APC Governors Show Up As Akeredolu Flags-Off Re-Election Campaign In Akure
Governors of the All Progressive Congress (APC) stormed Akure, the Ondo state capital on Saturday as Rotimi Akeredolu kicked off his re-election campaign ahead of the November poll.
Some of the Governors present in Akure were Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state, and Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state.
However, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was expected to flag-off the campaign was absent.
Also absent was the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The party’s flag was presented to Akeredolu by acting National Chairman and Yobe state Governor, Mai Mala Buni.
“Ondo State is receiving first-class governance,” Sanwo-Olu said during his speech. “Ondo state is receiving a progressive man that has brought about real development.”
Akeredolu has “confirmed all promises,” Fayemi said as he urged the crowd at the campaign event to return the Governor for a second term. “Four more years of APC is four more years of development.”
Speaking in Yoruba, Akeredolu warned his supporters that “there is work to do” in order to prevent contesting parties from rigging the election.
Also present at the event was the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
“The turnout here is an indication that he is done well for the people of Ondo state,” the Minister said, “and that there is a very great likelihood that he will be re-elected. And I believe that when he is re-elected, he will perform better than what he has done now, despite the limited resources he has.”
‘The masses are with us’
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party postponed the flag-off of its campaign for candidate Eyitayo Jegede till September 12; it was originally scheduled for today.
Instead, the PDP campaign team met in Ibadan to strengthen strategy for the November 10 election.
Jegede, after the meeting, said the APC stood no chance.
“The people of Ondo state have now seen the negative effects of APC administration,” he said.
“If they are sure of their position, then they should not have threatened violence, they shouldn’t have said they are relying on federal might, which is what they have been saying all along.
“The masses are with us and they should not impose any violence on the state; let’s have a free and fair election, any day, any time APC will go down.”
The National Organising and Mobilising Secretary of the PDP, Sen. Austin Akobundu, also said the PDP will not take anything for granted in its quest to reclaim Ondo state.