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Tag: Akoko

  • Counting, announcement begin in Akoko units

    Announcement of result has begun in several polling units in Akoko, Ondo State.
    In Unit 7, Ward 13, Olori Compound, Akungba, Akoko-Southwest, voting ended at about 2pm while sorting of ballots started soon after.
    All Progressives Congress (APC) Akoko Southwest chairman Daudu Bolakale said everyone who came out voted before 2pm.
    In the unit, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 44 votes; Alliance for Democracy (AD) got 35 votes; APC scored 97.
    In Unit 6, Ward 14, Oba-Akoko in Akoko Southwest, AD won with 89 votes, followed by APC, 78, and PDP 34.

  • Voter apathy in Akoko Southeast

    There is voter apathy in parts of Akoko Southeast as few voters turned out to vote.
    In several polling units in Isua, the headquarters of Akoko Southeast, few people were on queue.
    In Unit 003, Court Hall, Isua IV, Ward 10 with 334 registered voters, less than 20 voters were on queue.
    An electoral officer said voting began by 8.30am because people “did not turn out on time”.
    In Unit 011, Ward 10, there were also few voters but the process was smooth.
    Policemen had little to do as they sat together in groups.
    Some businesses were open as traders made brisk sales.
    A restaurant operator, Mrs Ibori, said she would not vote because she believes the local government had been neglected.
    “For the past eight months, we have not had light in this area and the government has not done anything about it.
    “People here are not happy with the government. Those who are voting must have been induced to vote,” she said.

  • Akoko monarchs deny endorsing Ibrahim

    Monarchs in Akoko have debunked the report of their endorsement of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimoh Ibrahim.

    The monarchs described the report as a surreptious move to embarass the traditional rulers.

    A joint statement by Olubaka of Oka, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye and the Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun,noted that the meeting was at Isua- Akoko and not Oka as reported.

    The statement noted that the blackout by Benin Electricity Distribution(BDEC) being experienced in Akokoland for almost a year now was the major issue on the agenda at the meeting and not endorsement of candidate.

    They wondered why such report should could be promoted when the resolution or comunique was not made available in any quarters.

    Accordingg to the traditional rulers: ”we are no politicians but fathers to everybody,the assertion that Oloba made the statement had been openly refuted by him saying, only first class monarch could speak to the media.

    They advocated for peaceful election and pray for peace in the state before during and after saturday governorship election.

  • Akoko group backs Agunloye

    Akoko group backs Agunloye

    A Socio-Cultural organization, the Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF), has pledged to support the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Olu Agunloye, during the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

    A statement by its Chairman, Chief Festus Obaude, Secretary, R.A. Ajayi, and Welfare/Education Committee Chairman, Christopher Olorunfemi, described Agunloye as an illustrious son of Akokoland, who has the capacity to uplift the area and the state in general.

    The group lamented that the people in the four local government areas in Akoko have been relegated to the background.

    The ACF noted that the present government since inception in February 2009 has not made its impact felt in Akokoland, especially in the area of roads, electricity and potable water supply.

    It expressed optimism that with Agunloye’s passion for Akokoland, the former chief executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) would bring development to the communities in Akokoland and Ondo State as a whole.

    The statement added: “We are determined individually to support Agunloye’s aspiration, although the ACF is apolitical, but our members are conversant with the situation in Akokoland and we believe that with our support and that of the people, the SDP candidate will emerge victorious in the coming election.

    “We believe it is the turn of Akoko to produce the next governor; we are not happy that our people could not speak with one voice. The only alternative now is Agunloye and we will support him.”

  • Ondo: Akoko gives rousing welcome to Abraham

    Ondo: Akoko gives rousing welcome to Abraham

    The people of Akoko land in Ondo State yesterday trooped out to receive their son, Olusegun Abraham, the first runner-up in the disputed September 3 shadow election of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  for governorship election in the state. It would be the first time the industrialist cum politician will be visiting Akoko since the primary election.

    The crowd had converged from the four local government areas in Akoko to give him a rousing welcome. Abraham said the visit was necessary and timely, and it was aimed at appreciating the selfless and unflinching support of his kinsmen, and to also reassure them of his readiness to reclaim the “stolen” mandate of the people.

    Speaking in his local dialect, Abraham said, “I appreciate your unflinching support so far my people. You are just the best. I appreciate our elders, mothers, the youth, the children and every indigene of Akoko that have stood firm for justice. I assure you that your faith in me, which you have reposed in getting your rightful mandate, will not fail”.

    “It is unfortunate that some people within the APC, the people we all now know, employed fraudulent means to rob us of our right by colluding with elements outside our state. But, I assure you that by the grace of God, we will get back our mandate. Don’t listen to the naysayers and liars. I am not leaving this party. Our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is not leaving the party. We are already in court to seek redress, and more so, we are still in talks within the party ranks to get back our stolen mandate.

    “Fact and figures don’t lie. A fraud was committed. Some people connived to pad our delegates lists, disenfranchised close to 200 delegates and substituted them with fake ones. That’s a fact that was established by the Electoral Appeal committee, but wrongfully vetoed by Oyegun. But be rest assured, victory is coming and our mandate will be reclaimed,” he assured.

    He also told them to debunk and distance themselves from any rumour that associates him with Olusola Oke’s Alliance for Democracy (AD), stating that he won’t form any alliance with people who were instrumental in thwarting the clear chance of Akoko to produce the next governor of the state. He added that such people, who were even new in the APC at the time, could not be trusted to represent the interest of the people as it was clear they are only interested in fulfilling their own political ambitions.

     

  • Akoko indigenes to support Agunloye

    Akoko indigenes to support Agunloye

    A Group, the Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF), has pledged to support the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State, Dr Olu Agunloye, saying he is the best man for the job.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Festus Obaude, Secretary, R.A Ajayi and Welfare/Education Committee Chairman, Christopher Olorunfemi, the ACF described Agunloye as an illustrious son of Akokoland, who has the capacity to uplift the area and the whole state.

    The group lamented that the people in the four local government areas of the state have been relegated to the background, in terms of distribution of infrastructures across the state.

    The group added that, since inception in February 2009, the present government has not made its impact felt in Akokoland, especially in the provision of infrastructure such as a good road network, stable electricity and potable water supply.

    It expressed optimism that with Agunloye’s passion for Akokoland, the former Minister and the former Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) would bring development to the communities in Akokoland and Ondo State as a whole.

    The statement added: “We are determined individually to support Agunloye’s aspiration, although the ACF is apolitical, but our members are conversant with the situation in Akokoland and we believe that with our support and that of the people, the SDP candidate will emerge victorious in the coming election.

    “We believe it is the turn of Akoko to produce the next governor; we are not happy that our people could not speak with one voice. The only alternative now is Agunloye and we will support him.”

    The ACF said the people-oriented programmes of the SDP would bring development to the state and create wealth and employment for the people.

    It urged the people of Akokoland to rally round the Erusu-Akoko politician and vote massively for his emergence as governor during the November 26 election.

  • Akoko coalition backs Accord ’s candidate

    A group, Akoko Youth Coalition (AYC), has backed the aspiration of Ondo State Accord party’s governorship candidate Ola Amuda.

    Amuda, a seasoned technocrat from Akoko North West Local Government, was a former Special Assistant (SA) to late Governor Olusegun Agagu.

    At a meeting in Akure yesterday, the group’s President, Raji Lawal, hinged their support for Amuda on the need to actualise the agenda of having an Akoko man as the next governor in Ondo State.

    Lawal said the only logical option left for the Akoko people was the Accord Party’s candidate, since the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has been given to Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) from Akure and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is secured by Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who is an indigene of Owo.

    The group stressed that the only consistent and sellable Akoko man in the governorship race is Amuda.

    It noted that Akokoland has been “totally neglected by the incumbent administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko in areas of good road network, electricity and other basic infrastructure”.

  • ‘No endorsement of candidate yet in Akoko’

    Two non-partisan groups in Akokoland, Ondo State, Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF) and Akoko Development Group (ADG), have debunked the report that one of the aspirants from the division had been selected as its candidate.

    ACF President Prince Festus Obaude, who spoke to reporters at the weekend in Akure, the state capital, said the two groups were co-opted into the special screening committee headed by former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi as neutral members to harmonise the aspirants and pick the best among the contestants.

    Obaude explained: “Our mission is free from politics. We are established to see to the development, unity and peace of Akokoland. We don’t have a particular party or aspirant in mind, but to ensure that the four local government areas produce the best candidate that will eventually emerge as the governor.”

    He maintained that there was no time the screening committee came with a resolution that an aspirant had topped the list of other contestants.

    Obaude said: “The screening committee only advised all aspirants to put their heads together and pick the best winnable candidate among themselves, while others rallying round to compete with those emerging from other zones for the primary elections.”

    Also, the group’s welfare committee chairman, Christopher Olorunfemi, said the Olanusi-led screening team believed in justice and transparency.

    He stressed that this informed the decision of the committee to allow aspirants to decide among themselves the best to become the candidate.

    Olorunfemi said the committee was awaiting the outcome of the agreement reached by the aspirants, when a report came out that Senator Boroffice had topped the list in the ranking of the contestants with 84 per cent.

    He said: “We are non-partisan; our duty is to offer advice. We are saying emphatically that the committee comprising all stakeholders in Akokoland has not adopted any candidate.”

     

     

  • Akoko APC elders back Abraham

    THE Akoko Elders Assembly (AEA) of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed Chief Segun Abraham, one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the party from the division, as its candidate for the November 26 polls.

    Its Chairman, Chief Felix Ayegbusi, told reporters that the elders’ decision was hinged on their interest in the growth of Akokoland and Ondo State.

    Abraham, who hails from Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North Federal Constituency, contested for the seat on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2012 before the party’s leadership picked Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as its party candidate.

    Ayegbusi said the group’s decision was without sentiments.

    The APC chieftain said the group hinged its resolution on the fact that former Governor Adebayo Adefarati, ex-deputy governor Ali Olanusi; former Speaker Victor Olabimtan and the incumbent Senator Ajayi Boroffice are from Akoko South.

    Ayegbusi said there was the need to guard against dissipating energy, wasting resources and splitting support from party loyalists on almost 10 aspirants from Akoko division.

    Ayegbusi said the elders had not stopped any aspirant from contesting or infringing on their rights.

    But he stressed that it was logical to present a candidate from the division to contest with others during the primary election after which the candidate would emerge.

    He maintained that the APC elders wanted the best for Akokoland, saying: “All of us are Akoko indigenes; we are genuinely and earnestly in need of the governorship ticket.”

    Ayegbusi noted that since APC leadership had maintained that there would be no zoning, each division is strategising to secure the ticket for its area.

    He stressed that the elders endorsed Abraham from Akoko North Federal Constituency for equality and justice.

    He added that since Akoko division has two parts, the one that had been favoured most should give opportunity to the other.

    Aspirants from Akoko South are Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Victor Olabimtan and Foluso Adefemi.

    Those in the North division are Chief Abraham, Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Ganny Dauda.

  • ‘Akoko elders’ position on zoning in Ondo wrong’

    •APC aspirant seeks peace among contestants

    Former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker,Victor Olabimtan, said yesterday he “is  still very active” in the governorship race to Alagbaka House.

    He spoke against the report that some Akoko elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Felix Ayegbusi, zoned the governorship slot to Akoko North Federal Constituency at a meeting in Arigidi-Akoko.

    Olabimtan is from Supare-Akoko in the Akoko South Federal Constituency.

    The party elders said they took the decision to sustain peace,unity, progress and statesmanship in Akokoland.

    Contestants from Akoko North, where they purportedly zoned the governorship position are Tunji Abayomi,Segun Abraham and Gani Dauda.

    The aspirants in the South are Ajayi Boroffice, Victor Olabimtan and Folusho Adefemi.

    The former Federal Civil Service Commissioner said: “I am not opposed to consensus but such process must be thorough and all inclusive.Any arrangement that will pitch us against ourselves and further split Akokoland will not augur well for us and APC as a whole.

    “Their decision, which we read in the newspaper does not have the inputs and blessing of the ‘genuine’ APC leaders from Akoko North and the generality of Akoko sons and daughters, who are fervently praying and believe that the next governor of Ondo State should be an Akoko indigene.”

    The former Speaker, therefore, dissociated himself from what he called “sectional arrangement”, which he said had died before it was born.

    But ahead of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election primary in the state, an aspirant, Mr. Akinwale Akingbade, at the weekend urged other contestants to give room for peace.

    Akingbade warned that social media and verbal attacks among the aspirants might deem the chances of the party in the November 26 poll.