The People United By Sports (PUBS) in Ondo state on Saturday, converged in Akure, the state capital, to show their support for the the governorship aspiration of the state Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa in the forthcoming primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC)
The group which consists of sports men and women from various segments of sport in the state, led by the former Sports Commissioner in the state, Bamidele Ologunloluwa, said the support became necessary because of his performance recorded within the last three months.
Speaking with journalists, the President of PUBS, Seun Betiku, said that the essence of the rally was to show support and solidarity for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
He explained that Aiyedatiwa has always supported sports and sports men and women in the state, saying he has contributed to the development of sport in the state and will do more if given the opportunity.
He said, “The essence of this walk is to show our support and solidarity for Honourable Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor, we are supporting him because he has performed.
“He was with us as the interim management committee chairman when we were about to go to relegation, we know what he did, he pulled us out of that relegation process, we appreciate what he did and we know he will do more if given the chance.
“We believe that in every family, there is a sport man or a sport woman, the message of knowing that Aiyedatiwa can do it for us will go a long way in sensitizing the people on what Aiyedatiwa can do for the society”.
Ologunloluwa, while speaking, said Aiyedatiwa had paid his dues for Sportsmen and women to show the level of support and wanted him to continue.
Ologunloluwa said Aiyedatiwa, while he was the Deputy and Acting Governor had shown that he understood the terrain, always present at any sports festival and always expressly approving budgets for athletes to represent the state both in and outside the state.
“This shows that we are in full support of this man and that we want continuity for the next four years and we are saying it is not out of place to allow the man to continue. Let everybody calm down, for the next four years, they should let Aiyedatiwa continue,” he said.
In his reaction, a trustee of PUBS, who is also the immediate past Chairman of House Committee of Finance and Appropriations in Ondo State, Sunday Olajide, described Governor Aiyedatiwa as the best man for the job
“He is the best man for the job, the passion he has can be feel in the last few months. He is a man with large heart, a team player and a complete gentle man who can do the work. He is doing everything possible to make sure that the state is going forward.
“If it’s someone else, rather than bringing everyone together, he would have made it a payback time for those that were against him during his trenches, but today I can tell you that he has brought everybody together and all that we can see is progress and development” he said.
Olajiden advised the leaders of the APC to encourage their members to give Aiyedatiwa a chance stating that failing to do so may lead to crisis in the state.
He said “My message to the party leaders is that they should encourage the party members to give this man a chance, the kind of peace we are enjoying in Ondo State now, we don’t want any distraction or crisis in the state.
“Virtually everybody has endorsed him, so if another person should be forced on us, then there will be a problem, people will revolt and we don’t want a crisis in the state, so let us enjoy this smooth ride and let the party enjoy people’s will.
“I’m sure the party leaders have their ears on the ground and know what is happening in Ondo State, they know that the man that is popular is the current governor and I’m sure they will give him the support”.
