Stories from Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ahead of the November 26 election in Ondo, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Hilda Harrison Ibifruro has read the riot acts to politicians in the state.
The Commissioner who addressed a gathering of leaders of all political parties in the state warned that the command would not tolerate any breach of the existing peace in the state before, during and after the election.
Mrs. Ibifruro said that the police would deal with any candidate that allows his supporters to organize unlawful protest and rallies that could lead to breakdown of law and order.
She also warned the various political parties and their supporters against indiscriminate tearing of opponent’s posters ahead of the poll.
While stressing the need for peace and tolerance during the electioneering campaigns, the CP boss called on the political parties to carry the Police along in their campaign activities to avoid clash among the parties.
She further assured all the political parties that adequate security would be provided for them and that the state police command would provide additional personnel to complement the existing ones during the poll.
Ondo APC sets up committee to pick running mate for Akeredolu
Ahead of the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up a five-man committee to screen a prospective Deputy Governorship candidate for the party.
The Committee which has the daughter of the first civilian governor of the State, Mrs Jumoke Anifowose as the chairperson has Dr Tunji Abayomi, Honourable Victor Adekanye Olabimtan, Dr Ayo Akinyelure, Mr Bankole Oluwajana, Dr Shaba and Mr Wale Akinterinwa as members.
The committee would screen the aspirants and recommend prospective running mate for Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the candidate of the party.
Already, 16 persons including the surrogate deputy governorship candidate, Honourable Agboola Ajayi have shown interest in the slot restricted to Ondo South and Central Senatorial districts.
Daily Sun gathered that out of the 19 prospective candidates, 13 are from the South while the rest six are from the Central district. The party would either pick from the South or Central senatorial district as the candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is from the North Senatorial District.Some of those who have shown interest in the deputy governor’s slot include, Sam Aderoboye, a former deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Omooba Abayomi Adesanya, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa, the APC’s candidate for Ilaje/Eseodo Federal Constituency in the last general elections and Boye Adegbemisoye, a former chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local government and Commissioner for Public Utilities. Also being considered are Chief Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, a former House of Representatives member representing Akure South and North Federal Constituency and Ade Adetimehin, the deputy chairman of the party in the state.
Speaking on the development, Akeredolu who confirmed that a search party has been constituted for the deputy governorship slot told reporters at the weekend that some names would be recommended to the party and top members to nominate from the list. He however said that the party has not decided on the running mate for him as he noted that a lot of variables would be considered including the qualification, value to be added to the ticket and the zone the person comes from.
He said: “On the issue of running mate, you wait for us and the party will decide. What happens normally about the issue of running mate is that , you set up a search party and they meet with those who are interested and few people have to be recommended and you sit down with the party and look at the pros and cons and the value that could be added to the ticket.
“We can assure you that by next week, we will conclude the issue of Deputy Governor.”
Monarch backs Jegede’s ambition
A prominent traditional ruler in Ondo State, the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun has thrown his weight
behind the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) ahead of the election. The monarch also dispelled the rumour that Akoko people were bitter as none of the leading political parties fielded one of their own as its standard bearer.
Oba Olanipekun who spoke while receiving Jegede in his palace, said Akoko land is dominated by educated and reasonable people, who know that a town of origin has no bearing with competence.
The monarch, who spoke in company of five other traditional rulers from other communities in the area, noted that what Akoko needs is development.
He stated that anger over which community produces the next governor of the state was needless.
“It is true that we wanted to produce a governor from Akoko land but we are not God. We have to accept the way things turned out and vote for a party where we will be relevant in Akoko.
“We have known Jegede for a long time and he is somebody we royal fathers and our subjects can approach.” Oba Olanipekun who assured Jegede of the support of all
Akoko monarchs, urged him to give priority to youth employment and rural development if given the mandate to govern the state.
He also urged the PDP candidate to see to the welfare of traditional rulers, as they represent government at the grassroots level. Also speaking, another monarch, the Owaage of Okeagbe, Oba Alex Jimoh urged Jegede, upon his election, to adopt a permanent security measure to curtail the excesses of Fulani herdsmen that have constituted a threat to farmers in his community. “We have had cases when these Fulani herdsmen attacked our farmers, killing some of them and even raping their wives,” he lamented.
In his response, Jegede assured the traditional rulers that their list of demands would be looked into and called for their support in sensitizing the people to vote for him to ensure continuity of the lofty programmes of the current administration.
