Ondo 2024: No vacancy in Alagbaka, Aiyedatiwa tells APC leaders

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said there is no vacancy in the state’s government house, Alagbaka.

Aiyedatiwa said this while addressing leaders of APC across the 18 local government areas of the state on Monday in Akure.

“We must all come together as one family to work together for the progress of our party, knowing for sure this is an election here for us.

“An election to the office of the governor of Ondo State, even though the seat is not vacant currently.

“Let us work together in oneness and in peace so that our party, APC will continue to govern this state,” the governor stated.

The meeting had in attendance members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiti; some members of the State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladuni Odu; and former Deputy Governors — Alhaji Ali Olanusi and Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo.

Others include Ambassador Sola Iji; former SSG, Hon. Sunday Abegunde; member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Biola Makinde; Chief Segun Ojo; Chief Jamiu Ekungba; Mrs Jumoke Anifowoshe, among many others.

Aiyedatiwa stressed the need for all contending forces within the party to come together to move the party and the state forward.

The governor said: “It is important for me to tell you that as leaders of our party, we must put behind us the events of the last few months and come together as one big family for the progress of the APC and the development of our dear State.

“To me, what happened in the past was just politics. It was not a fight; it was not a battle; it was mere politics and I can say that I did not take any offence from that.

“The most important thing for us is to remain as one big family. There should be no division in our party.

“There is the need to make our party stronger and that necessitated the idea of this enlarged stakeholders meeting to bring everybody on board. Our party leaders and members are critical stakeholders that we cannot afford to neglect.

“There have been complaints from many of our party officers at local levels of not being carried along in the scheme of things. That must now be a thing of the past. All our party officers from ward to local government to State levels will be given the recognition they deserve.”

Aiyedatiwa promised to liaise with the leadership of the party to ensure the smooth running of the party structure, regular stakeholders’ engagement and the operations of the Leaders’ Caucus and the Governor’s Advisory Council.

On the forthcoming governorship election in the State, the governor urged the party leaders to ensure peaceful conduct of aspirants and their followers, adding that there must be a rancorous-free primary and peaceful governorship election in the State.

He paid glowing tributes to former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and promised that the state government will work with his family to give him a befitting state burial and to immortalize him.

Aiyedatiwa thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing keen interest in the peace and development of Ondo State, adding that the president is happy with the current tranquillity being enjoyed in the state.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the APC, Engr Ade Adetimehin, commended the governor for the timely engagement of party stakeholders, and appealed to party leaders to put the past behind to foster unity ahead of the coming governorship election.