*Ondo monarchs support Akeredolu because of his giant strides – Olugbo
*I promise to do more – Governor
*As Yahaya Bello, Fayemi, Sanwo-Olu, Oyetola, Mai Mala Buni, others storm Akure for Akeredolu
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
What looks like the popular saying of “if you cannot beat them you join them” played real on Saturday when, on the sideline of campaign flag off for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, All Progressives Congress chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, moved away from the past and solicited the support of custodians of Ondo State’s customs and traditions for re-election of the governor.
Tinubu made the call during a session with traditional rulers held in The Dome International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital on the ground that Akeredolu has performed and expressed that it only sounds well that any good turn deserves another.
The DEFENDER reports that the governorship election in Ondo State is scheduled to hold on October 10 later this year. The former Lagos State governor ensured in 2016 that no South West governor loyal to him took part in the Ondo election campaigns leaving only President Muhammadu Buhari assisted by then Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun now a Senator and Minister of Solid Minerals now Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi to it.
Tinubu, despite whose support and ostensibly orchestrated boycott Akeredolu with President Buhari solidly behind him won the keenly contested election in 2016, said that the state needed the governor to continue his good job so that the people could enjoy more dividends of democracy.
Believed to be making the current moves to enable him get united South West support for his presidential project come 2023, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu also found the meeting as opportunity to speak to the minds of principled Ondo State people in dismissing insinuations that there was a rift between him and Governor Akeredolu, especially now that the grip on Ondo State politics of the Abuja Boy governor surrounded by others such as Governor Kayode Fayemi is an established fact.
“Don’t listen to them. Some people can go to any length to lie against other people. We are not fighting, Odua people need to be united.
“Our monarchs, your support is needed, though you have assured us that you have agreed to ensure Akeredolu comes back for second term,” Tinubu said.
According to the APC chieftain, people have seen the good things such as roads, agricultural developments, schools, industrial park and others things that Akeredolu has done in the state since he came on board.
“We have commissioned the Revenue House today and he has assured us of bringing back the produce marketing board. He has also guaranteed employment for youths across the state.
“Kabiyesis, our schools that you have built and sent us to has brought us where we are today. If we don’t invest in education like Akeredolu has done, our children will lag behind.
“Youths need jobs, our youths who are left at home need to be catered for because we cannot leave them. We want a second term.
“Please, we are here to tell and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983,” the former governor of Lagos said.
Tinubu, therefore, charged the traditional rulers to speak with their chiefs and subjects to ensure that Akeredolu was re-elected.
Earlier, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, gave assurance of the support of the traditional rulers for the second term bid of the governor.
According to Akinruntan, what makes the monarchs support Akeredolu’s reelection is the giant strides of his administration since inception.
“The flag-off of the deep sea port, Araromi-Lekki-Ibeju Road, Overhead bridge in Ore, and many roads across the state.
“He also upgraded traditional rulers from grade D to C,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, Akeredolu promised to do more, with the support of the traditional rulers, if he was reelected for a second term.
The governor, who said the election was for Oodua people, explained that it was the turn for a Yoruba presidency by 2023, hence the importance of APC retaining the seat in Ondo State.
“This progressive party must continue to be in Ondo. What happened in Oyo state must not happen here. Talk to your people because this election is for Oodua people,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer national chairman of APC.
