…as Osemawe, Olugbo, others hail Akeredolu’s giant strides

By Adekola Afolabi

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Ondo City, the country home of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, became the epic centre of Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa campaign rally at the weekend.
The memory of the campaign rally which completely locked down Ondo City for about three hours would remain fresh in the minds of many citizens including the political calculators in the state.
In what could be described as a triumphant entry into the City, the campaign train of the APC candidate and Governor of Ondo state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, moved into Ondo City amidst songs of victory and solidarity The sounds of trumpet and drumbeats were palpable across the ancient city.
The unusual crowd of people which came calling left nobody in doubt that Ondo city is for APC and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a senior advocate of Nigeria. The arrival of the Governor and his entourage into Ondo City snowballed into jubilation.
The mammoth crowd clad in APC T-shirts, caps and other uniforms with the pictures of Governor Akeredolu and his running mate, Aiyedatiwa on them, took over the city starting from the entry point of Ita-Nla, Ondo to the interior part of the City.
It was a carnival like at Akure Motor Park, Ondo city as thousands of jubilant APC supporters thronged the street to welcome the Governor and his entourage. For over one hour, the Governor’s campaign train could not move due to the large crowd of the people.
The security personnel had hectic time controlling the crowd. It took them extra efforts and appeals to the people before the campaign train could move to the Palace of Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo, which was the first place of visit. The intimidating crowd deliberately trekked a long distance from Akure park to the Palace, with fun and excitement. This caused gridlock which lasted for over two hours.
One thing that was so obvious in the city is that the people put party politics aside and openly declared their support for the second term re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The ‘Aketi 4+4’ being echoed by Ondo sons and daughters was an icing on the cake.
Already, a day to the rally, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) which appeared to be popular in Ondo West and East Federal constituency had collapsed its structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of Governor Akeredolu’s re-election.
The ADC led by Wale Akinlosotu and Dr. Obama, joined the APC with all its 22 Ward chairmen and the 54 local government executive members in Ondo West and East. The duo said the decision to collapse the ADC into the APC was for the smooth re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who they described as a performer.
Hundreds of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) members led by their leaders including a retired Permanent Secretary, Adeyemi Adelakun also joined the ruling APC at the event held in Ondo City, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area.
They assured that the people of Ondo East and Ondo West are solidly behind Governor Akeredolu with a promise to re-elect him for another term in Office come October 10. The ADC members were received into the APC by the state chairman Ade Adetimehin who handed them over to the leader of the party and Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Adetimehin disclosed that with the turn of event in Ondo city, APC remains a party to beat.
On his part, Governor Akeredolu noted that the APC is getting stronger by the day, adding that the continuous support of the people for the APC was an assurance of victory for the party.
Addressing the multitude of people who gathered in front of the Palace of Osemawe of Ondo on Saturday, Governor Akeredolu assured the people of the kingdom of his administration’s readiness to transform the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in the City to a first class University of Medical Sciences in the country.
According to the Governor, his second term re-election would ensure continuity and sustainability of the ongoing massive developmental projects in the institution and the entire state. He said his administration has established teaching hospitals in both Ondo and Akure as promised, while several courses have been are being run with full accreditation, courtesy of his administration’s unwavering commitment to total development of the University.
He said the School of Public Health located in Ondo East has equally commenced, adding that more are still in the pipeline to further develop the citadel of learning
Earlier, while receiving the Governor in his Palace, the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr Victor Kiladejo, applauded the Governor for expanding the Teaching Hospital and as well adding 500-bed facilities to the it. According to the monarch, contrary to the fear of the people of the kingdom that the Governor Akeredolu might abandon UNIMED, Akeredolu has fulfilled his promise by continuously developing the University.
He said; “When the Governor came in, we were scared that he might abandon UNIMED. We held a meeting with him and there he promised to continue to develop and maintain the institution. Mr. Governor has kept his words. Mr. Governor, you are a man of character and integrity.”
Similar political scenario was played out in Ilaje Local Government as Igbokoda, headquarters of the local government also stood still when the Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa campaign train stormed the area on Friday.
The traditional rulers in Ilaje communities thanked Governor Akeredolu for picking an Ilaje son as his running mate, describing the development as first in history of the state.
The chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fedrick Obateru Akinruntan, appreciated the Governor for doing what no man has ever done for Ilaje local government.
The Amapetu of Mahin, Oba Williams Oluwasegun Akinyomi, Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, Molokun of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye Edema, and other prominent monarchs in the area also thanked the Governor for solving the age-long controversy on the Alaboto of Aboto and also bringing development into Mahin Kongdom.
Oba Odidiomo who spoke on behalf of other monarchs further highlighted the achievements of the Governor even as they thanked him for picking their son as his running mate.
Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo state stood still on Friday as mammoth crowd stormed the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.
The Ilaje High School field, Igbokoda, venue of the campaign rally, venue of the rally was filled beyond capacity as mammoth crowd trooped out to show their love and appreciation to the Governor and candidate of the ruling APC.
Addressing the people, Governor Akeredolu said that the Port of Ondo is the most crucial project that would be achieved in his second term, just as he revealed that work is ongoing on getting the port declaration. He assured the people that the establishment of the Deep Seaport would open doors of economic prosperity for the state and Nigeria as a whole.
The Governor, however, urged the people to vote for him so as to ensure that the dream of the Deep Seaport is not cut short. He added that only continuity can guarantee the actualization of the dream.
On his part, former governorship aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke, advised the people to vote en masse for the APC, saying that it is the only way to bring government to the South Senatorial District in the next four years.
Governor Akeredolu’s running mate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who also emphasised the need for Ilajes to speak with their votes at this crucial time, particularly solicited the support of his people to ensure landslide victory in the October 10 governorship poll.