The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola Tinubu, has solicited the support of traditional rulers in Ondo for the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Making the appeal at the Dome International Event Centre, Akure, during an interactive session with traditional rulers on Saturday, Tinubu dismissed insinuations that there was a rift between him and Akeredolu.
“Don’t listen to them. Some people can go to any length to lie against other people. We are not fighting, Odua people need to be united.
“Our monarchs, your support is needed, though you have assured us that you have agreed to ensure Akeredolu comes back for second term,” he said.
Tinubu said Ondo people had seen the good things such as roads, agricultural developments, schools, industrial park that Akeredolu has done in the state.
“We have commissioned the Revenue House today and he has assured us of bringing back the produce marketing board. He has also guaranteed employment for youths across the state.
“Kabiyesis, our schools that you have built and sent us to has brought us where we are today. If we don’t invest in education like Akeredolu has done, our children will lag behind.
“Youths need jobs, our youths who are left at home need to be catered for because we cannot leave them. We want a second term.
“Please, we are here to tell and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983,” he said.
Tinubu, therefore, charged the traditional rulers to speak with their chiefs and subjects to ensure that Akeredolu was re-elected.
Earlier, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, gave assurance of the support of the traditional rulers for the second term bid of the governor.
“The flag-off of the deep sea port, Araromi-Lekki-Ibeju Road, Overhead bridge in Ore, and many roads across the state.
“He also upgraded traditional rulers from grade D to C,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, Akeredolu promised to do more, with the support of the traditional rulers, if he was reelected for a second term.
The governor, who said the election was for Oodua people, explained that it was the turn for a Yoruba presidency by 2023, hence the importance of APC retaining the seat in Ondo State.
“This progressive party must continue to be in Ondo. What happened in Oyo state must not happen here. Talk to your people because this election is for Oodua people,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event included Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer national chairman of APC.
