ElDERS and widows in Ondo State got a message of hope yesterday from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
A social security system under which they will be paid monthly stipends is on the way – if the ACN is voted into power on October 20.
The party’s flag bearer, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), made the pledge in Ondo town — home of Governor Segun Mimiko — where a massive crowd attended the party’s campaign rally. National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday warned against the rigging of the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, saying that the consequences could be grave.
He also frowned at violence, which he said could spark violence, stressing that “one man, one vote” is in the interest of all.
The former Lagos State governor urged prospective voters in the Sunshine State to foil what he called the rigging plan of the ruling Labour Party (LP) with determination, adding that a power shift will halt the backwardness in the state.
Tinubu and other top ACN leaders, including National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Segun Osoba, Lagos State Deputy Governor Joke Orelope-Adefulire and her Osun and Oyo counterparts- Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori and Pa Moses Adeyemi- addressed a mammoth crowd of party supporters in Ondo Kingdom, the birthplace of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The national leader marvelled at the huge turnout of party faithful. To him, it is evidence of their determination for change.
Waving the broom at them, Akande urged them to sustain the tempo of political steadfastness throughout the electioneering period.
Tinubu said Mimiko has failed the infrastructure battle, enjoining the masses to vote him out on October 20.
He said: “We know he is buying voters’ card. We will prevent any form of rigging. Don’t sell your voters’ card for a little sum. It is your licence to freedom. It is your instrument for progress. It is the value of your character.”
The ACN governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), stormed the venue in a grand style, with his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure, and other members of the campaign team, including Chief Tayo Alasoadura, Ife Abegunde and Prof. Bayo Ademodi.
Presenting the flag to Akeredolu, Akande said: “Who is that Yoruba man without kith and kin? Where is the kith and kin of Labour Party in the West, North, East and South? If you ask Aregbesola to point to his kith and kin, he will mention Fashola of Lagos, Amosun in Ogun, Ajimobi in Oyo and Fayemi in Ekiti. I pray Labour Party will not ruin Ondo State. What I saw yesterday and today shows that ACN will win. After victory, I will return to thank you for listening to good men.”
Akeredolu, who spoke in his Owo dialect, Yoruba and English, promised a new lease of life for the people. He promised to set up a social security scheme for the elderly.
He said: “We will chase them into the bush and canal. Mimiko cannot complete the Akure-Ondo road projects. I will complete them. They abandoned the projects of their predecessors. I will not abandon any project.
“Is it right for our university graduates to be riding okada after school? I will give them jobs. Mimiko is a traitor. People of Ondo State, think. We must join the progressive fold. In the first 100 days, we will provide 30,000 jobs. They ask how much we will pay them? I answer that we will pay them more than what Osun is paying them because Ondo is richer than Osun. I will not give you half bread; I will give you a full loaf. All our local governments will have a general hospitals each. You women, go and form cooperative societies. We will give you loan without asking for interest.”
Prominent Akure politician Abegunde, said: “Mimiko will lose in Akure because the people will vote for Akeredolu.”
Alasoadura, who was asked to speak by Akande, said: “Mimiko depends on Akure to win. My brother, Ife Abegunde, has said it will not be possible. Mimiko will be terribly disappointed.”
Prof. Ademodi, who also described the governor as a traitor, said: “You should vote him out. He has described himself as a Machiavelli and Maradona. He will be surprised on election day.”
Otunba Akintelure, who spoke in Ikale dialect, said: “May our eyes not see horror. Ondo-Akure road is an eyesore. What has Mimiko done for Ondo kingdom? Ondo State remembers Ajasin. What will he be remembered for? It is time for change, revenge and reward. Your reward is in ACN.”
The chairman of the Independent Campaign Committee, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, lectured the crowd briefly on how to vote. He said: “I have assurance that ACN will rule Ondo State and LP will vanish into thin air. All Yoruba people have cognomen. And someone who does not have cognomen should not rule Ondo State. When you receive the ballot paper, look at the top and you will see ACN. Thumbprint appropriately and don’t let ink spoil the paper.”
The venue of the redemption rally, the expansive A.K. Field on Brig. Adegboyega Ademulegun Road, was filled to the brim as from 8 am. A road show by party faithful preceded the rally, which kicked off around 12.40pm with an opening prayer by the Lagos State ACN Vice Chairman, Cardinal James Odunmbaku.
Members of the Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, drivers’ union, farmers, artisans, peasants, women and youth groups thronged the venue, singing, dancing and cheering the candidate and visiting top party leaders from the neighbouring states. Itinerant drummers from Ondo kingdom hit the drums as cultural troupes from the area entertained the crowd.
On the band stand were ace musician Saheed Osupa, Ewi exponent Olayiwola Arowolo and popular actor Ojo Arowosafe (aka Fadeyi Oloro).
They thrilled the crowd with music and wisecracks.
Students of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo thronged the campaign grounds in customised t-shirts, waving brooms. Representatives of Igbo, Ijaw, Hausa and Ebira communities addressed the huge crowd, reiterating their support for power shift.
Speeches by Lagos politicians of Ondo State origin, including Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and Mr. Bola Ilori, former chairman of Alimoso Local Government electrified the crowd of supporters.
Lagos State deputy Governor Joke Orelope-Adefulire, whose husband hails from Ondo State, urged women and youths to embrace change in the interest of their future.
She said: “I am the Lagos woman who married from Ondo State. If you want what is happening in Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states to happen in Ondo State, vote for ACN. Ondo must be part of the regional integration so that within 30 minutes, you can move from here to Lagos in light train. There will be jobs for youths. Say bye to a bad party on voting day and resist rigging at the polling stations.”
Her Osun State counterpart, Mrs. Laoye-Tomori, who has her roots in Owo, enjoined the people to liberate themselves this month, adding that the approaching election is a big opportunity.
The deputy governor of Oyo State, Pa Moses Adeyemi, said: “Only Ondo State is alone in Yorubaland. I beg you in the name of God, vote ACN for change so that Ondo will not be backward. Troop out as you have done today on the election day to vote for Akeredolu and God will uplift you.”
Ilori, who is a member of the State Executive Council in Osun State, said: “Jagaban Borgu and ACN family did a lot for Mimiko. Ondo people are not traitors; only Mimiko is an ingrate. Let Akeredolu come and repair Ondo State as Aregbesola is doing in Osun State.
Adeyeye, who described Tinubu as a detribalised leader and lover of all Yoruba, spoke in Ondo dialect, saying: “All Yoruba states are for ACN. Why should Ondo be different? It cannot be different for Ondo. Who says Tinubu is not the Yoruba leader? He supported an ondo person to become chief judge in Lagos State. I am from Ondo, he supported me to go to the House of Assembly in Lagos and I became the Majority Leader. Akeredolu will be the governor of Ondo State. He is a man of honour and character. He is a credible candidate. He has the experience. He is a former Attorney-General in the state. He led NBA successfully. He will not disappoint us.”
At the rally were former Oyo Deputy Governor Iyiola Oyedokun, Senator James kolawole, Senator Titus Olupitan, ACN Director of Administration and Finance Olawale Oshun, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Mrs. Folake Sokunbi Kalokalo, former Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, former federal legislator Dr. Jayeola Ajatta, Mr. Tunde Imolehin, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Akinsehinwa Apata, Pa Akin Oke, former Ondo State Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Diran Iyantan, Dr. Theo Adebowale, Tolu Babaleye, a lawyer, Lanre Balogun from Ilesa East council, Rotimi Obadofin, Banji Ajiloge, Ipoola Omisore, Lateef Ibirogba, Ifedayo Abegunde, Benjamin Akinbolade and Tunji Osati.
Also there were Road Transport Union leader Oluomo, Gboyega Adefarati, Ade Adetimehin, Tope Adejumo from Odo-Otin council, Dele Ogunsakin, Mrs. Olukemi Iyantan, Mr. sola Lawal, Osun ACN Chairman Lowo Adebiyi, former Labour Party Vive Chairman Chief Ajila, Akin Adetimehin, Osun State Deputy Chief of Staff Gbenga Akano, Southwest ACN Publicity Secretary Ayo Afolabi and Mr. Uche Onyeogucha, Ondo ACN Women Leader Erelu Modupe Johnson, Mr. Kunle Oniya, Jaja Tayo Abidakun, Jibayo Adeyeye, Olayato Aribo, Mrs. Bola Orija, Ademola Adesua, Biriki Ebikirima and Ondo ACN secretary Gboyega Adesida were there.
Others at the campaign were Comrade Sola Iji, Idowu Otetubi, Toyin Ajinde, Olakunle Eko, Ounba Timehin Adelegbe, Enas Mohammed, Dr. Segun Akinwale, Chief Wale Oyewole, Femi Adekanmbi, Chief Lucky Ayedatiwa, Adebambo Odoro, Rev. Awe Joseph, Rahman Rotimi, Kunle Eko-Davies, Rotimi Agbede, Ayodele Adedipe, Ajibola Adebayo, and Sunmonu Famoritiye.
Tinubu thanked the crowd for their resilience, assuring them that they would reap the dividends of democracy under Akeredolu.
He said the dedication and resolve of the people had shown that they are ready to make more sacrifices for change.
He added: “This poll is about development and progress of Ondo State. All ACN governors are performing. Fayemi is receiving what a local government in Ondo State is receiving, but he is performing. Oshiomhole has converted Edo into a gigantic construction site. Why should Ondo be different? Akeredolu will turn things around.”
Tinubu said Akeredolu, who has made his mark in law, would not disappoint the people. He urged them to give him the chance.
His words: “Akeredolu has made his mark in Nigeria. The Lawyers House in Abuja is named in his honour. In the old Western Region, Awo and Ajasin were like twins. They brought free education, which we all enjoyed. Adefarati also tried his best. May their souls rest in perfect peace. We have come to immortalise them. Mimiko was Commissioner for Health under Adefarati. Among the disciples of Jesus Christ, there was a Judas Iscariot. He was the exponent of ‘one senatorial district, one governor and one term’. Now, he is singing a new tune.
‘Why can’t he emulate Comrade Oshiomhole. Mimiko ran to me when he had problem. He knew that I am not a friend of the Poverty Development Party, PDP. We assisted him with resources. He promised to join the progressive camp. We all attended his inauguration. His mother and the Osemowe of Ondo kingdom were praying for us. Some people were skeptical. They said he had betrayed a lot of people, Adefarati and Agagu. I said they should forgive him. I said that he would change. It was a lie. Within 30 days, he changed. He sworne with the Bible. Later, he sworne with the Koran. I remembered that he is Rahman. He said he was a Muslim. Later, he said he is a Christian. I don’t know what he is now. But In know he is a traitor. He is similar to Ladoke Akintola and Omoboriowo.
“Ondo must not be isolated. Mimiko cannot be relied upon. You must vote him out. Ondo people will not betray their leaders. Thisnis a question of character.”
Tinubu said Mimiko is moving at a snail’s speed in his reluctant effort to develop of the state, pointing out that his beautification project is a make-belief.
He said the Akure road project had dragged on for too long, unlike in Lagos where roads are built within six months because the ACN government is determined.
Tinubu assured the people that they would enjoy the services of medical centres in their wards, instead of travelling from any part of the state for medical attention in the lone Mother and Child Hospital at Akure.
Tinubu noted that members of the state executive council are not happy because the governor is allegedly intimidating them. Desert him during the election, he urged them.
Tinubu added: “On October 20, wake up by 5 am. If you cannot make pounded yam, eat soft yam. It is one man one vote. Vote and wait behind to police your votes. If he wants to perpetrate volence, he should beware. Violence begat violence. Someone said he was Akala. we said, even if you are a mango, we will get you. There is another person in Osun who says he is a General. He kissed the dust”.
Aremo Osoba chided those branding themselves as Awoists who came to Akure to campaign for Mimiko, saying that they are out of tune with reality.
He said: “The coming election demands courage and determination. Vote and police your votes. We policed our votes in Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos and we won. We will win in Ondo.
“Some people came here to say that they are Awolowo people. Don’t listen to them. Yoruba have decided to vote ACN in Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Oyo and Ogun. In the old Western Region, including Edo, progressives were in control. By the grace of God, Akeredolu will be the next governor.”
Aregbesola, who sang five songs to arouse the crowd, said the coast was clear, adding that Mimiko should pack and go. He wondered why the Ondo governor chose to distance himself from the wind of change in Yorubaland.
The Osun State governor said: “Yoruba is thinking about the future. Nigeria is becoming fragile, but we are praying that God will sustain it. This is not a time for anybody to divide Yorubaland, with a population of over 33 million people and united by one language and identical tradition. If you want to isolate yourself, sit is not wise. You are only up to a mischief.
“We helped him to gain control in Ondo. Now, they are saying that we want to demand for money from them. It is a lie. I am a governor. I still collect money from Asiwaju. He has never asked for money from me before. Whenever I want to go abroad, I still enjoy free plane at his instance. until recently, I used the car Asiwaju gave to me. Our leader does not need anything from anybody.
“October 20’s poll is crucial to the progress of Yoruba. Anybody who wants progress for Yoruba should vote ACN. Use your votes to disgrace the enemy of our people.”
