
* On higher Education, Progressive Governor Akeredolu has resuscitated and breathed a new life into the almost moribund and abandoned Ondo State University of Technology by the immediate past administration now renamed Olusegun Agagu University of Technology, Okitipupa. New physical Infrastructure had been put in place there.
* The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, let me single out the altruism of the Progressive Governor Akeredolu in sustaining the vision and mission of the founding father of the University by not playing politics with the ss«;ue of this all important institution. He has facilitated the accreditation of many relevant courses, approved the establishment of multi campus Teaching Hospital and provided an enabling law passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly for its establishment, apart from embarking on massive infrastructural development of the University.
* Massive repair of failed boreholes and sinking of boreholes across the state.
* Provision of clean and affordable water supply to many communities.
* Employment of health workers to boost the healthcare delivery system.
* Provision of rnicrocredit loans to small and medium scale enterprises including market men and women.
* Regular payment of workers salary, including promotion as at when due.
I wish to commend Governor Akeredolu for doing so much inspite of very limited financial resources. There are many more achievements, but I do not want to waste your time with these, however, it could be safely said that, Ondo State has made significant progress under the Akeredolu-led government.
At this juncture, let me charge fellow party men and women, and the good people of Ondo State. Why are we here? What is at stake? We got an election of 10102020. Our future as a people is at stake. The future of our children and grandchildren are at stake.
Elections belong to the people, Elections are about choices.
10102020 is about me, about you, about us it is my election, it is your election, it is our election
On 10102020, we have a date with history, we cannot afford to make a u-turn, we are going higher together, we are moving forward together.
Nature gave us ten fingers and ten toes, it is natural to count in tens, God in
the Bible gave us 10 commandments.
I am calling on the good people of Orsdo State, on 10102020, mark your ballot for the continuity of Arakunrin Akeredolu as Governor of Ondo State till 2025.
Vote APC, the best has yet to come. Remember, 10102020 starts with a vote – my vote, your vote, our vote – 10102020 cannot be done without me and without us.
Let’s get it done, let’s roll up our sleeves and start work right now in our units, streets, house by house, man by man, woman by woman, neighbor to neighbor, door by door, youth by youth and ward by ward. Tell them about the good works of Governor Akeredolu. Don’t sit on the fence.
If we don’t go out to vote for APC on 10102020, we are ignoring history and giving away the future. Forget the lesser evil, fight for the greater good like your life depends on it. On 10102020, we must not return to Egypt, on 10102020, we must not return to massive indebtedness, on 10102020, we must not return to corruption, on 10102020, we must not return to non­payment of salary of Workers.
If you want a continuation of massive road infrastructure, improvement in education, more industrialization, Ondo Seaport, regular payment of worker’s salary, regular promotion, improvement in agriculture, clean and affordable water supply, improved health care service, a better future for you and your children, then let your vote count, there is only one way, to make your vote count on 10102020, and that is, to vote for APC, to vote for Akeredoiu. Don’t waste your vote.
This speech would not be complete without expressing my sincere appreciation to all of you who generously helped us to make this event come together to become a huge success. We couldn’t have done it without you.