Monday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Owo has generally been described with many words by rally-goers but the most common of them are ‘carnival’ and ‘unity’
It was a momentous event that brought together stakeholders in the Owo APC family to welcome Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the entire train to Owo, the county-home of the current deputy governor and running mate of the APC candidate, Olayide Adelami.
The train that started with a roadshow in Uso, went round the town and made it’s way to Owo via Emure.
The hitch-free carnival saw party faithful and residents of Owo trooped out in large number to follow the motorcade bumper-to-bumper, as the Governor waved the signature APC broom side by side alongside his deputy.
“The Owo rally has proven that all party leaders and members are on the same page and I am sure they will surpass the eighty percent vote target with this level of my unity” former Ondo state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Kola Olawoye, SAN, said excitedly.
Entering Owo, the first stop was the palace of Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, who warmly welcomed the train alongside other traditional rulers in the local government.
The united front was visibly noted with member representing Owo/Ose federal constituency, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe, majority leader in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Mrs Morenike Witherspoon, representing Owo constituency 2 in the state assembly and the state commissioner for finance, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, among others, standing side by side with the governor and his deputy on the vehicle rooftop.
Receiving the team, Oba Ajibade appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for appointing Adelami, an indigene of Owo as his deputy, reassuring him of overwhelming support of the traditional institution, as being repeatedly displayed by all the Obas in the state.
It is gratifying to know that this visit also brought, under one roof, all the royal fathers in Owo, who came regally dressed to the palace of the Olowo of Owo.
On his part, the Oliyere of Iyere, Oba Alaba Adako, said the entire people of Owo have resolved to work for Aiyedatiwa’s victory because of his personality and achievements in the last ten months.
“Dr Adelami has been the major reason we are doing all these in Owo. He is a good person and a credible leader in Owo local government, and we will do whatever we have to do to protect him and make him happy, by giving you maximum votes in Owo”, the monarch remarked.
Speaking at the palace, the deputy governor, Olayide Adelami, thanked the governor for his love for Owo people by appointing him as his deputy and for picking the first female finance commissioner in the state from Owo.
He said, “You have been good to our people and the entire kingdom. The best our people can do is to back our government for the overall good of the state”
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who said he considers Owo as his second home, promised to complete every project started by his predecessor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The governor said: “I know there are many projects started by Arakunrin Akeredolu in Owo that he couldn’t complete before his demise, I assure you that I will not abandon any one of them.
“As you can see, work is still going on across the town and I saw that new roads were tarred few days ago.
“I know how much the people of this town cherish Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, that is why I don’t treat the institution’s issue with levity.
“I paid a part of what was owed them when I was acting governor, I paid more when I became the governor, and I have increased their monthly subvention.”
The governor thanked the people of the town and expressed satisfaction at their level of organizing and support.
Other frontline leaders who were on ground for the rally included, Ondo state representative at the federal character commission, Olufemi Omosanya, Majority Leader of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, chairman, local government service commission, Femi Idris, DG, APC campaign council in Owo, Akin Awodeyi-Akinsehinwa, former chief of staff to Ondo state governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, among others.
Abimbola Ajaguna writes from Ehinogbe in Owo
