In this interview, the Ondo State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Wale Akinlosotu, expresses confidence that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will win the November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state. Excerpts:
The battle for Alagbaka Government House is on. What stands Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa out as the candidate to beat?
You called it a battle. But I will say an electoral contest between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress on one side and candidates of the other political parties participating in the election on the other side. It will be an easy ride for the governor to secure re-election on November 16, 2024 because of two things.
One is the position of APC, the political party presenting him. The party is solid, on sound footing, and acceptable to the people of Ondo State. That is why the party won the last two governorship elections.
The superlative performance of the party since it got to power in the state makes it a darling to the majority of the people of Ondo.
The second is the candidate, Aiyedatiwa, who was deputy governor and now the sitting governor in the last 10 months. He hit the ground running immediately on assumption of office and has a lot of achievements to his credit as governor within the short time. He continued from where the late Governor stopped and Ondo State has been better off for what he did in all sectors of economy in the state within a short time.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s love for the development of all parts of the state daily endears him to the people of Ondo State. That is why you see that even members of the opposition parties are applauding him and joining our party that if he can do all he is doing within only 10 months, if his contract with the people of the state is renewed with votes on November 16, the state will be better for it. Also, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s mien and the man of peace that he is attract him to people as well as development to the state.
These, coupled with his achievements, the new-look Ondo State under him and his superlative promises for the second term especially that the people know him as a promise keeper make him stand out as the candidate to beat in the election.
But the opposition parties have complained about his poor performance?
You cannot but expect such from the vicious opposition we have in the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa has performed exceedingly well in office in just 10 months. People cannot but marvel at what he has achieved and question where he gets finances to execute all the projects and programmes that he has put in place across the state.
It will interest you to know that the reasonable and objective ones among the opposition members can see what the governor has done and what he is still doing and appreciate him. This is the reason opposition party members are coming in droves to join our party, APC, to be part of the winning train and the party delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
How will you associate somebody who is touching the people’s lives through the developments going on in the different sectors and areas of the state with poor performance? That is what you hear from opposition that is averse to growth and progress.
Let us look at Governor Aiyedatiwa from the perspective of the basic function of government viz-a-viz welfare and security of lives and property, which he takes as priority.
He demonstrates that he is worker-friendly through meeting their welfare and sundry needs including promotion and clearing of their backlog of unpaid salaries and pension arrears.
To lessen the impact of fuel subsidy removal on workers, the governor approved a monthly palliative allowance for all public workers.
He approved N73, 000 as the new minimum wage for workers at a time many states are still dilly dallying. He spared thoughts for those in the informal sector, including struggling entrepreneurs, petty traders, artisans, and peasant farmers, by approving over N2 billion as soft loans, which they can assess to grow their ventures.
The Aiyedatiwa government is prioritising the needs of the rural areas. He has commissioned the sinking of 54 boreholes in rural communities for potable water and as well approved installation of 1600 solar-powered streetlights for illumination and security.
When the recent food inflation reared its head as a challenge across the country, he rose to the occasion in Ondo State with immediate palliative measures as well as lasting solutions through taking steps to ensure food sufficiency in the state.
As part of efforts to make food available to the people at affordable prices, the Aiyedatiwa government came up with the Thursday Market at the Ministry of Agriculture where affordable foodstuffs are available and the ongoing test-running of purchase of grains like rice, beans, garri to sell directly to the masses ahead of full-time commencement are part of efforts.
“This is the reason opposition party members are coming in droves to join our party, APC, to be part of the winning train and the party delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state”
The government is also supporting farmers in the areas of land cultivation and distribution of farm tools/equipment and inputs to boost food production and as well serve as attraction to others including youths to farming.
The governor is not leaving any stone unturned in the bid to ensure security of lives and property. He is giving needed logistic support to the security agencies to be more effective in the discharge of their duties.
He has also strengthened the Amotekun Security Network so that the communities, roads and farms can be secured.
The governor has commenced his campaign in the state. How would you assess the reception given to the governor so far at the campaign rallies?
Don’t forget that Governor Aiyedatiwa runs an inclusive government style. People are carried along in the administration. He has appointed so many aides. Can you remember he recently appointed about 344 Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants in one day in fulfillment of his promise of involving everybody in government? These people are from different homes and communities where their impacts are being felt. You should expect such communities to naturally identify with such a governor.
That is exactly what we have seen in our campaign rallies so far. We have held the campaign rallies in the three senatorial districts, and we are now to begin the local government campaigns.
Our campaigns have been exciting, issue-based, and carnival-like and as well in an atmosphere of celebration of the expected victory. The beauty of it all is that our party leaders are united in their support for the party candidate, as shown in the campaigns. The rallies so far have been avenues to receive defectors from the opposition parties into APC. The crowd of party members, supporters, and people who want to vote for the governor at each of the three senatorial campaign rallies is a sign of the victory expected on November 16.
It is getting better. We are telling them to convert their attendance at the rallies to vote for APC on November 16. We are telling them to get their PVCs ready to re-elect Governor Aiyedatiwa. The governor, who has landmark achievements to point to everywhere, is telling the gatherings what he has done and making them know what he will do in the next four years when re-elected. Excellent campaign rallies depicting love for and acceptance of the governor.
To what extent does the Governor enjoy the support of the APC at the national level?
The APC is one united big family, so you should not expect less. Governor Aiyedatiwa is a governor on the APC platform and enjoys cordial relationships with the APC-controlled Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu and the party’s national leadership and as well the zonal leadership.
Remember that Governor Aiyedatiwa was the Chairman, Election Planning and Strategy Committee of the APC for the recently conducted Edo State governorship election. We are expecting the APC leaders and national leadership at the flag off (or/and) grand finale of the Ondo State APC governorship election campaign. That is what will finally seal the fate of the opposition parties in the November 16 election.
