The Nation Newspaper

Category: Ondo 2020

  • ADC increases political enlightenment

    ADC increases political enlightenment

    From Osagie Otabor, Akure

    African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State said it has increased its political enlightenment of the people following the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki in Edo State.

    It said the enlightenment is to create awareness in the sub-consciousness of the people on the need to vote for candidates of their choice even when given financial inducement.

    The ADP said it has mobilised more canvassers for people in the rural areas as well as use radio programmes, fliers and billboards to reorient the people.

    The candidate of the party, Prince Dapo Adelegan, who spoke to our reporter in Akure, hoped that Ondo State people would take a cue from last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.

    He said the residents would vote for the candidate with economic agenda, capacity to deliver on good governance and vision like what happened in Edo State.

    Adelegan said: “I hope Ondo will take a cue from Edo election. Edo people voted for the work Obaseki has done. That election is the end of politics and beginning of governance. Despite vote buying, the people voted for a performing governor.

    “On our part, we have increased our enlightenment of the people by telling them to take their money and vote for the right candidate with the right economic agenda.”

  • Ondo is different from Edo, says APC

    Ondo is different from Edo, says APC

    From Osagie Otabor, Akure

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has disagreed with opposition parties that it will lose the October 10 governorship election, as it lost last Saturday’s poll in Edo State.

    It said the scenario in Edo was different from what obtained in Ondo State.

    Spokesman for the party, Alex Kalejaiye, said the Ondo APC was united and that stakeholders were working towards ensuring electoral victory for the party’s standard-bearer, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    He said the so-called victory in Edo State was coloured by electoral fraud that would be challenged at the tribunal.

    Kalejaiye said: “The APC in Edo State is full of hope that the denials at the election will be redressed in court.

    “The Ondo State chapter is confident that the good work of the Governor Akeredolu administration will speak in volumes during the election in October.

    “We are confident of victory. The opposition parties are not unaware of the degree of popularity of the ruling party.”

    But the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) said the Edo election would have positive effect on Ondo State.

    State Chairman Joseph Akinlaja said the positive effect would be manifested in the area of peaceful conduct of the election and allowing the votes to count.

    He said incidence of ballot snatching, thumb printing and violence would be minimal.

    Akinlaja said APC would experience the same defeat in Ondo State.

  • Jegede disowns thugs arrested with firearms

    Jegede disowns thugs arrested with firearms

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, has disowned suspected thugs arrested with firearms at Ifon in Ose Local Government.

    He was scheduled to stop at Ifon as part of his local government campaign tour.

    The suspected hoodlums were inside a Toyota Sienna bus branded with Jegede’s campaign pictures.

    Last week, supporters of Jegede and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu clashed at Oba Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government. Eight persons were injured and several vehicles destroyed.

    The Chairman of Jegede Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Akinmoyo, alleged in a statement that the public had been made aware of plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adorn political thugs in PDP branded materials to unleash mayhem on itself and political gathering of other parties, with a view of putting the blame on the PDP.

    He alleged that an APC chieftain boasted of militancy, arms and ammunition.

    Read Also: Ondo 2020: No plan to disrupt ZLP rally, says Jegede

     

    The statement alleged: “The information about the arrest of some hoodlums in branded vehicles wearing PDP logo at Ifon in Ose Local Government while our campaign train is due to make a stop in the town is nothing but an attempt by the APC to make good its evil plans.

    “While thanking the security agencies for their vigilance in averting a needless mayhem, we urge the public to remain focused and not fall for the antics of the ruling APC, who are determined to draw us into unproductive arguments that can distract us from the issues that border on the welfare of our people and failure of the APC government in addressing them.”

    But spokesman for the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, Olatunde Richard, said they were shocked by what he termed show of shame by the major opposition party in the state caught napping in a web of violence and thuggery.

    He said it was a relief for the police to seize the sophisticated guns, live cartridges and machetes, which could have been used to kill innocent people.

    Richard said: “While we praise the police authority for its gallantry efforts at arresting these hooligans, we condemn this act in strong terms and call for more investigation into the PDP campaign activities.

    “This is happening despite appeals to politicians to allow peace reign before, during and after the governorship election, making one to ask if the PDP and thuggery are Siamese twins.”

     

  • We will take our message to people, says ADC

    We will take our message to people, says ADC

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why it will not engage in much outdoor rallies to sell its candidate, Prince Dapo Adelegan.

    It said it would rather engage in door-to- door campaigns, use radio, social media and outdoor advertisement to reach out to the people and make them understand their campaign messages.

    The ADC noted that political rallies would not be the best avenue to articulate its manifesto.

    Adelegan said in an interview that the people needed to understand that there was a new narrative, a new voice and a vision for the state.

    Read Also: Jegede disowns thugs arrested with firearms

     

    He said some parties used rallies to create the impression that the people supported them.

    Adelegan said: “We have declared that we are going to run a violence-free campaign. We are going to decrease a number of our public outings because it is at public rallies that rival groups begin to emerge. We have encouraged our people to embark on door-to-door canvassing, online canvassing and through radio.

    “We believe that rallies are not the best place to articulate our vision. Our people appreciate the fact that we are coming to talk to them about what matters to them- education of their children, health service, water transportation, industrialisation and economy that will give sustenance and jobs to their children. We are talking and they are listening. “

     

  • APC UK donates souvenirs to Akeredolu

    APC UK donates souvenirs to Akeredolu

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom (UK), Ondo State chapter, have donated branded election souvenirs to support the re-election bid of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The package includes 700 branded T-shirts for the governor, party officers, APC members and 18 local government party chairmen among others.

    One thousand eight hundred face masks were distributed to similar sections within the party.

    Presenting the items on behalf of the APC UK Chairman, Ondo State caucus, Chief Julius Adeyeye, at the APC state secretariat, Akure, a chieftain of the party, Otunba Paul Akintelure, said the souvenirs were part of the group’s contribution to the anticipating victory of Akeredolu/Ayedatiwa on October 10.

    Read Also: Akeredolu urges ex-aspirants to join his team

     

    He said: “We are glad about this exemplary contribution by APC UK leaders. When they come around for the election, they will see the useful effects of what they have done.”

    Akintelure, a doctor and former running mate to Akeredolu in the 2012 governorship election, said the governor would perform as promised.

    He solicited support to facilitate victory for the APC.

    Receiving the items on behalf of the APC state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, the Vice Chairman, APC Northern Senatorial District, Solomon Eleufola, thanked the APC members in the diaspora for the gesture.

     

  • Akeredolu urges ex-aspirants to join his team

    Akeredolu urges ex-aspirants to join his team

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has told aggrieved aspirants, who are yet to key into his re-election campaign, to do so and not after the October 10 election.

    He said over 90 per cent of the aspirants that contested at the APC primaries had pledged support for his re-election.

    Two aspirants, Jumoke Ajasin-Afowonise and Dr. Nath Adojutelegan, were said to have yet to accept the outcome of the Ondo APC primaries.

    Akeredolu said there would be no room for any aspirant after the election.

    He spoke in Akure when a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Olayide Adelami, donated his campaign office to boost his re-election bid.

    Read Also: Eight injured, vehicle burnt as Akeredolu, Jegede supporters clash

     

    Adelami was one of the eight aspirants that lost at the primary election to Akeredolu.

    The governor hoped that the APC would be victorious at the polls.

    He thanked Adelami for supporting his campaign and promised not to disappoint his supporters.

    Adelami denied collecting money to support Akeredolu.

    He said he aspired to govern the state because he wanted to contribute to its progress, adding that he had to support the APC after he lost at the primaries because he believed in the party.

  • Ondo 2020: Jegede disowns thugs arrested with firearms

    Ondo 2020: Jegede disowns thugs arrested with firearms

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede has disowned some suspected political thugs arrested with firearms at Ifon in Ose local government area of Ondo state.

    Jegede was scheduled to make a stop at Ifon as part of his local government campaign tour.

    The suspected political thugs were inside a Toyota Sienna bus branded with Jegede’s campaign pictures.

    Last week, supporters of Jegede and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu clashed at Oba Akoko in Akoko South West local government area, leaving eight persons injured while several vehicles were destroyed.

    Chairman of Jegede campaign organisation, Gbenga Akinmoyo, in a statement, said the general public has been made aware of plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to adorn political thugs in PDP branded materials to unleash mayhem on gatherings of other parties with the view of putting the blame on the PDP.

    Akinmoyo stated that an APC chieftain boasted of militancy, arms and ammunition.

     

    According to the statement: “The information of the arrest of some hoodlums in branded vehicles wearing PDP logo at Ifon in Ose LG, whilst our campaign train is due to make a stop in the town is nothing but an attempt by the APC to make good its evil plans.

    Read Also: Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor promises N50,000 tuition fees

     

    “While appreciating the security agencies for their vigilance in averting a needless mayhem, we urge the general public to remain focused and not fall for the antics of the ruling APC who are determined to draw us into unproductive arguments that can distract us from those issues that border on the welfare of our people and failure of the APC government in addressing them.”

    But spokesman for the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation, Olatunde Richard, said they were shocked and bewildered by what he termed show of shame by the major opposition party in the state caught napping in a web of violence and thuggery.

    Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede

    Olatunde said it was a relief for the police to seize the sophisticated guns, live cartridges and machetes which could have been used to cut innocent people of the state short on the altar of politics.

    According to him: “While we commend the Police authority for its gallantry efforts at arresting these hoodlums, we condemn this act in strong terms and call for more investigation into the PDP Campaign activities.

    “We wonder if the PDP sees the election as a war or an electoral contest for the seat of the State Governor.

    “We insist that this does not only constitute danger to our democracy and credible electoral process, but the lives of people, that the party claims it is out to serve.”

  • Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor promises N50,000 tuition fees

    Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor promises N50,000 tuition fees

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Deputy Governor of Ondo State and governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, Hon Agboola Ajayi, has promised to reduce tuition fees paid in the state-owned tertiary institutions to N50,000.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had announced a 20 percent reduction fees after an appeal by students last month but Agboola said the reduction by Akeredolu was not enough.

    Agboola said the tuition fees which was N25,000 before Akeredolu came to power was increased to between N150,000 and N200,000 because Akeredolu never cares for the people’s welfare.

    He spoke at Ore, Odigbo local government, at the campaign flag off rally of the ZLP.

    Agboola said he would stop the use of consultants in doing government business which he stated had made the Ondo civil service redundant.

    READ ALSO: Ondo 2020: ADC, ZLP leaders join APC

    He promised a vibrant civil service by retraining them and ensure they get revolving loan.

    Agboola said he would return the shuttle bus services and provide for the vulnerable in the society.

    He urged Ondo State voters to use their PVC to sack Akeredolu’s led APC government and bring in the ZLP because he is the most qualified to be governor.

    Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko described Agboola as the best among all the candidates.

    Mimiko said Agboola would continue with all his legacy projects.

    The Deputy Governor also accused son of Governor Akeredolu of collecting N403m as Commission from the recovered N43bn found stashed in Zenith bank since 2008.

    Agboola said he would return the shuttle bus services and provide for the vulnerable in the society.

    He urged Ondo State voters to use their PVC to sack Akeredolu’s led APC government and bring in the ZLP because he is the most qualified to be governor.

    Former Governor Olusegun Mimiko described Agboola as the best among all the candidates.

    Mimiko said Agboola would continue with all his legacy projects.

  • Ondo 2020: No plan to disrupt ZLP rally, says Jegede

    Ondo 2020: No plan to disrupt ZLP rally, says Jegede

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede, has denied allegations that he planned disrupting the campaign flag off of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

    The ZLP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, have scheduled its campaign flag off for Saturday at Ore, Odigbo local government but there were concerns that the rally might be disrupted.

    But Jegede who dissociated himself and the PDP from the plot said it was a prominent political party in the state that planned to storm ZLP campaign flag-off in PDP vests, Fez-caps, and his memorabilia.

    Read Also: Our men not involved in party fracas, says Ondo Amotekun

    Jegede who spoke through Director General of his campaign organisation, Akin Adaramola said the ‘party in question has cloned and printed PDP T-shirts, fez- caps, and various items printed with our governorship candidate’s names and images which they would wear and decorate themselves with as a decoy while going on the heinous mission with a branded bus with the name of Eyitayo Jegede and his pictures.

    “We, therefore, dissociate our party, our candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN and his running-mate, Hon. Ikengboju/Gboluga from this plot or any other one to attack or disrupt the ZLP campaign rally flag-off at Ore or anywhere else, now or thereafter.

    “They also plan to seize the opportunity to unleash an attack on billboards and posters of all the other 16 political parties participating in the election.

    “We also want to use this medium to alert all security agencies in the state to place those who are desirous of fomenting trouble under close watch with a view to preventing violence in the state before, during, and after the October 10, 2020, gubernatorial election.”

  • Akeredolu’s aide resigns

    Akeredolu’s aide resigns

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters for Ondo South to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Mr. Andrew Ogunsakin, has resigned his appointment.

    Ogunsakin was said to be an ally of Deputy Governor of the State, Agboola Ajayi, who is the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party.

    He was said to be among the many political appointees influenced by Agboola.

    In his resignation letter dated September 18, 2020, Ogunsakin said, “The call of my constituents on me to join the train to actualize a common aspiration different from what is offered by your government and your party stands at the root of my decision to quit at this point

    “Being an appointee, this will necessarily conflict with the performance of my duty to you. Hence my resignation.

    “I thank your Excellency for the opportunity afforded me to serve the good people of Ondo State as SSA, for the period I was in office.”