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Tag: Ondo polls

  • Ondo polls: Obi mobilises voters for LP candidate

    Ondo polls: Obi mobilises voters for LP candidate

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, on Monday, stormed Akure to mobilise voters for the party’s candidate, Chief Sola Ebiseni, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

    Obi, accompanied by leaders of the LP, led a road show across major streets of Akure

    He urged Ondo people to vote for the LP and shun vote buying and selling.

    According to him: “We are here for the campaign of the gubernatorial election coming up on Saturday.

    “We know democracy is suffering in Nigeria, we know they’ve turned democracy into transitional politics but we still insist that we continue to campaign and telling Nigerians that this is time to start building a new Nigeria.

    Read Also: Peter Obi’s stance on church vigils misconstrued – Media aide

    “A Nigeria where a child of nobody is somebody, a Nigeria where there will be equal opportunity, a Nigeria where we put people out of poverty, a Nigeria where our children will be in school, where our hospitals will work.

    “We don’t want people to give us money which they’ve stolen from us and thereafter, they continue to steal more.

    “We want to stop the stealing and start the rebuilding, we want to stop the destroying and start the rebuilding. We want to move this country from consumption to production so we can create jobs. That’s why we are here campaigning.”

    Ebiseni said LP remained the most popular political party in the state.

    He said the programmes, policies and projects executed under the LP’s government dotted all parts of the state.

  • Ondo polls: Farmers promise 150,000 votes for Aiyedatiwa

    Ondo polls: Farmers promise 150,000 votes for Aiyedatiwa

    The Ondo State Farmers’ Congress has promised to deliver 150,000 votes for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    It said the Ondo Governor has shown dedication to agriculture as well as fostered progress and innovation among farmers. 

    President of the Ondo State Farmers’ Congress, Monilari Abayomi, spoke in Akure at the unveiling of a N10bn naira mixed-use housing project

    Abayomi said the current administration, established one of Africa’s largest goat breeding facilities.

    He said the facility has positioned the state as a leader in sustainable animal farming as well as created job opportunities across the state. 

    He explained that the N10bn mixed-use housing project was designed to provide essential infrastructure such as community centres and training facilities to support farmers and boost productivity.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: Parties induce voters with fertilizers, rice, maize, Yiaga Africa alleges

    Abayomi said they were confident that Aiyedatiwa’s full term in office would ensure continuity and develop Ondo’s agricultural sector.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa, who thanked the farmers’ for the endorsement, said hid administration’s has respect for the agricultural community. 

    He said the ongoing rural-urban road projects across the three senatorial districts aimed to improve farmers’ access to markets and ease transportation of produce. 

    The Governor noted that investments in storage facilities, mechanised farming, and affordable inputs were to enhance agricultural productivity and safeguard food security. 

    He appealed to the farmers to renew his mandate by coming out in large numbers on election day.

  • Ondo polls: Parties induce voters with fertilizers, rice, maize, Yiaga Africa alleges

    Ondo polls: Parties induce voters with fertilizers, rice, maize, Yiaga Africa alleges

    A non-governmental organisation, Yiaga Africa, has alleged political parties and candidates in Ondo State have resorted to inducing voters with cash gifts and food items to secure their support ahead of next week’s governorship election.

    It said its Long Term Observers  observed cases of voter inducement during campaign activities in Akure South, Ese-Odo, Ifedore, Irele, Ondo East, Ose, and Owo LGAs

    The organisation alleged that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) distributed fertilisers, rice, cassava, and maize to community leaders tasked with distributing these items within their areas of influence.

    This was contained in Yiaga’s Pre-election Assessment report presented at the signing of Peace Accord in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: INEC distributes 64,273 PVCs

    The report said voters turnout in Ondo State have not exceeded 40% since 2011.

    It said Ondo North has a long history of high voter turnout even though Ondo Central has the highest concentration of registered voters since the conduct of the 2011 election.

    According to the report,  “With the exception of the 2011 presidential election, Ondo central senatorial district has the highest case of rejected votes in all election preceding the 2020 election.

    “As the election approaches, tensions between political parties are escalating, with different sides trading accusations and warnings.
    “The situation underscores the need for vigilance and peaceful conduct frollm all stakeholders involved. Security agencies should take proactive measures to mitigate these risks.

    “Ensuring the safety of voters, election o cials, and all other participants is paramount to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Preventive measures must be prioritized to avert violence and ensure a peaceful election.”

  • Ondo polls: Ifa oracle picked Aiyedatiwa, says Odigbo monarch

    Ondo polls: Ifa oracle picked Aiyedatiwa, says Odigbo monarch

    The Orunja of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Rufus Olugboyega Akinrinmade, has said that Ifa oracle picked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Oba Akinrinmade said the Governor’s mandate was a divine call from the ancestors.

    The Odigbo monarch spoke when the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign team led by Governor Aiyedatiwa visited his palace and other stakeholders in the locality.

    He called on his subjects to rally behind the Governor and ensure he secure a decisive victory in next week’s election.

    “It is the Ifa oracle that has chosen Aiyedatiwa, not any human being. His mandate is a divine call from our ancestors, and there is nothing anyone can do to alter this,” the monarch said.

    Aiyedatiwa assured the Orunja of Odigbo that his administration would address the community’s challenges as it relates to the forest reserves and inter-community relations.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: Aiyedatiwa promises to dualise Akure-Idanre highway

    The Governor inaugurated a block of four classrooms and a staff room at Isero Grammar School, a Community Project supported by the Ondo Care Initiative.

    At Ore, Governor Aiyedatiwa promised to enhance the status of the town as the economic hub of the state.

    He assured he would integrate their requests into the 2025 budget.

  • Ondo polls: INEC holds mock accreditation

    Ondo polls: INEC holds mock accreditation

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has conducted mock accreditation exercise to ascertain the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) deployed for next week’s governorship election in Ondo State were working effectively.

    It conducted the mock accreditation in six local government areas of the State.

    Some voters who turned out for the exercise said they were captured within one minute.

    National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who visited some polling units where the mock accreditation exercise held, also visited some local government offices of INEC to see the level of their preparedness for the election.

    Among the polling units monitored by Prof. Yakubu were Ward 4, unit 41 and Ward 5, unit 18 in Akure South, Ward 10 unit 12 and One in Idanre LGA.

    Yakubu, in a chat with journalists after monitoring the exercise, urged governorship candidates and their political parties to maintain existing peace in the State.

    Yakubu noted that the electoral body would be able to conduct free and fair election if the parties and their supporters maintained peace.

    He explained mock accreditation exercise was to further test functionality of their system.

    According to him:  “In the last election the machine performed optimally but we can not take that for granted.

    “We will ensure that all the polling unit open on time so that voters will not come and wait for INEC officials and materials.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: Aiyedatiwa promises to dualise Akure-Idanre highway

    “And we have test  the integrity of the machine, is not the matter of deploy early but also accredit early

    “We are doing our best as Electoral Commission and other should also do their best particularly political parties and the candidate

    “I want to appeal to political parties, candidates and their supporters to ensure that they maintain the peace that will enable us to deploy in good time , concluding the processes in good time.

    “And also to announce the candidate people of Ondo State are choosing as their governor on Saturday,” he said.

  • Ondo polls: Adeleke asks Osun indigenes to begin door-to-door campaign for Ajayi

    Ondo polls: Adeleke asks Osun indigenes to begin door-to-door campaign for Ajayi

    Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged Osun indigenes in Ondo State to embark in aggressive door-to-door campaign for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi.

    Adeleke spoke in Akure where the Ipinle Osun endorsed Ajayi as their preferred candidate in next week’s governorship election.

    The Osun Governor said Ajayi would replicate successes recorded in other PDP States in the Southwest region.

    He urged the Osun indigenes not to be afraid to cast and protect their votes.

    According to him: “I am happy to talk to my people. There is so much suffering and hunger but the light has come in the person of Ajayi.

    Read Also: No student raped to death – Adeleke varsity

    “I charge all of you to start campaigning for Ajayi. Good things have come to Ondo State. Work for the emergence of Ajayi.

    “I am here to support Ajayi. I am telling my people to vote Ajayi. You know what is going on in my five-point agenda. Retired Pensioners are getting paid and that is how it is going to happen in Ondo

    “Go from door to door and campaign about issues. PDP is a progressive party. Go out and vote. Stay with your vote. Do not be afraid.

    Ajayi said the way the people voted for the PDP in Osun ‘is how they will do in Ondo.’

  • Ondo polls: The Governor we want, by CAN

    Ondo polls: The Governor we want, by CAN

    The Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) in Ondo State has listed sectors it expects the next administration to focus on.

    It said economic development and job opportunities must remain top priorities for the in-coming administration.

    Ondo CAN Chairman of CAN, Reverend Anselm Ologunwa, spoke when Christian leaders  had an interface with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Ologunwa said the Christian body remains non-partisan but focused on its duty to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ, regardless of political affiliations. 

    He said CAN understood the vital role of leadership to shaping the future of the state and ready to support any leader who prioritises the people’s welfare.

    “We need a government that actively advocates for peace and harmony. Economic development and job opportunities must remain a top priority. We commit to praying for leaders who put the welfare of the people above all else.”

    Read Also: Ondo polls: Ajayi, Aiyedatiwa clash at debate

    “The Christian community has set aside three days of intensive prayer, beginning on November 10th, for the state and the election. We are praying for divine guidance and the peace of Ondo State. We trust that God will intervene,” he said 

    Aiyedatiwa said his administration was grounded in the body of Christ and would not fail in its duty to serve the people. 

    He said: “I am one of you, a born-again Christian, and I understand the spiritual responsibilities that come with leadership. The Ondo State government is anchored on the body of Christ, and as such, we cannot afford to fail. I earnestly ask that you continue to pray for us, for wisdom in governance and for the upcoming elections to be peaceful and just.”

  • PDP vows to resist alleged ploy to draft Amotekun for Ondo polls

    PDP vows to resist alleged ploy to draft Amotekun for Ondo polls

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has vowed to resist any attempt to drag the Amotekun Corps into next month’s governorship election.

    It alleged the reappointment of Akogun Adetunji Adeleye was a ploy to make the Amotekun Corps play roguish roles like hooliganism and thuggery activities ahead of the elections.

    Special Adviser, Media and Publicity of the PDP campaign council, Ayo Fadaka, in a press statement issued in Akure, described the plan as an abuse of power and privileges that would be counter-productive with very deep consequences.

    Fadaka said a chieftain of the party,  Folarin Oyenusi, was shot at while travelling with his family at Ile-Oluji community.

    He alleged that “barracks” have been opened for thugs across the state and promised to furnish security agencies  addresses of hotels and facilities being used for the purposes.

    Fadaka stated that the APC planned to  cause security scare in many local government areas with a view to arrest  chieftains of the PDP.

    “We once again call upon the security agencies to take their briefs seriously and nip all sinister and criminal plots of the APC in the bud in the interest of peace in the State.”

    But Ondo APC Director of Media, Steve Otaloro, said there were no Security Committee in the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Council and no plan to involve Amotekun Corps

    Read Also: Makinde to employ more Amotekun Corps, build two airstrips in 12 months

    Otaloro stated that the Amotekun Corps remained a professional body dedicated to protecting the people and not engaging in politics.

    “‘The PDP’s allegations of violence, thuggery, and plans to cause security scares are also baseless. In fact, it’s the PDP that’s been crying wolf, trying to distract from their own lack of preparation for the election. We urge the security agencies to investigate these claims and bring perpetrators to justice.

    “Our campaign is focused on issues, not misinformation. We’re committed to working for the people, not spreading false allegations. The PDP should join us in promoting a peaceful and issue-based campaign.”

  • Ondo polls: SDP Deputy governorship candidate joins APC

    Ondo polls: SDP Deputy governorship candidate joins APC

    Deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Mrs Susan Gbemisola Shekoni-Alabi, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of next month’s election.

    Shekoni-Alabi had resigned from the SDP and stepped down as running mate to Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, the governorship candidate of the party.

    She was received into the APC by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during his campaign tour to communities in Akoko Northwest local government area.

    The former SDP chieftain promised to mobilise her supporters for the victory of Aiyedatiwa

    Aiyedatiwa said her decision to join the APC underscored the party’s inclusive, progressive ideology and continued to attract top talent from across the political spectrum

    The Ondo Governor said the 2025 budget would be structured to capture developmental needs of every community in the state.

    Speaking at Ogbagi Akoko, Governor Aiyedatiwa said infrastructure and other essential services would soon get to the people.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: Aiyedatiwa denies tampering with LG fund

    “I am thankful for the love and support you showed during the primaries. Your endorsement today strengthens my resolve to continue serving you diligently. All the monarchs across the local government areas are speaking with one voice, endorsing our vision and backing this campaign,” he said. 

    Speaking on behalf of the 27 traditional rulers in the area, the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Olasehinde Ojo Adetona, assured the Governor of their unwavering support ahead of the election.

    “In Akoko North West, there is no opposition against your candidacy; we will deliver our votes because we trust your leadership and know you will continue performing excellently”, the monarch said, while also outlining the developmental challenges of the area.”

  • Ondo polls: You can’t win Ondo, APC tells NNPP

    Ondo polls: You can’t win Ondo, APC tells NNPP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has said that the threat by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to win next month’s governorship election was misguided.

    It said Ondo State people were not animals to be captured.

    The Ondo APC noted that the NNPP lacked the structure to win the governorship election because its candidate, Gbenga Edema, was a former APC member who defected after losing the primary.

    Media Director of the Ondo APC, Steve Otaloro, in a statement, said the NNPP’s reliance on surprises to win the election was absurd.

    Read Also: Ondo polls: APC tackles Makinde over call for REC’s removal

    He said the good work of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would be the yardstick for victory at the polls.

    He said the people wanted empirical facts, and Governor Aiyedatiwa has fulfilled every indicator.

    “NNPP should focus on what they will do differently from the APC-led government instead of relying on attacks and surprises.

    “We appreciate the role of opposition parties in putting the ruling party on its toes through constructive criticism. However, before merging with other parties, they should resolve their internal crises. A divided house cannot discuss mergers.”