Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, on Tuesday, formally declared his intention to run for the November governorship election in the state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aiyedatiwa who reassured the people of the state of his commitment to bring development to the state if voted as Governor and also restore the lost glory of the state.
The Ondo governor who spoke at the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade, Akure, the state capital promised to consolidate on the feats of his late principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, to build a modern Sunshine State if given the chance to govern the state.
Aiyedatiwa who described the years of the late former Akeredolu as unforgettable in the state said he joined hands with the late governor to emplace.transformational policies and programmes which have no doubt impacted positively on the development of the state.
He said the score cards speak glowingly on infrastructural development and provision of social amenities including roads, education and health, and said his late principal never stopped to echo his desire for him succeed Akeredolu
Aiyedatiwa, however, urged the people of the state to reject those seeking to buy their conscience with money in the forthcoming election.
He said “My dear people of Ondo State, the gubernatorial primary election is at hand. Your vote is a potent weapon that must be wisely used.
“We must reject those who seek to buy our conscience with money. We must stop those who seek to govern this State by muscles.
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“That is not what our late legends and founding fathers who once governed this State handed unto our generation.
“Today, I offer myself to lead, not to rule, to respect your wishes, not to dominate you, and to lead by example of humility, good character and empathy, which I have demonstrated in office since 2021.
“I remain the epitome of Omoluabi that you have always trusted. I urge you to vote for me as the candidate of our great party.
Aiyedatiwa said that the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu “would be proud of me as a worthy constitutional successor who has not derailed on the path of development we jointly pursued.
“Today, I have come before you in response to the popular yearnings and aspirations of our people to sustain this path of progress and development in the State.
“To the glory of God, I parade very rich political credentials and vast experience in governance.
“Without being immodest, the trajectory of my experiences in governance as former Representative of Ondo State on the Board of NDDC, one-time Deputy Governor, and three times Acting Governor under our late sage and now the incumbent Governor of Ondo State are is too material to be wished away.
“The poser therefore is whether or not to respect the people’s yearnings for sustainable good governance they have enjoyed in the last seven years. LThe people of Ondo State must not suddenly find themselves in Egypt. Never.
He however said “Today, I stand before you in all humility and with a fierce commitment to the greatness of our Sunshine State.
“I offer myself, in difference to your popular yearnings and upon wide consultations, not just to run the race, but to be the candidate of our great party, APC.in the 2024 gubernatorial election.
“I am fully prepared for this opportunity to re-enact the legacies of visionary, purposeful, competent leadership bequeathed to us by our founding fathers to build the future of Ondo State.
“My vision and mission for the people of Ondo State are greatly enriched, having served the State from 2021-2023, with our departed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, who in no small measure was an exemplar of purposeful and courageous leadership, empathy and good governance.
“I have a clear agenda to sustain Ondo State on the path of glory and development. Life must be more meaningful to our people
“My mission would focus on key developmental issues to alleviate poverty, banish hunger and make Ondo State self-sustaining. My development agenda is to emplace a State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS)”
Some of the leaders of the party at the venue of the declaration include, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, member of the state House of Representatives, Abiola Makinde, Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, urged the people of the state to vote Aiyedatiwa and allow him to continue his good work in the state.
TheWitness
