Ahead of the March 9 House of Assembly election in Ondo State, the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has appealed for the support of residents for his party, APC, at the forthcoming polls.
This is in an apparent panic mood, after the loss of the Presidential election to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and most of National Assembly seats in the state to other parties.
The Governor who has been queried by the APC’s National Working Committee, NWC, for alleged anti-party activities, which was gathered culminated to the poor outing of the party, addressed the people of Ondo State in what looked like a hurriedly put together state broadcast, on the need for residents to vote APC candidates.
Recall that Akeredolu, who lost his polling unit to the Action Alliance, AA, during the last Saturday’s poll, had during the campaigns instructed his supporters to mobilize for the victory of AA’s National Assembly candidates in the state following their failure to secure tickets under the APC platform.
According to Akeredolu, who spoke via state owned media channels, the election should be seen as a family affair, particularly for the residents of the state, in order to avoid rancour free administration between the executive and the legislature.
His words reads in parts, “I wish to thank you, profusely, for your co-operation in ensuring that the state remains a reference point for reasons of valour, courage and fierce independence in the art of deliberative governance. your attitudes, manifest or implied, leave no room for conjectures. When you speak, It is eloquent, when you choose to act, your message is not mistaken. our land is indeed a lesson for those who cherish frankness.
“I solicit the continued support of the good people of Ondo State for these uncommon patriots. The reward of visionary and purposeful leadership is the overwhelming votes of approbation, delivered resoundingly, throughout the country. It is my fervent expectation that this will continue as we go into the second term of this administration soon.
“My good people of Ondo State, I know you are aware of the next round of elections fixed for 9th March, 2019 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is another very important exercise; local political leaders are going to be chosen to represent our people as governor and at the house of assembly.
“I appeal to you to see this exercise as a strictly family affairs in which brothers and sisters, with shared heritage, and even blood affinity, will be locked in an innocuous electoral combat for the benefit of all. our dear state will be the ultimate winner if all of us approach it in the spirit of sportsmanship. All of us will be winners and our people will be the better for it.
“I enjoin you to participate, actively, without let or hindrance. The government, on its part, will ensure that adequate security is provided for all our citizens to exercise their franchise. Our people are encouraged to feel confident in their attempt to choose their leaders.
“Citizens of this state, who are of Yoruba, Igbo, Ebira, Hausa, Oyo and Edo extraction, as well as other minority ethnic groups, should feel free to participate in the exercise as members of this large and heterogeneous family. I appeal, passionately, that we cast aside all divisive and primordial sentiments. Ondo State is our primary place of domicile. Our allegiance to her must be unalloyed.
“The participation of the electorate in the state is limited to the election of members to the House of Assembly. The Gubernatorial Election is due next year. This administration encourages voters to choose candidates whose campaign promises are in tandem with its vision on infrastructural development. We have been able to achieve this much due to the prudent management of limited resources. We hope to do more with the co-operation of patriotic members of the house of assembly who await your mandate in a couple of days,” the governor stated.
Similarly, the governor’s wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu in an audio broadcast currently in circulation in the state, is also soliciting for the support of residents towards the success of the APC’s House of Assembly candidates at the polls.
Betty who further described her husband as a progressive in the audio message, maintained that a vote for the APC at the polls is a vote for good governance in the state.
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