• APC-USA mourns as Oluwajana pleads with gov to unite party
• Ex-governor’s appointees betrayed him, says Odebowale
A socio-cultural group, the Imade Development Association (IDA), at the weekend, appealed to Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to honour his late boss, former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, by appointing a deputy governor from Owo.
According to the group, the request will make up for the loss of Akeredolu, who died a few days ago after a long battle with prostate cancer.
The IDA, while expressing sadness over the demise of Akeredolu, cautioned against actions that might further escalate divisions along ethnic and political divides within the state.
The group’s Chairman, Segun Ogunbadeniyi; Secretary, Femi Fadaisi and Publicity Secretary, Julius Adesola, while addressing newsmen during a press conference, emphasised the strong interest of the Owo ethnic group in presenting a candidate for the position of deputy governor.
They stressed that with the passing of Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, it is crucial to safeguard the interests and aspirations of the ancient town.
The mainstream Owo group, however, urged Aiyedatiwa to promote things that would bring peace and unity to the state.
MEANWHILE, the All Progressives Congress (APC), United States (U.S.) chapter, yesterday, mourned the demise of Akeredolu, whom it described as a Nigerian, courageous politician and someone that showered determination to ensure security of Nigerians, especially the Yorubaland, in the face of terrorism and other criminal vices.
The chapter, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Prof. AdesegunLabinjo and National Secretary, Feyi Tijani, expressed condolence to members of Ondo APC, Akeredolu’s family, especially the wife, Betty, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded the deceased and entire members of APC, including President Bola Tinubu.
It, however, called on the new governor and members of Ondo State chapter of APC to quickly put their house in order and get set for the task ahead, bearing in mind that the best honour they could give the late governor is to ensure that APC wins the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state.
However, a former National Vice Chairman of APC South-West, Bankole Oluwajana, has said that the major task ahead of the new governor is to rebuild Ondo APC, reunite the party members and initiate policies that would repose the confidence of the electorate in the ruling party.
Oluwajana admonished members of Ondo APC and all admirers of the party that the best way to remember Akeredolu, especially now that election is approaching, is to work as a team, saying: “The demise of Akeredolu must not divide us but rather make APC stronger and successful.”
IN another development, a close ally of Akeredolu, Dr Doyin Odebowale, at the weekend, revealed that some appointees of the deceased governor betrayed him as they allegedly worked against his interest.
Odebowale, a former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategies to the late governor, said that those Akeredolu trusted capitalised on his ill-health to push their own agenda.
He described his late boss as a weakling who mismanaged his health.
