From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer for the November 26 election in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) got a major boost on Saturday. The occasion which had President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance was the grand finale of his campaign rally. For all those who witnessed the event, it sent a message that the APC was the party to beat in the election. All roads led to Akure, the Ondo State capital when loyalists of the party from the 18 local government areas of the state and beyond converged in solidarity for the APC candidate.
From the three senatorial districts that make up Ondo State, the APC faithful and non members of the party trooped to Democracy Park, venue of the rally and assured Akeredolu of their readiness to support him in the coming election.
From Akoko to Okitipupa, Akure to Ondo, Owo to Idanre, Ilaje to Ese-Odo divisions of the state, people came in their number not only to catch a glimpse of President Buhari who addressed the tumultuous crowd after several hours of waiting under the sun, but to show their love for Akeredolu and reassure him of their support for him in his desire to rule the state.
The rally was witnessed by almost all the governorship aspirants who contested the September 3 primary election with Akeredolu also provided avenue for President Buhari to meet with them. Daily Sun reports that Buhari engaged the aspirants and other party members in a meeting that lasted for almost an hour before the rally kicked off.
Except for Dr Olusegun Abraham believed to be the anointed candidate of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Olusola Oke who is now the governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), every other governorship aspirant of the party attended the rally and they reiterated their readiness to work for the victory of the party.
The rally also provided ample opportunity for President Buhari to express his feelings on the present economic situation of the country as he appealed to Nigerians, especially the people of Ondo State to bear with his government, assuring that better days will soon come for the country. It was the first time President Buhari will be visiting the state after he emerged the President. The President who was in the state in 2015 to solicit the support of the people of the state, at that time came in company of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu. However, the Saturday’s visit was different as Tinubu was conspicuously absent in the entourage of Buhari despite his position as the party’s National Leader and power broker of the party in the South West.
Although the absence of Tinubu and some of his loyalists including the Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola may not be unconnected with the leadership crisis rocking the party (APC), no official reason was given for his absence, even though provision was not made for him in the sitting arrangement made by the protocol officers before the rally.
Other notable leaders of the APC absent at the campaign rally were the first National Chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr Akinwumi Ambode.
As early as 7.00am, APC faithful from all parts of the state and non members of the party who are sympathizers had started trooping to the Democracy Park, venue of the rally, a ground big enough to occupy 250,000 people at once. The passion which many people expressed in the programme caused traffic congestion in many parts of Akure, as they all rushed to the venue of the rally and remained there till 3.00pm when the programme ended.
Major Commercial activities in Akure, the state capital and other neighbouring towns were halted for several hours as a result of the campaign rally as many did not open their shops, even as many roads were blocked in honour of the President and his team. Also, the President’s visit provided avenue for some traders to make money as they sold all manner of things at the venue of the rally.
The President who was accompanied by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf in his remarks said the process through which Akeredolu emerged as the APC candidate was transparent, hence his support for him and his belief in his vision to transform the state.
Also in the entourage of President Buhari were the governors of Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Imo, Rochas Okorocha, Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Kogi, Mr Yahaya Bello, Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Jigawa, Alhaji Badaru Abubarka and Plateau, Simeon Lalong.
Others were the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole among others.
President Buhari who appealed to aggrieved members of the APC in the state to join hands with Akeredolu for the success of the party in the Saturday’s election, said he was convinced to attend the rally following the transparent way by which Akeredolu emerged.
He said: “we have all come from all parts of the country to show our solidarity and support for our brother, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu. I wish to call on the people of Ondo State to cast their votes for APC in the governorship election, even as I appeal to aggrieved members of our great party to support Akeredolu in the interest of our great party, which is greater than any individual.”
The President added: “the primary election of the party held on September 3, 2016 was free, fair and credible and I have no doubt in my mind that the best and most acceptable person within the party emerged through the primary.” He called on the people of the state to support Akeredolu to ensure a total transformation of the state.
“Keeping yourselves under this heavy sun shows that you are disciplined and I am very proud of my party the way it conducted the last primary election. People of Ondo State, make up your mind, tell your people to vote for the candidate of the party come November 26, we are going to win God willing,” Buhari stated.
Addressing the crowd earlier, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki urged the people of the state to vote for APC in the coming election so as to join the mainstream politics of the country, saying there are lots of benefits in voting for Akeredolu.
He urged the electorate not to be deceived by other political parties, adding: “look at all the candidates, is it about quality, capacity, maturity and the rest. So, come November 26, go out and make sure you vote for Akeredolu and also tell your neighbours .”
Also, speaking at the rally, the Chairman APC Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, said all the governors of the party in the country are solidly behind Akeredolu.
Okorocha said: “Ondo State must join the progressive states in Nigeria; therefore, we must vote for Akeredolu and ensure that he wins the election. Akeredolu rejected federal appointments because he loves you people. He wants to serve you, so vote for him.”
The National Chairman of the party, Chief Oyegun while presenting the party’s flag to Akeredolu said: “Akeredolu is a tested and trusted person who is willing and able to transform Ondo State within the shortest possible time if elected the governor of the state.”
The representative of the APC gubernatorial aspirants, Mr Tunji Abayomi, assured the President that all the aspirants have resolved to deliver Ondo State to APC, adding that “no single aspirant left the party after the primaries. Those who left the party were not party members; they returned to where they belonged.”
He said Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was eminently qualified to lead the state, stressing that “we have fielded an experienced, informed, hardworking and capable legal practitioner to work with President Buhari to carry out massive industrial development, job creation, eradication of poverty and massive economic improvement in the nation.” The governorship candidate, Chief Akeredolu in his speech reiterated his desire to provide employment opportunity, create jobs and develop the state if elected the governor, adding that his desire to transform the state was borne out of the abundant natural resources embedded in the state.”
He urged the people of the state to give maximum support to him come Saturday and resist attempt by other political parties to rig the election, stressing that the APC is the only party that has the interest of the masses at heart.