Ahead of the November 16 Governorship election in Ondo state, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has called on members of Ebira community in the state to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to sustain the laudable achievements of the APC government in the state.
Governor Ododo who is the deputy chairman of the election management and strategy committee of the Ondo State Governorship Election Campaign Council made the call while addressing a mammoth crowd at the APC rally held at the Mobil Roundabout in Owo town on Saturday.
The Governor described Ondo state as a second home for Ebiras and urged the Ebira community to repeat the feat exemplified in the 2020 Governorship election during which the APC recorded overwhelming victory in the state.
“I have come to thank you for the support you gave the APC in the last governorship election in Ondo state.
“I am aware that we have a large population of our people in Owo, Ifo and Ose local government areas, as well as other parts of Ondo state and I want you to take our message to all of them.
“Come November 16, 2024, I urge you to vote for the APC and Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the Governor of Ondo State” Governor Ododo stated.
He assured the people of Ondo State that the APC and its candidate Lucky Aiyedatiwa will deliver the desired dividends of democracy to the people of the state by improving physical infrastructure, access to education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agricultural development, and security of lives and property across communities in the state.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the interest shown in revitalizing the Ajaokuta steel complex by the federal government which he noted is of strategic importance to the people of Kogi state, Governor Ododo reaffirmed the commitment of the APC administration at both national and sub-national levels to recognize and reward the people for the confidence reposed in the party.
He described Governor Aiyedatiwa as a tested hand who can be trusted to build on the pedestal of growth and development already attained by Ondo state under the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who died in December, 2023.
“We know Governor Aiyedatiwa, he has been tested and can be trusted. We want continuity and consolidation and he has started very well.
“I want to let you know that the Ebira, Igala and Okun communities in Ondo state are hundred percent behind you. They will all come out en masse on November 16 to vote for you”, Governor Ododo assured.
In his response, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the importance of unity and peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups residing in Ondo state.
He promised to create more opportunities for non-indigenous communities in the state if elected in the November 16 election.
On his part, chairman of the APC in Kogi state, Abdullahi Bello who was on the entourage of Governor Ododo commended the unity and cooperation between the Kogi indigenes and the people of Ondo state, assuring that the level of understanding will translate into massive votes for the APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa in the November governorship election in the state.
Earlier, during a courtesy call by Governor Ododo on the Ohinoyi of Anebira in Owo, His Royal Highness, Adayi Isa Ahmed said he was excited to receive the Kogi State Governor in Owo, assuring that the Ebira community in Owo will vote for the APC candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the governorship election.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for appointing five members of the Ebira community into positions of authority in his administration and promised that the people will reciprocate the kind gesture by mobilizing more votes than what was achieved in the last governorship election in the state.
The APC rally in Owo was attended by members of the Ebira community from Utose, Omolonge, Utelu, Agopanu and others from the six local government areas in Ondo north senatorial district and other parts of the state.
Ismaila Isah
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor
November 2, 2024