.Urges electorate to resist those seeking votes through intimidation, money
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, formally declared his intention to run for governor of the state, almost two months after the demise of his boss, the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa, who made the declaration at the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, urged the electorate, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the primaries of the party not to be swayed by those seeking to buy their conscience with money.
According to the governor, it was the desire of his erstwhile boss to succeed him as the next governor of the state, but not in death, stressing that the infrastructural development and provision of social amenities would be continued under his administration.
He further stated that those seeking to rule the state by intimidation must be resisted by the people, as the state is known for excellence.
He said: “Just about this time three years ago, our late leader and former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and my humble self as deputy governor, mounted the soap box to seek support to govern this blessed state. You all gladly gave your support and ensured our victory under the joint ticket of the APC.
“In no time, upon assumption of office, we emplaced transformational policies and programmes, which have no doubt impacted positively on the development of the Sunshine State.
“Our scorecards speak glowingly about infrastructural development and provision of social amenities, including roads, education and health.
“We also parade some rich credentials in industrialisation and the security and welfare of the people. Our greatest strength today in the state, compared to other regions in Nigeria, is the huge sense of security and peace that we enjoy as a result of the birth of the South West Security Network, code-named Amotekun Corps, and which form the substructures of our developmental strides as a people.
“We cannot but continue to give accolades to our deceased leader, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, under whose tutelage and joint partnership we have been able to accomplish these giant strides.
“My dear people of Ondo State, the gubernatorial primary election is at hand. Your vote is a potent weapon that must be wisely used. We must reject those who seek to buy our conscience with money. We must stop those who seek to govern this state with their muscles. That is not what our late legends and founding-fathers, who once governed this state, handed to our generation.”
“Today, I offer myself to lead, not to rule, to respect your wishes, not to dominate you, and to lead by example of humility, good character, and empathy, which I have demonstrated in office since 2021.
“I remain the epitome of ‘Omoluabi’ that you have always trusted. I urge you to vote for me as the candidate of our great party.”
