Two weeks before the governorship election in Ondo State, elders and leaders in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state have called for support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress and state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa to win the election.
The leaders, under the auspices of the Ilaje Development Summit Group, a group championing the development of the oil-rich region of the state , said electing Aiyedatiwa, who is also an ilaje man, would be better for the state , being an knowledgeable and compassionate person.
Speaking at the Ilaje Political Summit and Ilaje Development Summit Group Congress 2024, held in Igbokoda , the headquarters of the local government, on Friday, the Executive Administrator of the group, Mr Adesola Adebawo, urged the people to vote enmass for Aiyedatiwa in the forthcoming poll..
At the summit, themed ‘A unified vision for Ondo state: political and economic renaissance for sustainable development, Adebawo also urged the people of the area, to shun violence before, during, and after the governorship election.
He said: “We have been blessed with incumbent that is well strategic and well positioned. What we need now is to put our money where our mouth is, and ensure that we vote massively for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the forthcoming election, for the sustain growth of Ondo State and prosperity of Ondo State citizens.
“As we continue the quest for improving the governance of our state as well as the prosperity of our people, it has become critical for us to focus on the nexus between politics and development. These two are mutual enablers of each other.
As key stakeholders in the development project of Ondo State and indeed Nigeria, it is imperative for us to be significantly involved in the process of ensuring that, as a people, we put our best foot forward in determining the quality of manpower that we project for public office and indeed the governance of our state.
“The next four years will be crucial for Ondo State and indeed our country, Nigeria. As we navigate the difficult but necessary policy landscape to position our country on the inevitable path of recovery and sustainable growth, creativity in leadership, collaboration, and participatory partnership with citizens will become the bedrock of making our economy thrive in the years to come.”
Adebawo explained that the summit would foster sustainable development, unity, and strategic growth for the state. He also emphasized the need to harness the untapped resources of the riverine communities for the overall advancement of the area, adding that a unified vision beyond partisan interests and a strategic partnership between citizens and leaders must be designed for the area.
In his remarks, a chieftain of the APC, who is also an ilaje indigene, Chief Olusola Oke urged the people to cast their votes for Aiyedatiwa to enable him return to power in the forthcoming election.
“We are not talking about winning but we are talking about winning very well . In the last election when my late brother Akeredolu was the candidate of the APC , our earned him he highest votes then my brother (governor) we the deputy. Now the table has turned , Ilaje is the governor and Owo man is the deputy governor, we must also turn table in the volume of votes we will return, ” Oke charged.
On his part, the monarch of Itebu-Kunmi community in Ilaje LGA, , Oba Aderibigbe Olomola, who cautioned against violence before, during, and after the election, appealed to the residents to vote wisely.
“As traditional rulers in Ilaje Local Government, we have always worked to maintain peace, and this election should be no different. Let peace prevail because violence doesn’t solve anything. This time, we want everyone to approach the elections with a peaceful mind and a commitment to unity.
” I urge the people of Ilaje to come out in large numbers and vote wisely. Voting responsibly is how we make our voices heard and ensure the prosperity of our community. May peace guide us all through this process, ” the remarked.
Culled from The Punch Newspaper
