Sunday Olugbenga Abire
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has impressed in our collective minds the need to combine hard-work with faith. As an incumbent who enjoys the support of God and the people of Ondo state, one would think the Governor would slow down. He rather campaigned relentlessly and vigorously, engaging the people from dawn to dusk. I sincerely do not think any of the candidates comes close to him in terms of energy, engagement and reach.
The campaign train of Governor Aiyedatiwa left for Okeagbe in Akoko North West Local Government where he received the SDP Deputy Governorship candidate into the APC. Mrs Susan Gbemisola Alabi popularly known as Erelu didn’t just defect to the APC while jettisoning her ambition to become a Deputy Governor in the forthcoming election but also confessed to being enamored with the purposeful leadership that has been incubated under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Akoko North West obeyed the clarion call with the thunderous shout of continuity under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa. The traditional rulers declared unequivocally through Ọwa of Ogbagi, Oba Olasehinde Adetona:
“In Akoko North West, there is no opposition to your candidacy. We will deliver our votes because we trust your leadership”
Governor Aiyedatiwa promised the people of Akoko North West and by extension, the people of Ondo state, that the 2025 budget would address critical needs of the people as his visit to all communities has afforded him the opportunity to understand the pressing needs of the people.
However, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo brought a carnival-like twist to the campaign. Many thanks to Mr Wale Akinterinwa and other notable leaders who mobilised for the party in the LG. The Jegun Olu-Ekun of Ile-Oluji unapologetically pronounced the divine ordination of Governor Aiyedatiwa to lead the people of Ondo state at a critical time like this. I agree totally with Ọba Olufaderin Adetimehin judging from the ordeals of Governor Aiyedatiwa who was unnecessarily vilified and maligned during the days of primitive politicking. How a man who supposedly had no structure became the only structure upon which most politicians build their structures in Ondo state can only be explained as an act of God. It is truly divine and marvelous in our eyes.
From Ilu-Oluji, Okeigbo to Bamikemo, the Aiyedatiwa/Adelami ticket promised to open vistas of opportunities for the people especially as rural roads will be constructed to ease the pains of transporting agricultural products from rural communities to urban areas.
The hilly city of Idanre, the home of Engr. Ade Adetimehin, the APC state chairman and Hon Tajudeen Adefisoye received the campaign train of Governor Aiyedatiwa. There was one thing that resonated so high in Idanre. It is Aiyedatiwa’s promised ease in the dualisation of Akure-Idanre road in order to attract investors and tourists. Governor Aiyedatiwa didn’t hide his intention to make Idanre a proper destination for tourists, thereby improving the living condition of the people, surging economic as well as social activities and ensuring the welfare of residents through sustained and strategic investments.
Idanre is on course for an intentional prosperity under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa with the channelisation of the Owena Dam, a total overhaul of the Idanre Golf Course, construction of rural roads and boosting agricultural activities.
Significantly, if there is any Local Government where ‘drumming support’ made sense in reality, Iju in Akure North Local Government where an old woman came all out with her talking drum for Aiyedatiwa/Adelami brought forth that reality. The excitement across Iju, Itaogbolu, Igoba, Oba Ile, Ogbese and Ilu Abo was massively magnetic.
Ọba Olu Falae, a prominent traditional ruler in the Local Government and a strong supporter of Governor Aiyedatiwa joined his voice with those of the crowns in Akure North to drum support for Governor Aiyedatiwa. Chiefly, Aiyedatiwa promised the people of Akure North a massive turnaround in the construction of roads that will enhance their productivity as well as providing them with adequate security.
Akoko North East, Okitipupa, Odigbo, Ondo West and Akoko South West received the campaign train of Aiyedatiwa/Adelami. While a former Member of House of Representatives, Hon Stephen Olemija and Hon Lekan Bada, PDP candidate in the just concluded House of Representatives by-election, defected to the APC in Ikare Akoko, the Governor assured the people of Ikare and neighboring communities of his desire to provide adequate security for all as well as delivering more development in healthcare and education.
In Okitipupa, the people couldn’t wait anymore for INEC to bring election materials as they were more than ready to vote Governor Aiyedatiwa to continue beyond 2025. The human traffic in Okitipupa Local Government remains unbeatable. Aiyedatiwa vowed to build on the enduring legacies of late Dr Olusegun Agagu in Ikale land as he promised to facilitate the establishment of airstrip in Southern Senatorial District.
However, anyone who followed the Governor to the palace of the Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Olugboyega, would laugh out loud at the sincere statements of the revered monarch. He was as practical as real. Ọba Rufus understood that Aiyedatiwa is a man in his time and nothing could stop him. The monarch re-echoed that there is no competition in destiny. He threw his weight behind him and counseled that the Governor should do good to all manners of people as he has been chosen by the ‘oracle’ to provide leadership for the people of Ondo state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa reassured the people of his plans to make Ore an economic hub as he promised to capture their requests in the 2025 budget.
Ondo West showed class as Akoko South West. While the former remains the Local Government of the DG, Hon Peter Abiola Makinde, the latter remains the home of Progressives where nothing else prevails except Progressive politicking. Interestingly, Ondo West stood still for Aiyedatiwa as all political tendencies that matter in the kingdom are rooting for the man of the moment.
Akoko South West is stubbornly studded for the APC. All tendencies have aligned to deliver massive votes for the party. With the unity of purpose being fueled by Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Hon Ade Adeogun , Rt Hon Victor Adekanye Olabimtan , Dr Victor Ategbole and other leaders, the people are resolute to vote overwhelmingly for their darling Governor.
The endorsements by Ondo State farmers, Ebira community, Hausa community, Igbo community, Muslim society, Christian Association of Nigeria and the Trade Union Congress were necessary fillips to the Governor’s bid to seek the thumbs of his people. These groups saw the uncommon and inclusive leadership trait in their Governor and they have vowed to support him, come November 16, 2024.
If working hard means anything in politics and life, Aiyedatiwa has shown ‘workings’ as the Gen-Z would say. To be modest, considering the kind of efforts the Governor puts into his campaign, he’s definitely looking beyond winning but winning all the people to himself in an unprecedented manner. Aiyedatiwa is poised and positioned for another historic electoral victory in Ondo state. Watch out.
Peoplesmind
