In just a few days to the Ondo state governorship election, Peter Fasua, candidate Social Democratic Party (SDP) stepped down and endorsed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the incumbent Governor and All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate. This took place just a few hours after Dele Ogunbameru, its state chairman led the chairmen of 10 other political parties to announce their support, Barr. Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Whilst speaking at a campaign rally in Idanre, the capital city of Akure, Fasua said ‘I am stepping aside from the race because my vision and that of our party is identical with the vision of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.’
‘When I cross-pollinated with the Governor during our debate on Sunday, I realized that most of my vision for the state was already expressed and initiated by Governor Akeredolu. He has done well. I am joining his train so that I can be part of the positive history the Governor is creating.’
‘So, we are collapsing our structure, offices, and everything at our disposal together to ensure that the plans to industrialize our state becomes a reality.’
The SDP chieftain also donated his campaign office and buses to the Akeredolu’s campaign organization.
In response to Fasua’s statement, Akeredolu thanked Fasua and SDP for placing the interest of the state above their personal interest, promising never to betray their trust in him.
‘Be rest assured that I will not disappoint you. My administration shall continue to deliver for the people. I will never derail,’ Akeredolu said.
Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, SDP member representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives also endorsed Akeredolu for reelection. He said ‘Mr. Governor has assured me that he would develop Idanre.’
‘We must realize that politics is all about interests and should not be played with emotions. Now that your leader has declared support for Akeredolu, we should agree with this decision and work for the victory of Akeredolu. This election is going to be operation win your units.’
‘I want to assure you that the governor will fulfill all his promises on developmental projects in Idanre and Ifedore. I should be blamed in the unlikely event that Governor Akeredolu did not fulfill his promises,’ Adefisoye told his supporters.
However, Mrs Rachel Ajayi, deputy governorship candidate of the SDP has announced her decision to support the PDP.
Ajayi, who spoke in Akure on Tuesday, said she backed the decision of her party to support the PDP in the election, adding that she was not part of the position taken by Fasua.
She stated, ‘I am a party person and I queue behind any position taken by my party and its leadership. The party has decided to support the Peoples Democratic Party as relayed by our state Chairman, Prince Dele Ogunbameru, and that is okay by me.
‘Fasua has never called me for once and he has not been carrying the party along in all his programmes. Everything about him is business, he is not prepared for this election and he has always been acting as an agent of the APC as revealed even during the governorship debate. To me, he should have contested under the APC’
‘The party is supreme and we are candidates sponsored by the party since we are not independent candidates. I do not support any activities that will undermine the supremacy of the party.’ She said.
There have also been accusations from both parties. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of fuelling violent attacks in the state through its campaign slogan. According to the party ‘The PDP campaign slogan for Ondo 2020 is ‘Eyitayo must not fail’.
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Its State Publicist, Alex Kalejaye, in a statement said: ‘its a new version of the old “do-or-die” approach to election matters. The APC has it on good authority that the PDP youths are easily moved to action once they hear the slogan. It is an indication that the PDP candidate and leaders are very desperate for power.’
The Peoples Democratic Party also accused security agencies of culpability in the unending violence allegedly perpetrated by supporters of the All progressive Congress (APC) ahead of the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State. The party raised an alarm over different attacks on its members. The party also asked the President to caution Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for allegedly causing violence in the state.
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state, President Buhari, Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), National Caretaker and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, and Mai Mala Buni; Yobe State Governor, Chairman, APC National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship election and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, and several leaders of the party used the opportunity to rally support for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
A few kilometres away, in Ondo city, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, at the final lap of the party’s campaign, said the APC and its candidate, Akeredolu, were jittery of the popularity of the PDP’s candidate, Prof. Eyitayo Jegede.
Certainly, one of the aforementioned candidates will emerge the governor of the state after the October 10 election.
Peace Omenka
Photo Credits: NaijaNews,StreetJournal, and EbonyHerald