President Bola Tinubu led a delegation of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to Ondo State on Wednesday for the final campaign rally ahead of this weekend’s governorship election.
Among the party leaders present at the rally were National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, state governors, and others.
Tinubu, represented by his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, urged the people of Ondo State to vote for the APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as governor, describing him as the right leader to advance the state.
He characterized opposition parties as reactionary and noted that no former governor of the state, alive or deceased, would have supported any “reactionary party.”
He asserted that a vote for the APC would be a vote for progress, ensuring continued development in the South-West region.
Shettima said, “We bring you greetings from the President. If Ajasin were still alive, would he vote for the APC or a reactionary party? If Akeredolu were alive, would he vote for the APC or the reactionary party?
“Would Mimiko support the APC or a reactionary party? I urge you to come out en masse to vote for APC for the benefit of the South-West. Ondo State has two senior ministers, and to whom much is given, much is expected.
“This is the democracy we believe in—one that triumphs over propaganda, bitterness, lies, hate, and violence.
“Your vote is your voice, your conviction, and your message to those who underestimate the strength and will of the people of Ondo State.
“So, cast your vote. Your vote is your voice. On Saturday, I urge you to come out en masse.
“The President has good tidings for Ondo State, the South-West, and Nigeria. Just last week, he approved the establishment of a university teaching hospital here in Akure. The President deserves double kudos for his empathy.
“Ondo State has two senior ministers. The Minister of Interior is from Ondo, and the Minister of Youth Development is from Ondo. To whom much is given, much is equally expected.
“I want to thank you for standing in the sun for hours to hear this address. I want to convey our deep gratitude to you. The President holds the highest regard for the people of Ondo.
“You are a progressive state. Come out and vote for the progressive candidate. Come out en masse. We are winning all 18 local government areas.”
The Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for the Ondo Election, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, urged APC members to conduct themselves responsibly before and during the election, emphasizing that they should not confront opposition members but instead express their support for the APC with their votes.
Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the party would win Saturday’s election and pledged to return to thank the people of the state for their support.
The National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed strong support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy and later presented the party’s flag to the candidate and his running mate, Olayide Adelami.
In his address, APC candidate Aiyedatiwa expressed loyalty to his former boss, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, and said Akeredolu would have endorsed his candidacy to succeed him.
Aiyedatiwa promised the people of the state that he would drive further progress.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured that the party was fully prepared for victory, expressing confidence that Aiyedatiwa would win the election in all 18 local government areas of the state.
Other prominent figures at the rally included Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Minister of Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Youth Development Ayo Olawande, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Adams Oshiomole, and others.