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  • Abraham urges EFCC, police to probe ‘padded’ delegates’ list as LAUTECH co-owner

    Abraham urges EFCC, police to probe ‘padded’ delegates’ list as LAUTECH co-owner

    THE runner-up in the September 3 governorship primary of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Abraham, yesterday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the police to probe and prosecute those behind the fake names smuggled into the party’s delegates’ list.

    Besides, the Ikare-Akoko born entrepreneur advised the leadership of the party, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari, to sustain his personal integrity by dispassionately wading into the post-primary crisis to ensure that his “stolen mandate” is retrieved.

    Abraham, who spoke in Akure, the state capital, said: “This mandate is not just mine; it belongs to the entire people of the state. Those behind the padded delegates’ list must be prosecuted. We don’t want it to be extended to other states of the federation.”

    The governorship aspirant affirmed that the people loved him because of his uniqueness, stressing that his campaign had a true human face that related well with the people’s needs.

    He said: “I did not campaign like a typical politician, but with facts and figures that were themed around wealth creation, practical ways of developing the economy with the people’s direct involvement, rebuilding a crumbled value system and so on.

    “So, it is understandable why the people keep supporting my aspiration and why they keep clamouring for the reclamation of his mandate.”

    Abraham described APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun’s move as shocking and shameful, adding that in normal circumstances, such action by a leader of a progressive party like the APC should be followed by “honourable resignation”.

    He predicted that if his mandate was not retrieved, the APC loss would be automatic in the general election.

    According to Abraham, “if the APC sticks to the Rotimi Akeredolu’s option, the party would lose, because the people are apathetic towards his candidacy”.

    Abraham appealed to the President to ensure that the anomaly, which happened on September 3, is corrected to prevent the party’s downfall under his watch and to also maintain the party’s anti-corruption stance.

    The leading APC governorship aspirant said he would use the party’s internal mechanism to secure his mandate without court action, stressing that Nigeria was under democratic government and not military.

    According to him, Akeredolu had earlier boasted that the primary election would shock the people.

    He added that it was ironically shocking that non-delegates carried the party tags and voted with fake list in the 21st century.

    Abraham said APC primary election and consequent steps taken by Odigie-Oyegun were embarrassing.

    He noted that the development was synonymous with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially during the election of Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF), when minority ruled the majority.

    He urged President Buhari as an honest and patriotic leaders, who believes in justice and rule of law to intervene in Ondo APC crisis in the interest of the party.

     

  • We won’t leave APC, say Abraham, Boroffice

    We won’t leave APC, say Abraham, Boroffice

    TWO leading governorship aspirants on the platform of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Abraham and Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, said yesterday that they will not dump the party.

    But Abraham reiterated that he won the September 3 primary election.

    He urged the APC national leadership to do the needful through quick resolution of the crisis arising from the primary.

    The aspirant said such a step would showcase the APC to the world.

    According to him, “we are the landlords of APC; there is no way the landlord will leave his house for the tenants. But the anomaly in the result of the primary must be corrected and my mandate restored.”

    Abraham said he would remain in the party to reclaim his mandate, which had been allegedly given to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    Abraham with two other aspirants – Chief Olusola Oke and Senator Ajayi Borrofice – had approached the party’s appeal committee asking for cancellation of the primary election.

    The APC National Working Committee (NWC) last week rejected the recommendations of the appeal committee and upheld the victory of Akeredolu.

    Addressing reporters at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Alagbaka, Akure, Abraham said since there were protests on the votes secured by the alleged winner, he the runner up “is automatically the winner of the election”.

    The renowned investor said he would continue to pursue the course of his mandate until it is retrieved, saying: “No retreat, no surrender”.

    Saying there were three  opportunities available to him for restoration of his mandate, he added: “We have only explored one level. If the need to go to court arises, we will explore it.

    “There can be no authentic and stable democratic government without justice. There is now a growing awareness that the APC government has the capacity to indulge in corrupt and unjust systems and practices.

    “Resolving the quagmire in Ondo State is a golden opportunity for the APC to showcase to the world and give Nigerians real confidence that we are a just and honest party.

    “As the people have placed their full confidence in me, through both their votes and continuous clamour for my mandate, I have resolved to pursue truth and our just cause by all legal means, with full determination to get our mandate back. I will stay in the party and work with all to correct all the anomalies.

    “APC as the opposition in Ondo has a unique chance to conquer any party in the state. But this can only be achieved when there is justice, fair play and sincerity of purpose.

    “People may be going to another party, I am a landlord and I won’t leave my party.”

    Abraham said his votes are legitimate and unchallenged, stressing: “All top three runners up challenged the results of the purported winner. Our petition emphasised that 157 fake delegates were injected into the delegates list in 12 out of the 18 local government areas.”

    Boroffice, on his part, said he would not dump the party, as being rumoured.

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, the APC chieftain said he would continue to work with fellow party leaders to ensure the APC fulfils its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    The statement reads: “The press text I delivered at the press conference held in Akure on Friday is the collective opinion of my brothers:  Dr. Olusegun Abraham, Chief Olusola Oke and I on the governorship primary election of our party that was held on Saturday, September 3 and other related issues.

    “The submissions and resolutions we conveyed through the press conference are unambiguously clear beyond puerile insinuations. Therefore, the press wording does not in any way show, indicate or suggest that I possess any intention or plan to leave my dear party.

    “As a leader and one of the founding fathers of the APC, I will continue to work with fellow party leaders across the country to ensure the APC fulfils its campaign promises to Nigerians.”

  • Ondo APC crisis: Abraham, Oke, Boroffice insist on fresh primary election

    Ondo APC crisis: Abraham, Oke, Boroffice insist on fresh primary election

    • Aspirants condemn Oyegun

    Three aggrieved governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday rejected the decision of the party National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold the result of the primary election, which favoured Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The trio, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Olusola Oke and Mr. Segun Abraham made their grievances known at a press conference, held in Akure, the state capital.

    At the event, which was also attended by their teeming supporters, Abraham who was absent, sent his apologies.

    Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, Boroffice described the decision of the party’s national chairman, Chief John Oyegun to uphold the result despite the majority of the committee members kicking against it, as undemocratic.

    He said they are consulting and would soon make public the next line of action on their political careers.

    Boroffice said: “As enumerated in our petitions, which we submitted to the Appeal committee that was duly constituted by the NEC with the approval of the NWC of APC and as contained in the primary election guidelines of APC, the following are the planks upon which our appeals are based:

    “Fraudulent injection of 383 names into the delegates list that was used to conduct the primary election.

    “Issuance of delegate tag to non-delegates and allowing the non-delegates to vote in the primary election.

    “On investigation, 300 delegates tags were indiscriminately issued to non-delegates, two designated buses were provided to convey known non-delegates to the voting centre and voted to give undue advantage to one of the aspirants. These among others were discovered after the charade called credible election.

    “It is important to bring into the public domain that on September 2, a new copy of compromised delegates list was made available to all the aspirants by the election committee of APC around 10.30pm.

    “On the receipt of the purported new delegates list, we all made a written protest letter, including Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, transmitted our letters to the primary election committee chairman, informing him of our rejection of the substituted delegates list.

    “As democrats, having discovered the fraud in the process, we submitted ourselves to the process of redress as stipulated in the primary election guidelines of APC, believing that we are safe in the hands of supposed democrats.

    “The Appeal Committee, within the mandate of their authority, having regards to the preponderance of evidence laid before it, recommended that the election be nullified and another election be conducted.

    “In line with the electoral guideline of APC, the report of the Appeal Committee was submitted to the NWC for final ratification.

    “Considering our strength in the APC and a total votes of 1,617 in the primary election, as the Apex authority in the administration of APC in Nigeria, we have always assumed sanity and reasonableness on the part of the members of the NWC. We hope the members of the committee will uphold justice and exorcised corruption from the process.

    “On September 22, the NWC considered the report of the Appeal committee and puts its decision on the recommendations of the Appeal committee to vote. The majority of the members of the NWC voted that recommendations of the Appeal committee be upheld.

    “To our dismay and in a manner at variance with democratic norms, the national chairman overruled the majority of the NWC. He rejected the path of truth and upheld the primary election that its process was chacterised with corruption.

    “We are determined to liberate our people and no undemocratic decision of a party and its leadership will be allowed to misdirect our attention from the goal.

    “Therefore, we hereby condemn in absolute terms the undemocratic decision of the NWC. Since the party and the official leaders of the party have found pleasure in covering fraud, we owe the people of Ondo State a sacred duty of liberation.”

    On his part, Oke said he is still consulting and would soon make his next line of action known.

    He noted that “Whatever you might have since on the social media that I am moving to Action Alliance (AA), APGA, is the desire of my supporters.

    “As at today, I have not moved from APC and if I want to move I will inform you people about my next line of action.”

  • Abraham urges calm ahead of NWC’s decision

    Abraham urges calm ahead of NWC’s decision

    ONE of the aspirants in the Ondo State All Progressives Congress’ (APC) governorship primary, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, has urged his supporters to stay calm as they await the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on his appeal.

    Abraham, who came second in the primary, in a statement titled: “We are resolute, not desperate”, issued  by his media aide, Sayo Aluko, said he would rescue “his mandate through a credible process”.

    The party’s stakeholders are anxiously awaiting the decision of the party’s NWC on the controversial September 3 poll in Akure, Ondo State.

    The Electoral Appeal Committee, which got up to six petitions on various irregularities on the  primary, had recommended its cancellation in a report to the NWC.

    It was learnt yesterday that deliberations by the NWC on the matter were still ongoing.

    Consequently, Abraham urged his supporters to disregard “any false news’ regarding the position of the NWC.

    His statement reads: “Fellow members, dear supporters and the wonderful people of Ondo State, I salute you.

    “Thankfully, and as you know, our party’s Electoral Appeal Committee has given a recommendation that is consistent with facts and the anti-corruption stance of our great party, with the hope to right the many wrongs of the September 3 primary election.

    “As we await the ratification of this recommendation by the NWC, some desperate ones have rushed to the media to give misleading, wrong, unauthorised and anti-party information, in a contemptuous attempt to jettison the ongoing deliberations of our NWC.

    “We urge you to disregard and discard them all. We are not desperate, rather, we are further encouraged and resolute on rescuing the mandate of blessings for you through a truly credible process.

    “Assuredly, our state will be rescued from the clueless clutches of the pseudo-government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And my promise of truly practical and experienced-based governance remains unshaken. As we wait, be calm dear people, and again, keep faith”.

  • ABRAHAM We must be watchful

    ABRAHAM We must be watchful

    Dr. Adepelumi Abraham was the head of the technical team that visited Saki community in the wake of outbreak of earth tremor in the community. SINA FADARE spoke with him. 

    HOW will you describe what happened in parts of Saki in Oke- Ogun area? What happened was a tremor. It has never happened in that area before but the Ibadan axis of the state has experienced such in 1984, 1987, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2011.
    Before that of Saki occurred, myself and some of my group of researchers and experts from USA, looked at all the data that we had in the country in the last 30 years. In geology a look into the past is the key to the present. If this has been happening in the past, can it be used for mapping and project into the future?
    It was an academic exercise in 2009. Earth tremor has been experienced in Imeko, Abeokuta in Ogun State and Ibadan. Therefore according to our findings and report then, we concluded that earth quake was imminent in the country. We wrote our report and submitted it to the Federal Government so that some measures should be taken in case of any eventualities, but nobody took our report serious then. When I got the report of what happened, our group decided to visit Saki by starting our preliminary enquiries from Ibadan. As geologists we commenced our detailed investigation to ascertain the magnitude of the incident. At the end of our investigation the evidence at our disposal indicated that there was an earth tremor. The tremor which started from the Atlantic Ocean moved towards where there’s soft spot which it found in Saki and that was why it occurred in the area including the Republic of Benin, Togo and Bayelsa State. That of Kaduna happened in the night and it was reverberating the way it did in Saki.
    As a Seismologist, what is the implication of this?
    The issue at hand is like somebody that has traces of lunacy in his family, as a geologist we look at the past which will provide the key to the future. You traced what has been happening in the family and you can now predict what may likely happen to the children which may have a high tendency of lunacy. The implication is that since we have a tremor severally this year and based on several past records, there is tendency that something of higher magnitude may likely occur in Oke- Ogun area. The rock over there favours earth tremor.
    Earthquake is imminent in the area. It may not be of higher magnitude like that of Guinea. In 1984 it happened in Ibadan, pictures on the wall suddenly fell down. In August 1986 there was a volcanic eruption in Lake Nyo in Cameroun and it spread to Nigeria. Over 3,000 animals and about 1,500 people died. Though we do not pray for this, but we must take precautionary steps.
    At this juncture, what do you think should be done?
    All over the world, what government should do as a matter of urgency is to procure and deploy earthquake monitoring equipment to the affected areas. Government should also procure and deploy early warning systems all lover the places affected. This system will detect if there will be earth tremor or earth quake and the magnitude. Government also should work in conjunction with National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and they should be preparing in case of any eventuality.
    Also scientist in Nigeria can develop applications which can be installed on android phones. For instance, as I am now in my office, I am monitoring what is happening in America on my phone. I can see it. This can also be applicable in Nigeria. By so doing events in the area affected could be monitored on the phone and people will be abreast of what may likely be going to happen.
    Where do we go from here?
    We are sitting on a keg of gun powder. There is still ray of hope. The foundation of houses in the coastal area should be quickly reinforced. All the sky scrapers should also be reinforced. Government should put up a building code that all builders should follow, this will give room for earth quake resistance and if there is any eventuality, the building will just vibrate and return to normal.
    What is your take on the relocation of some residents from the scene of the earth tremor to other areas in Saki?
    Relocation is not the solution but a comprehensive study and installation of earthquake monitoring equipment. The situation there is extremely minor, 2.3. It is not a major event. In many years to come, it may gravitate to major events, that is what we should take care now. I am not saying they are not in danger, but not the one that could warrant relocation.

  • Market leaders rally support for Abraham

    Market leaders rally support for Abraham

    THE Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria (ACMWAMN) have drummed support for one of the aspirants that contested the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, Dr. Olusegun Abraham.

    ACMWAMN’s stance came amidst the controversies that have trailed the party’s September 3 primary.

    According to the association, Abraham is the only one who can rescue the masses from the debilitating effects of poor governance of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration.

    The association added that the party must settle the agitation against the allegations of fraud that rocked the election that produced Rotimi Akeredolu as winner.

    Speaking yesterday at their secretariat in Akure, the Iyaloja General, Mrs. Olabisi Ojo Babatunde, said: “We the market women and men of Ondo State are true progressives; and this move to align with the progressives started since the days of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN).

    “And this time around, we are united in the decision to throw our weight behind Olusegun Abraham to rescue this state from the poverty experienced by the masses.”

    She added: “As stakeholders in determining how the state functions or otherwise, we believe that this is our way of contributing to the achievement of better governance in Ondo State.

    “The state deserves a leader with integrity, who understands how to make money and how to make money flow within the polity. We have met almost all the people aspiring to govern the state as from next year, and we have seen by his antecedence that Abraham is the most fit for the job; no doubt.”

    According to Mrs. Babatunde, the Iyalojas and their executive members were constituted to act as liaison officers between the APC and the members of the ACMWAMN to ensure smooth-working relationship that would translate into mutual benefits.

    She appealed to the party to resolve the petitions against the APC primary election as soon as possible to pave way for a truly free and fair primary.

    “We join many of the well-meaning voices that have rejected that primary election that was unfortunately marred by fraud. It should not stand. “Therefore, we appeal to the party’s headquarter and leadership to resolve this electoral fraud issue quickly to allow the people make a better choice in a truly free and fair primary, which we are sure Abraham will emerge victorious.”

    “In fact, the 18 of us, all the Iyalojas from all the 18 local governments in Ondo just made our stance  known to our national leader, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Alhaja Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, and we believe they stand by us to support a practical governor in Abraham, for our state,” Mrs. Babatunde added.

    The group is the umbrella body of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria (ACMWAMN) under Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo.

  • Abraham urges calm as supporters protest again

    Abraham urges calm as supporters protest again

    Protesters yesterday stormed the home of a frontline aspirant in Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, Dr. Segun Abraham, to give him solidarity support.

    The visit to him in Ikare-Akoko followed the protests staged by his supporters in Akoko North East and Akure, the state capital, over Abraham’s defeat in the controversial primary conducted last Saturday.

    Abraham, who was overwhelmed by their show of solidarity, urged them to be calm and peaceful.

    He assured them that the party’s leadership was up to the task of handling the crisis.

    Some of the protesters called for the recall of a lawmaker, Stephen Friday Olemija, who they accused of sabotaging Akoko’s effort and determination to produce the next governor.

    He was accused of dumping his kinsman and governorship aspirant in support of another contestant, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, during the last primary.

    Olemija represents Akoko North East and Akoko North West in the House of Representatives. The lawmaker and Dr. Abraham are from Ikare in Akoko North East.

    Efforts made by The Nation to reach Olemija were unsuccessful.

    The protesters have sealed off his house with palm fronds and the place has been deserted.

    Yesterday, youths again carried two mocked coffins chanting anti-Olemija songs.

    It was learnt that many notable APC delegates, who voted against Abraham, “are in self-exile for fear of the youth’s wrath”.

    But a group, Yoruba Renaissance Forum (YRF), yesterday described the attack on the lawmaker’s supporters and political associates as unwarranted and ridiculous.

    The group noted that the country is in a democratic dispensation, where siblings could differ on political ideas.

    It added that it was not an offence for Olemija to support any governorship aspirant since he enjoys fundamental human rights, which allow individuals to decide which political association or group they want to belong.

    It noted that the lawmaker, as an illustrious son of Ikare-Akoko, had done a lot for his community, especially when he was the chairman of Akoko North Local Government and as member representing the federal constituency.

    Protests were also staged in Akure with many residents berating the process that led to the emergence of Akeredolu, who, they said, “woefully represented the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012 election”.

     

  • Abraham files appeal against Ondo primary

    Abraham files appeal against Ondo primary

    Another aspirant has rejected the result of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primary.

    The first runner-up in the election, Dr Segun Abraham, has challenged the victory of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). His petition is with the Appeal Committee.

    The result announced by the Election Committee headed by Jigawa State Governor  Muhammed Badaru Abubakar stated that  Akeredolu scored 669 votes. Abraham polled 635.

    Abraham said he was prompted to challenge the result following the emergence of sordid facts on how the process leading to the primary election was manipulated and compromised. After wide consultation with his numerous supporters, Abraham decided to explore the internal mechanism of the party to seek redress.

    Another aspirant, Olusola Oke, has also rejected the result, alleging  – like many party chiefs – that the list of delegates was doctored.

    A statement signed by the Director-General of Abraham’s campaign organisation Mr Olu Adegboro, reads: “It is no longer news that as a true democrat, imbued with the best spirit of sportsmanship, I congratulated Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who purportedly emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 3rd gubernatorial primary election in Ondo State in the face of palpable disbelief and surprise on the outcome of the primary election by my numerous supporters.

    “The news however is that, sordid and staggering facts have since emerged on how the process leading to the primary election was manipulated and compromised. It is now beyond doubt that the delegate list used on the day of the primary election was doctored and strangely injected with a mind blowing number of delegates who are neither executive members of our party nor statutory delegates.

    “To say the least, the manipulation of the delegate list, highly skewed accreditation process and the entire processes leading to the conduct of the primary election have cast the darkest stain on the result of the primary election held on the 3rd September, 2016.

    “Against this background, coupled with the change and integrity that our party preaches and practises, and having widely consulted with my numerous supporters, I have reached the hour of decision to fall back on the internal mechanism of our great party to seek redress so that the end of justice will be served and, more importantly, our democracy may endure. To this end, the outcome of the September 3rd APC governorship primaries in Ondo State is unacceptable and I hereby against same.

    “The allegations that have sadly pelted the supposedly free and fair Saturday exercise, where 24 aspirants battled to pick the party’s ticket, include but not limited to delegates list tampering, fake delegates incursion, disenfranchising of rightful delegates, smuggling of illegal ballot papers into ballot count”, he concluded.

     

  • Tinubu is our leader, says Akeredolu

    Tinubu is our leader, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has described Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the party’s respected leader, who he is waiting for his blessing.

    He denied a report that he said Tinubu would be shocked on the outcome of the result of the primary held at the weekend.

    Akeredolu spoke with reporters after he was announced winner of the primary.

    The APC candidate said he was surprised to read such report credited to him, saying going through the content of the report, there was no where he used such word.

    The former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) said he respects Tinubu as the party’s leader and he is always waiting for his blessing on whoever emerges as the APC candidate.

    He said: “I never said so. If you read that interview, you will never see where I used such word.

    “Tinubu is the leader of the party and I have respect for him.

    “He was here in Ondo State during the last governorship election and which I contested as the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    “He spent his money and his time and I am sure this time around, he will also be here to support me.

    “I always believe that he is somebody that I am waiting to see his blessing on who will emerge from free and fair primary and God has endorsed me.”

    The candidate was, however, confident that the party would go into the poll as a united family.

    He hailed the electoral committee members headed by Jigawa State Governor Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar for being faired to the contestants.

    “We have witnessed the most transparent, free and fair primary poll.

    “We have been talking about you and your electoral committee. I mean all of us – the aspirants – particularly your approach to us sir. It is been wonderful. You are respectful and you gave us the opportunity to be part of this primary. You are accommodating and you listen to us and there was no any time you try to force.

    “Today is a great day in the anal of this state. We are 24, who contested in this exercise.

    “They are great men and a woman, and who are eminently qualified to be governor of this state.

    “I want to appreciate all the aspirants for the wonderful relationship we had throughout the campaign.

    “We are looking forward for all of us to work together.

    “I have said it over and over that when politics is on competition for position, it will raise a lot of dust.

    “It is normal but when the dust is settled, we must work as one family and I know all the aspirants are going to work together as one family so that we can win during the poll.

    “We don’t need to give any signal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the incumbent governor. He knows that we have come and on undoubtedly, we will produce the next governor.

    “APC will be united for this campaign, we are going to carry everybody along,” Akeredolu said.

    The party’s candidate got 669 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr. Segun Abraham, who garnered 635 votes.

     

     

    Abraham congratulates APC candidate

    The runner up in the governorship primary election of Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Segun Abraham, yesterday congratulated the winner, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

    He promised to work for the party’s victory in the November 26 poll.

    Abraham got 635 votes and Akeredolu scored 669 votes. Twenty-three aspirants participated in the primary.

    Abraham spoke in an interview with reporters at his home in Akure, the state capital.

    The aspirant hailed the party’s electoral committee members, led by Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, for being transparent during the exercise.

    He praised his supporters for their love and dedication during the campaign.

    He assured them that their efforts would never be in vain.

    His words: “I want to thank the people of Ondo State for the love they gave me and I pray that the revival that I prayed for Ondo State, God will bring it back.

    “I want to thank my party, APC, which is the most respected party in West Africa. It is the only party that we can trust all over the world on transparency.

    “I want to thank all the leaders, particularly President Muhammdu Buhari, for sanitising this nation by reducing corruption.

    “As a loyal and dedicated member of APC, I will continue to be loyal and continue to work for the progress of my party.

    “I want to tell the people of Ondo State that you are my people and I am your son. I will not turn my back and I will continue to put your matter before me as one of the priorities in whatever capacity that God allows me to assist this state, especially in the area of industrialisation, area of poverty reduction, area of wealth creation and area of reviving of values.

    “I want to tell you that by God’s grace, Ondo State will be great. I thank God that has made me to be a Nigerian and I thank God that I am an Ikare man from Akoko.

    “I want to thank our fathers and mothers from Akoko for the love and dedication they gave this project.

    “They came out united to ensure that I win the primary, they even prayed and fast and they did all they could so that our state also will develop.

    “I want to thank the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim community for their prayers throughout my campaign. I believe that the state must move forward and I believe that APC must take the state from PDP.”

  • Ondo Poll: Another APC aspirant withdraws from race, backs Abraham

    Ondo Poll: Another APC aspirant withdraws from race, backs Abraham

    Ahead of today’s primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, another aspirant, Mr. Derin Adesida yesterday withdrew from the race to clinch the ticket of the party.

    Adesida, who represented Akure South/Akure North federal constituency between 2007 and 2011 at the House of Representatives lawmaker said he opted out of the race in order to support another aspirant, Dr. Segun Abraham.

    He said he took the decision after extensive consultation with some leaders and members of his political family.

    Earlier, two other aspirants Dr. Paul Akintelure and Mr. Akinyinka Akinlola also announced their withdrawal from the race on Wednesday.

    Akintelure, was the running mate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN in 2012 election, while Akinlola, is the son of the late Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Bayo Akinlola and they both threw their weights behind Mr. Segun Abraham.

    In a statement signed by head of media and Publicity of Derin Adesida Campaign Organisation (DACO) Mr. Adeyemi Lebimoyo said the former lawmaker has decided to sacrifice his ambition because of his regard for the leadership of the party.

    “Being a very strong politician from Akure, Adesida is poised to make winning easy for the APC in his town. Adesida is still ever formidable and a force to reckon with in Akure political circle. Stepping down from the race is to allow for the process to present our candidate to be less stressful

    “While I know that some of my delegates who are battle ready to see that we clinch this ticket may be disappointed, I want to implore them to understand that party interest must override our personal ambitions. Clustered aspirations may hinder our party from taking over the Alagbaka government house.”

    The development has reduced the number of aspirants from 24 to 21.